The Price Isn’t Right
by Larry Gilbert

Reporter Mona Shadia's front-page headline in the Oct. 18 Saddleback Valley News/OC Register reads "Dog park needs more money." Her subtitle reads: "Additional funds would push the price tag to $1.4 million."

I have covered Mission Viejo's million-dollar dog park in a prior Facebook post as well as in the August issue of www.ccsense.com http://www.ccsense.com/2013/09/the-million-dollar-dog-park.html where I challenged the Register reporter to disclose the entire project cost as of that date. Reporter Mona Shadia had reported $888,888, yet according to city documents the tab was $1,121,176. However, that is not the end of the project.

There is a major difference between incompetent project management and outright staff deception. In the case of the dog park, at my request, Mayor Reardon asked staff to provide the total estimated cost before we approved the initial contract. It is unconscionable that Assistant City Manager Keith Rattay chose to avoid answering her valid question.

Fast forward to the recent request for $190,600 for additional irrigation. Now let's get real. Did staff ever foresee that we would have a dust bowl after all the cut and fill creating this park?

Quoting from the Oct. 18 News. Mayor Pro Tem Trish Kelley said "it was clear all along that the initial construction of the dog park did not include the entire irrigation system." She adds: "We knew from the outset that the initial funding for the dog park was just bare bones and there would be other things that would come along, and the irrigation system will allow us to have the opportunity now to begin planting."

Trish. As you knew what other features and materials would be added, why weren't we told from the outset?

After we hammered staff for 15 Change Orders to one contractor on the expansion of the Norman P Murray Community Center (where the project cost tripled), staff resorted to a method to avoid cost overrun feedback from the public. We'll simply initiate Capital Improvement Projects in "Phases." Using this method they can avoid resident complaints. Once a project has commenced, these additions often appear as "routine items" on the Consent calendar.

Hey, we're even going to add a boulder climbing wall for dogs in this state-of-the-art park.

Staff Activities Have Priority

The city of Laguna Niguel recently lowered rental rates it charges the public for meeting rooms. An official from Laguna Niguel said, “The city’s goal is to provide service, not to generate revenue at the expense of its residents. Our taxpayers paid for the facilities, and we understand the concept of paying twice.”

The contrast in attitudes is stark between the cities of Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo.

In Mission Viejo, a primary reason for high rent and scarcity of meeting room space is the constant use of facilities by the city staff. Staff-generated activities have first priority and artificially raise the price for everyone else. Taxpayers should look at the sheer number of city activities, meetings and events that monopolize facilities, often at “no cost” to attendees. If the city charged participants for the full cost of the activity, virtually no one would come to such classes as how to clean out a closet or use a cell phone.

Mission Viejo’s city hall building contains numerous conference rooms for the exclusive use of city staff. Amazingly, staff-generated meetings spill over into other facilities. Such activities also compete with citizens’ paid use of the space. Unless private citizens pay to rent a room for their meetings, they aren’t permitted even to sit in a meeting room at the community center. Meeting rooms are locked and guarded by city employees to keep citizens out.

As an example of city staff’s priorities, anyone who attempted to park near the community center on Oct. 18 found the closest parking lot blocked off for the city’s use. Guests at a wedding reception and attendees of sports meetings parked elsewhere because city-owned canopies and a truck occupied the parking lot. The city could have placed all its tents on the sports field, and the truck could have parked adjacent to the sports field.

The city staff demonstrates with its quarterly activity mailers why rental space is scarce and expensive. The extensive schedule of daily classes, meetings and events generated by city employees also demonstrates how the city staff grew to more than 250 employees. Relatively few of them are involved in essential public services. The council majority – usually voting 4-1 with Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht in the minority – enables the growth of government.

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise and non-profit groups.

Big Bucks Bingo, Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m. early bird and 6:45 p.m. regular games, Mission Viejo Elks Lodge, Marguerite and La Paz, Mission Viejo, 949-830-3557. 
http://www.mvelks.com/

Halloween Kids Boo Cruise at Dana Wharf Sportfishing, Fri., Oct. 25, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., every 20 minutes. All proceeds benefit Us Too Gymnastics and Community Autism NOW. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, (949) 496-5794, http://www.danawharf.com/cruises.html

Soka University, Halloween Fair and Haunted House, Fri.-Sat., Oct. 25-26, 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Recreation Center. Italian Opera Festival, Fri.-Sun., Oct. 25-27, includes “A Night in Venice,” “Viva Verdi,” and “Baroque Passion.” Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://www.performingarts.soka.edu

