More information can be found at ocvote.com/votecenter
OC Voter Update 2019
Author: LBChat
Candidate’s Public Background Records
LBChat has compiled candidate statements, websites/podcasts, news articles and public information obtained from candidates and public information sources. This includes Campaign Finance Disclosure 460 Forms. And, this year we are setting the vetting bar higher by including the California Public Record Act Code# 6253 (CPRA) Laguna Beach Police contacts: arrests, restraining orders, repossessions and other violations. Please click here to go directly to LBCHAT/2024candidatepublicinformationdocuments. LBCHAT intends to obtain and publish all local and state public record documents related to campaign finance and personal and/or criminal background information on every candidate running for a Laguna Beach Public Office position every campaign year.
Thank you for being an informed voter. Our city’s health and future depends on it! LBCHAT
CHAT stands for City Hall Accountability and Transparency. Our Mission: Laguna Beach CHAT desires to advance accountability and transparency. We serve residents by providing them with an open and honest platform to gain knowledge about City officials, functions and decisions that impact our quality of life and our local community.
Lorene Laguna Statement On Endorsements
Lorene Laguna:
Independent candidate serving the residents of the community. Registered organizations endorsements:
NO POLITICAL ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN, PAC, candidate endorsement
NO SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP candidate endorsement
NO POLITICAL PARTY candidate endorsement, City Counsel is a NON-PARTISAN OFFICE
I retained the services of a professional Campaign Compliance Officer to serve as my Treasurer.
I believe it is unwise and puts campaign at risk to leave the FPPC filing responsibilities to an inexperienced volunteer.
Lorene Laguna
LoreneLaguna@Gmail.com
Blake Statement On Endorsements
PETER BLAKE:
I hate both the republicans and democrats equally. I’m an independent and have always been one. I.m pro-abortian, gay rights and not into your religion. On the other hand, I’m also not willing to work seven days a week to support your social programs and don’t stay up at night thinking about ways to defend a criminal’s rights.
I am not listing endorsements from individuals or any groups. I am accepting zero donations from PAC’s or special interest groups.They’re welcome to do whatever they want as Liberate Laguna has.
I have hired Campaign Compliance as my treasurer and they are responsible for all official filings.
There is no one who’s willing to acknowledge having anything to do with advising me on my campaign. I do get calls daily from well wishers advising me on everything I’m doing wrong. lol
Peter
Don’t Bury Our Money Underground! Vote No On Measure P
S.T.O.P. Team,
The Sales Tax Increase is now officially called “Measure P” and will appear on the November 6th ballot misleadingly titled as “Laguna Beach Utility Under-grounding and Fire Safety Measure.”
S.T.O.P. is ramping up to defeat Measure P as an unnecessary tax increase, the second in two years. We should PAY AS WE GO, let neighborhoods underground their own utilities at their own expense, and budget to underground utilities on Laguna Canyon Road, if desired for aesthetics, with our budget surpluses. We don’t buy the city’s “fear and fire” campaign. It’s fearmongering, and its false.
A broad spectrum of community groups oppose Measure P, including the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Orange County Taxpayers Association, both of which signed on to S.T.O.P’s ballot Opposition Argument.
WE NEED YOUR HELP to get the message our and educate your neighbors and friends to VOTE NO. Here’s how you can help:
- YARD SIGNS. “NO ON MEASURE P” yard signs will be available on Friday. Place them in your front yards or local businesses. Please contact us if you would like a yard sign. You can pick them up on Friday or email us and we will drop them off at your home.
- VOLUNTEER. We need volunteers to hand out literature around town, in your neighborhoods and at local events. Please contact us if can help out. We have the literature and hand outs.
- MAKE A DONATION. This is a grass roots efforts, and we need your help to offset costs for yard signs, fliers, mailers, postage and promotion materials to get the word out to VOTE NO on Measure P. You can mail a check to Stop Taxing Our Property to 2599 Glenneyre Street, LB 92651 or go to the STOP website atwww.stoptaxingourproperty.com and use the PayPal button to make a donation. Every little bit helps!
- DON’T VOTE FOR CANDIDATES THAT WANT TO TAX YOU! DON’T VOTE FOR Incumbents Toni Iseman, Rob Zur Schmeide, insider Sue Kempf, or Sue Marie Connelly. They all want to tax you, and put our city in its greatest debt ever by approving a $135 Million dollar bond.
Stop Taxing Our Property
Stop Taxing Our Property
www.stoptaxingourproperty.comThank you for your support. Together we can STOP the unnecessary sales tax increase and defeat Measure P.
Jennifer Zeiter, Co-Founder
949-715-8736 or Cell 408-832-7786
2599 Glenneyre Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Stop Taxing Our Property – S.T.O.P.
Outlook-1519089474.jpg
2018 PAC and 501(c)4 Group Campaign Disclosure Forms
Liberate Laguna – 410 2018 – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 460 Jan 1 – June, 2019 – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 460 Oct 21 – Dec 31, 2018 – Click here
Liberate Laguna PAC – 460 Sept 23 – Oct 20 2018 – redacted – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 460 July 1 – Sept 22, 2018 Amended – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 460 July 1 – Sept 22, 2018 – Click here
Liberate Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 Jan. 1 – June 2018 – Click here
Liberate Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 – Click here
Village Laguna (PAC):
Village Laguna – 460 Jan 1 – Jun 30 2019 – redacted – Click here
Village Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 Oct 21 – Dec 31, 2018 – Click here
Village Laguna – 460 Sept 23 – October 20 2018 – amended – Click here
Village Laguna – 460 Sept 23 – October 20 2018 – redacted – Click here
Village Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 Jan. 1 – June 30, 2018 – Click here
Village Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 July 31 – Sept. 22, 2018 – Click here
Village Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 July 31 – Sept. 22, 2018 redacted – Click here
Undergrounding Laguna:
Undergrounding Laguna Now changed to Yes on P to Protect LB – 460 September 23 – October 20 2018 – redacted – Click here
Undergrounding Laguna Now Campaign Contributions Form 460 April 26 – June 30, 2018 – Click here
Undergrounding Laguna Now (Yes on P) Campaign Contributions Form 497 Sept. 11, 2018 – Click here
Undergrounding Laguna Now (Yes on P) Campaign Contributions Form 497 Sept. 19, 2018 – Click here
Underground Laguna Now changed to Yes on P to Protect LB – 460 July 1 – September 22 2018 – redacted – Click here
Stop Taxing Our Property – 460 Oct 1 – Oct 25 2018 – redacted – Click here
Yes On P – Click here
Laguna Beach Police Association – 460 July 1 – Oct 20 2018 – Click here
Peter Blake
Candidate Website here
Form 460 Campaign Funding Disclosure Statements:
Blake Peter – 460 Oct 21 – Dec 31, 2018
Blake Peter – 460 July 1 – September 22 2018
Blake Peter – 460 January 1 – June 30 2018
Blake Peter – 460 September 23 – Oct 20 2018 – redacted
Blake Statement on Endorsements Oct. 1, 2018 – Click here
How Laguna gallery owner Peter Blake got calm, cool, collected – Orange County Register
Meet the man who wants to save Laguna Beach – LA Times
Gallery owner Peter Blake files Intent To Run form – Stu News
Laguna Beach Local News Crowd Queues to Unseat Council Incumbents – Laguna Beach Indy
Stu News and KX 93.5 FM Candidate Debate – Watch here
Steve Robbins Letter –
City Council Candidates – November 6, 2018 Election
1) Elizabeth (Liz) Bates liz@lizforlaguna.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/17/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 10, 2018 (Signatures verified by ROV – no Candidate Statement)
2) Peter Blake peterblakegallery@mac.com. Picked up nomination papers on 08/06/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 13, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Peter Blake
3) Ann Christoph ann@ac-la.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/25/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 10, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Ann Christoph
4) Sue Marie Connolly suemarieinlaguna@qmail.com. Picked up nomination papers on 08/10/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 15, 2018 Signatures verified by ROV – no Candidate Statement
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Sue Marie Connolly
5) Toni Iseman tiseman2@aol.com. TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 9, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Toni Iseman
6) Sue Kempf sueforcouncil2018@gmail.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/16/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 8, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Sue Kempf
7) Cheryl Kinsman carolijkahn@gmail.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/16/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 14, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Cheryl Kinsman
8) Lorene Laguna lorenelaguna@gmail.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/24/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: JULY 30, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Lorene Laguna
9) Judie Mancuso judie@judiemancuso.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/16/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 2, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Judie Mancuso
10) Allison Mathews jackalstudio16@qmail.com. TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 10, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Allison Mathews
11) Paul Merritt merrittmaster@yahoo.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/25/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 10, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Paul Merritt
This Candidate has withdrawn from the Election and is No Longer running for City Council. 12) Rob Zur Schmiede robz@voterobz.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/19/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 6, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV).