Orange County Chocolate Festival, Sat., Oct. 26, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This year’s event benefits the Orange County Food Bank. Hyatt Regency Orange County, 11999 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, (949) 514-9278, (714) 916-4079, info@ocChocolateFestival.com , http://occhocolatefestival.eventbrite.com/

Fall Fest hosted by Compass Bible Church, Thurs., Oct. 31, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., free, family-oriented event, costumes are encouraged (no scary ones, please), Compass Bible Church, 150 Columbia, Aliso Viejo, http://fallfest.publishpath.com/

The Laguna Playhouse presents Noel Coward’s “Fallen Angels,” through Nov. 3, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, http://purchase.lagunaplayhouse.com/single/psDetail.aspx?psn=3576

Mount of Olives Church, Sun., Nov. 3, (first Sunday of each month) bring food for the SHARE Food Drive, http://moochurch.org/share . Mount of Olives Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 837-7467, http://www.moochurch.org/

Concordia University’s Studio Theatre presents “Falling,” Fri.-Sat., Nov. 8-9, 7:30 p.m., drama about a family raising an autistic teenager, 1530 Concordia West, Irvine, (949) 854-8002, http://www.cui.edu/AcademicPrograms/Undergraduate/Music/tabid/302/ctl/Details/Mid/2322/I temID/161/Default.aspx

St. Kilian’s Recycling Drive, Sat., Nov. 16, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, held on the third Saturday of each month. Organized by Knights of Columbus; acceptable items include aluminum, paper and plastic. No glass or cardboard. Lower parking lot, 26872 Estanciero Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 472-1249, http://www.stkilianchurch.org

La Vida Drum Circle, Sun., Nov. 17, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., group meets on the evening of every full moon (Nov. 17, Dec. 17, Jan. 16, Feb. 15, etc.). Drummers should bring their drums. Firewood is appreciated for the bonfire, Aliso Beach, Aliso and Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 275-7544, http://www.lavidalaguna.com/things-we-dig/

Political and Government Events Calendar

Orange County Board of Supervisors will hold a regular meeting on Tues., Oct. 22, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. http://ocgov.com/cals/?ViewBy=7&CalDate=1/15/2013&EventDateID=89649

Saddleback Valley Unified School District board will meet “if necessary” on Tues., Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m. The next regular board meeting is Tues., Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet on Wed., Oct. 23, 7:00 p.m., district office, 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano. Agenda and supporting documentation are published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/

Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors will meet on Wed., Oct. 23, at 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com

Nixon Library concert on Sun., Oct. 27, concert pianist Lisa Zecchini. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 2:00 p.m. On Mon., Nov. 4, 7:00 p.m., “Meet Ann Coulter,” Distinguished Speakers Series Lecture and Book Signing, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://nixonfoundation.org

SOC912, Fri., Nov. 8, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Norm Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. A $5 donation at the door will help pay for costs; free to first-time visitors and young people through age 24. http://www.meetup.com/SOC912/events/145277542/

OC Veterans Advisory Council, Wed., Nov. 11, 6:00 p.m. The council meets on the second Wednesday of each month. Veterans Service Office, Conference Room A/B, 1300 S. Grand Ave., Building B, Santa Ana, https://cms.ocgov.com/gov/occr/occs/veterans/advisory/default.asp

Mission Viejo Chapter of ACT! for America will hold a General Meeting on Mon., Nov. 11. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m., at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. The organization meets on the second Monday of the month.

Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Personnel and Salary on Wed., Nov. 13, 9:00 a.m., Engineering and Operations on Mon., Nov. 18, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Finance and Information Technology on Wed., Nov. 20, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Nov. 21, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., MNWD Main Office, 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://mnwd.com/board-of-directors-2/

Capistrano Valley Republican Women Federated, Wed., Nov. 20, 9:00 a.m., at the Marbella Country Club, 30800 Golf Club Drive, San Juan Capistrano. CVRWF meets on third Wednesdays of most months. Call (949) 496-2525 for reservations, http://cvrwf.org

Saddleback Republican Assembly, Thurs., Nov. 21, 7:00 p.m. SRA meets on third Thursdays (except in July, August and December) at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo. For information call (949) 769-1412.