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Rob Zur Schmiede
Media and General Public Candidate Related Articles and Opinions for the November 6, 2018 Election Below:
LB Indy Columnist Billy Fried, “The Kibitzer: It’s Carnival Time”
Letter: Council Candidates Owe Voters Transparency – Laguna Beach Indy Newspaper
Liberate Laguna Wants Developer-Friendly Council –Laguna Beach Indy Newspaper
Updated – Public Safety Message from the Chief of Police
2021 Update Laguna Beach Police Crime report here
2020 Update Laguna Beach Police Crime report here
Updated Police Documents – Story from Stu News click here
Read the 59 page Laguna Beach PD Biennial Report 2017-2018 here
Date: August 17, 2018
Laguna Beach Residents:
Over the past few months there has been much concern expressed about crime and safety in our city. LBCHAT reached out to Laguna Beach Police Chief Laura Farinella and asked her to respond to the safety concerns.
Here is Chief Farinella’s response:
The City of Laguna Beach is an extremely safe city, and all police department employees have positively contributed to the reduction in crime. We are currently fully staffed at the sworn ranks, and with the support of the professional staff, it is these layered services that gives us the ability to function as if we were a much larger agency.
With 24 thousand residents and 6.5 million visitors, we are continuously challenged to meet and balance the needs of both the residential and visitor population. On a monthly basis, the leadership team meets to discuss crime and nuisance issues, and strategies to combat these issues, and how we can better engage with the community.
Here is some statistical data the police department maintains to monitor and analyze crime related activity.
Violent Crime Data here
Traffic Data* here *Laguna’s traffic accidents have actually decreased and the below chart shows that Coast Hwy (PCH) made up, on average, 22% or 13%, depending on where on Coast Hwy., and this is comparing three years of data. It may feel like more because PCH is used to get to where an accident may be and is the fastest way to get there. We use the data in the chart below to focus traffic enforcement and education.
Police Department August 15, 2018 SL Presentation here
Please direct questions on the data provided to: lfarinella@lagunabeachcity.net or call 949-497-0385.
___________________________________________________
LBCHAT supports Chief Farinella and our public safety staff. She takes an inclusive approach to leading and it is making a positive difference in our community. She is proud of our City, our public safety department staff and the progress made in connecting with residents and serving our extremely large tourism base.
Please share your thoughts with us? click here
As a resident, do you feel safe at home?
Do you feel safe while out and about in our City?
Do you think the City is providing adequate public safety services?
What areas do you feel could be improved?
Have you contacted the City with public safety concerns in 2018?
Do you have personal story to share?
Do you attend City Hall Meeting?
Are you aware that the City offers community educational and training classes for residents?
Guest Review: South Laguna Tourist Quagmire
Date: August 16, 2018
Subject: August 15, 2018 meeting on tourist Impacts in South Laguna.
Comments from South Laguna resident Michele Monda:
I attended the South Laguna Civic Association (SLCA) meeting on Wednesday night (August 15th) to hear an update on what the Laguna police, lifeguards and county parks staff are doing to make South Laguna safer. “I was delighted to hear that with the increased beach patrols, citations are up and crime and nuisance complaints are down.”
Questions among the 25 people who attended were related to what could be done about the lack of toilets, increased jay walking across PCH and the parking problem that has not been resolved. City staff said they would look into these issues. So, “I guess we still have a ways to go to address the South Laguna tourist quagmire.”
Michele Monda
South Laguna
View the LB Police Department August 15, 2018 Presentation. Click here
Please share your thoughts with us. Click here
Did you attend this meeting?
Do you live in South Laguna?
What specific issue(s) prompted you to attend the meeting?