The Buzz

The Oct. 15 resignation of Lake Forest Councilman Peter Herzog was reported in the OC Register, but it didn’t include Herzog’s letter of explanation. Art Pedrosa’s county blog reported Herzog’s resignation with a link to his letter, first posted by Lake Forest Patch http://ocpoliticsblog.com/lake-forest-councilman-herzog-resigns-unexpectedly/

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Here’s an article about the blowup following an Orange County Fire Authority official’s “unfortunate email” appearing to give current ambulance contractors preferential treatment in new bids, http://www.voiceofoc.org/countywide/county_government/article_55a32698-3083-11e3-9c9e-001a4bcf887a.html#user-comment-area . Advocating ethics and open government is a Mission Viejo resident, Stephen Wontrobski. As confirmation on how effective Wontrobski has become, OCFA threw him out of a meeting, as described in the article.

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Has OCFA Fire Marshal Laura Blaul been placed on administrative leave? No official announcement can be found as of this writing. Her name became known in 2012 during contentious hearings and a council majority decision to rezone half the community into high-risk fire zones. Residents said Blaul gave incorrect information, and they challenged her during the hearings. In February, Blaul received a one-week suspension after an audit found hundreds of businesses were billed for hazmat inspections OCFA didn’t conduct. City watchdogs indicated any action against Blaul last week probably was related to the hazmat inspections rather than the fire map debacle. Over strong objections from residents, the Mission Viejo council proceeded with fire map rezoning, voting 4-1 with Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht dissenting.

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Here’s a link to the Oct. 21Mission Viejo council agenda, http://dms.cityofmissionviejo.org/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=2108&doctype=agenda . The party noise ordinance is back – Item No. 12. When Councilwoman Trish Kelley was pushing it two months ago, the draft ordinance was poorly written, and it appeared to violate Constitutional rights. Ms. Kelley apparently believes she has three votes to pass it. The title is Ordinance Pertaining to Public Cost Recovery for Multiple Calls to Disruptive Gatherings.

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Also note Agenda Item No. 14, Cal Card Program and Activity. This item resulted from Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht’s questions after she discovered the city was putting substantial amounts on a charge card. This blog reported the numbers two weeks ago, a total of $629,616.67 in four years:

06/30/10:      $  37,544.37
06/30/11:      $131,690.62
06/30/12:      $209,644.47
06/31/13:      $250,737.21

Additional information has come out: 30 cards are being used by eight departments. If this isn’t a slush fund, can the city staff demonstrate that all amounts on the 30 cards have been appropriately charged to corresponding accounts or projects? The staff should also be able to demonstrate that all amounts -- $629,616.67 – were appropriately reconciled. Given that city hall has the taxpayers’ checkbook and City Manager can write $30,000 checks at his discretion, why does any city employee have a charge card?

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Councilman Dave Leckness would like to change the logo of Orange County Vector Control. According to Leckness, no one knows what “vector” means. Since Leckness is challenged by any word with more than one syllable, he didn’t understand when someone told him vectors are disease carriers – e.g., rodents and insects. Too many syllables. When Leckness gives a report as the city’s Vector Control representative, the council majority members can’t stop laughing. Who says death and disease aren’t funny? Message to voters: get rid of these clowns.

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Mission Viejo’s city staff has taken advantage of young volunteers, diverting them into doing unpaid labor on city contract work. In July, young people planted vegetation on a city slope. In August, a city employee said Boy Scouts should clear brush in open spaces ( http://www.ccsense.com/2013/09/send-in-boy-scouts.html ). Such cleanup would have involved chain saws, wood chippers and heavy equipment. City officials are now saying “the public will be engaged” in planting vegetation in the dog park. City officials also tried to deflect blame by saying scout leaders came to them in search of a volunteer project. Perhaps the employees couldn’t grasp they had been asked for contact information for legitimate charities.

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Not every adult leader of a youth group knows where to look for an appropriate project for young volunteers – e.g., humanitarian causes and legitimate charities with non-profit status. Instead of directing a scout leader to an appropriate resource or just saying no, city hall said “come on down.” Children were then “engaged” in manual labor for the city without pay. The youth group’s time, talent and good intentions fell into the hands of city employees who are supposed to oversee contract work performed by businesses. Residents should ask how the city became so confused. Assistant City Manager Keith Rattay now offers the excuse, “We didn’t ask them. They came to us looking for a project.”

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Save the date, Wed., Dec. 4, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., for an Open House hosted by State Senator Mark Wyland. The location is 27126A Paseo Espada, # 1621, San Juan Capistrano. The event will support the Food Drive for Serra’s Pantry. RSVP to (949) 489-9838. Paid for with private funds, not tax dollars.

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