Were you satisfied with the City progress report?
Were you satisfied with the OC Parks report?
Did you agree with the statistics provided in the reports?
Are there other issues you are concerned about that weren’t covered?
What issue have they addressed that you are most relieved or pleased about?
Have you personally contacted the City or County to report on an issue in 2018?
Anything else you would like to share?
Thank you! The more we speak up the more we improve our quality of life in South Laguna and our City.
Guest Article – Coastal Short-Term Rental Supporters Ignore Historic Nuisance Laws
Coastal city Short-Term Rental proponents ignore legally-binding land use
concepts, typically using meritless, fatally flawed arguments at hearings.
They’re good for business? Unfortunately, coastal trends since 2000
are “Commerce first, residents second.” By residents I mean those NOT
owning potential STR parcels.
Favoring commerce over 40+% of the population who rent year-round plus
percentages of full-time owners not wishing to acquire permits, that constitute
an incontestable majority, the commerce tail is wagging the communal quality
of life dog.
Beyond permit fees, there’s no proof that more STR would appreciably increase
general municipal revenue via boarders spending significant taxable amounts
at businesses. Often tenants are extended families and friends. They’ll be
saving money by cooking and drinking at the rental, not out.
They increase or assist public access to our beaches? A classic straw man
argument. Yes, a few hundred more people will be ensconced, but the Cal
Coastal Commission is dead wrong on this one. Otherwise, why allow more and
more parking meters, increasing rates plus climbing violation fees? Aren’t
limited time meters a form of infringement, inhibition or visitation disincentive?
Coastals increasingly allow increased intensification of use for restaurants and
bars without demanding increased onsite parking. Why doesn’t the CCC object
to that, these sites eat up yet more public parking, thus decreasing access,
don’t they?
STR’s homes are their castle, limitations constitute a de facto taking? That
ignores the basics of common civility, public and private nuisance laws traced
back to King Henry III:
“Private nuisance: An unreasonable, unwarranted invasion, where actions of
the defendant cause a substantial interference with another’s use/enjoyment
of their property. Public nuisance: The defendant’s actions materially affect
the reasonable comfort and convenience of life of the community.”
No one has the inalienable right to use their property to the diminishment of
their neighbor(s). Yes, some operators are vigilant and do not abuse the terms
and conditions. The nightmares abound, absentee owners are trying to
maximize income to offset, mitigate their taxes and maintenance. They bought
the parcel without STR rights: Enhancing private revenue models is NOT the
community’s problem.
The sales industry knows this, the Real Estate Disclosure Act of 1987 is explicit:
Seller MUST disclose any adverse condition that COULD affect the value. Listed
housing is theoretically forced to reveal the obtrusive potential if in proximity.
STR actually diminish property values, now THERE’S a fiscal infringement,
irregular taking including tort (litigation) exposure.
*Roger E. Bütow is a professional land use consultant and 46-year
resident of Laguna Beach
STOP Place Local Ads On Undergrounding
Guest Letter – Why Underground Powerlines?
Why do City Councilmembers think it’s the resident taxpayers’ responsibility to pay for these misguided “Key Evacuation Routes” (“KER”) on state-owned LCR, Glenneyre/Monterey St and Virginia Way at double expense bonds and forever one percent sales tax to finance [the] Proposed Underground Tax and Bond agenda that “our Council” voted 5-0 to pursue?
There’s no fire danger on our City owned streets mentioned above. It’s a dinosaur concept…and for these additional reasons:
Edison/SDG&E have funded Undergrounding Programs of $125k annually. Caltrans is already planning/responsible to widen and underground Laguna Canyon Road (LCR); controls that State Owned Right of Way; and will pay with power companies like Big Bend area in 2016. I observed when there’s a serious fire like 1993, smart residents and guests did head for the Beach as a quick fourth real escape route, where you’re safe/can see what’s happening, as government officials, and resting firefighters did and they parked on Coast Hwy. You’re not going to head for any “KER” mentioned above…who “thought” those up?
I estimate the actual undergrounded portion of Laguna is closer to 80 percent (not the 40 percent Whalen purports), when you exclude CalTrans/State-owned LCR Right of Way, and no fire issue streets/North Laguna alleys. The City shouldn’t ask residents to pay for state-owned LCR undergrounding! Existing annual Edison/SDG&E Funding, credits purchased can take care of the few real powerline/traffic conflict locations left in the City for safety without bonds and one percent added sales tax that hurts local business and taxpayers. (Link to Bob Whalen’s Guest Column: http://stunewslaguna.com/archives/front-page-archive/26953-guest-column-bob-whalen-103117)
Councilmember Whalen no longer mentions the topic of residents: 1-who paid for undergrounding in previously completed private districts, 2-are currently paying these Underground Tax Assessments (CFD’s), and 3-who [will] soon pay the $40 to $80k cost (Coast Royale, SoLag). Where’s this “Second Ballot measure” to exempt them now Bob, vs your current proposal for previously paid residents to pay a second time, to favor 20 percent plus of residents who haven’t paid, including four of five Councilmembers, ready CFD residents put on hold? I can comment both sides of the argument of the City’s Bond/Tax Measure – have one residence with, one without underground/views. I chose to pay off, instead of double cost/30 year bond.
The City has managed 40 plus years of these Undergrounding Assessment Districts since the 1970s, and it now proposes to dupe past participating owners to pay it twice? Those seven active City’s Districts that were almost finalized are now on hold (to chase this obsolete idea of undergrounding taxation) with another bond measure against our properties, and a one percent forever sales tax that isn’t directed at specified items! Could this big $$$ actually go to pay unfunded Pension Plans or free undergrounding for those who haven’t paid for it – which might be the real reason, not fire safety and ”KER”? Informed residents say yes, absolutely – look at other City slush funds misdirected from other purposes (i.e. Parking Fund for decades, $4 million from Measure LL – Bed Tax allocated on 10/24/17).
The City Proposal to underground with 24,000 residents voting on a ballot is deceptive. Actually, 14,400 resident owners/taxpayers would bear this expense. It’s manipulative to propose a measure for a vote when 40 percent of residents are renters; and additionally 17 percent are absentee owners who can’t vote on what financially affects them. It’s also a disservice and betrayal of trust to owners who paid to underground for uncluttered ocean views. Forcing owners to pay twice constitutes fraud in my view, and could start a class action lawsuit for past payment damages by 40 plus years of previously paid owners as plaintiffs. Ask the Coast Royale owners after they pay their assessment to pay it twice, not!
I think all Laguna Locals should view this YouTube Video: “Tony Seba: Clean Disruption – Energy & Transportation” www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b3ttqYDwF0, to see the future of Energy/Transportation, that will shock you to see changes, future and overhead utilities are ancient technology, obsolete in 10-20 years. This Illustrates questionable leadership and lost $$$ spent to date by City to underground, and if understood, no need for undergrounding ballot vote.
To share a joint idea with another like-minded Lagunan – we suggest inviting Elon Musk to town as our guest. He’s a forward thinker, would be a great neighbor, and ask him to partner up to make Laguna Beach the first Solar City with his roof tiles, battery back up/Peaker Units, and his Tesla cars and trucks. If we added farming upper Laguna and Aliso Canyon valley floors after planner Sir Ebenezer Howard’s 1898 model for a Garden City, linking our work/jobs, farmlands, residential neighborhoods and recreational parks with pedestrian/bikeways it would be the live/work Utopian City of sustainability, surrounded by Greenbelts & Pacific Ocean. After all, Elon just works up the road in Hawthorne @ SpaceX, and he might need a second getaway beach home he can rocket to.
Bryan T.S. Menne – 54 year Laguna Resident, Former OCFD Paid Call Firefighter South Laguna-Station 6, Land Planner & CA Registered Landscape Architect.
Guest Articles – Laguna Historic Ordinance Meeting
The City Council is accepting applications for the Historic Preservation Ordinance Task Force. The Historic Preservation Ordinance Task Force was created by the City Council at its January 23, 2018, City Council meeting.
The Task Force will consist of (9) nine members of the Public selected by two City Council members who will act as liaisons and non-voting members of the Task Force. The purpose of the Historic Preservation Ordinance Task Force will be to attempt to reach consensus on the Historic Preservation Ordinance and to provide recommendation(s) back to the City Council.
Applicants may be contacted by a City Council member prior to the appointments so please be prepared to make a brief statement about your desire to serve on this Task Force. Laguna Beach residents who are interested in serving on the Historic Preservation Ordinance Task Force should obtain an application from the City Clerk’s office or on-line from the City’s website, www.lagunabeachcity.net and file by Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. Questions may be directed to the City Clerk’s office at 497-0705. Applications will not be accepted after the February 28, 2018 deadline.
Let Laguna Live (LLL) appears to be the only organized effort to stop the adoption of the “revised” historical preservation ordinance. LLL having a meeting for all interested citizens and homeowners in Laguna Beach. Please attend for information about the Historic Preservation Ordinance and how it will affect your property. There are ways you can get involved to keep your property rights intact. The Let Laguna Live! Board and an expert will discuss next steps.
I have written a lot on this subject but let me try to summarize my position. I would like LLL advocate these positions and welcome any support.
Some facts:
- CEQA does not mandate any city adopt a historical ordinance, registry, inventory or survey. The City is free to design their own local historical program .. or not have one at all. (I have this in writing from the Local Government & Environmental Compliance Unit
California Office of Historic Preservation) - All local building permits are exempt from CEQA unless a structure in on the federal state or local “registry.”
- Creating an “inventory” or “survey” traps all the homes on this list in the CEQA review process AGAINST the will of the home owner.
- Laguna is the only City I can find that requires registered home owners to sign a perpetual contract that can never be terminated.
- The proposed ordinance to declare all homes over a certain age to be a “potential historical resources” subjects these homes to time consuming, costly CEQA environmental reviews .. without the owner’s consent or due process.
- The Laguna ordinance PROHIBITS an unregistered home owner from filing for Mills Act (a 10 yr contract with substantial property tax reduction) UNLESS the first sign a PERPETUAL contract .. only to learn the City will not grant MILLS ACT. This is a huge disinceti8ve to participate in the historical preservation program.
What needs to be done;
City Council should REJECT the proposed amendments and instruct the staff to draft a NEW ordinance based on simple policy positions:
- All applications for Registration should be VOLUNTARY. Any property that is now registered without the consent or will of the homeowner should be allowed to terminate.
- The use of perpetual contract should be terminated. Like other cities, registration is voluntary and the regulation of a registered homes is controlled the city code enforcement just like any other permit.
- Halt all efforts to create a “survey” or “inventory”. Stop spending taxpayer money on outside consultants who drive by your home and place you on a list against your will. These “lists” serve no purpose other than to encumber homes without due process.
- Marking un-registered homes “potentially historical” because of their ages should be rejected.
- Process applications for registration with Mills Act concurrently. You get both or you get nothing. Other Cities do this .. Pasadena is the best example.
- Draft the new ordinance to minimize CEQA review of historical resources. State that only registered homes are subject to CEQA review .. thus limiting future demolition and remodeling.
- Drop incentives such as reduced fees and variances from energy and environmental codes for registered homes. They have little value as financial incentives. Registered homes that violate current energy efficiency laws should be brought up to code to save energy, GHG emissions, fire safety, etc. This is a public safety issue. Safety is more important that preserving an old dangerous structure.
Please feel free to state your own positions and attend this meeting.
Douglas H. Cortez
* Editor’s Note: LagunaBeachCHAT welcomes guest articles on topics of general interest, from respected sources. If a guest article is accepted as relevant and topical, we commit to making no changes (other than spelling and small technical corrections) and will publish the article in its entirety.
Comparison Shows An Outdated Historical Ordinance
In a recent ‘Letter To The Editor’ submission in the LB Indy Newspaper, local resident Doug Cortez addresses problems with one historical ordinance coming before Planning Commission this month.
He states, “Over the years many Lagunans have been critical of Laguna’s historical preservation program. On Oct. 18 the Planning Commission will try again to draft a revised ordinance. But there seems to be confusion and a lack of clear direction.
I called the historical preservation planners in Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Pasadena, Fullerton and Orange. It seems like we are living a bubble built on outdated ideas and dysfunctional regulations.”
Check out his full letter on the Laguna Beach Indy Newspaper website here
ACLU Threatens to Sue OC Supervisors Over Alleged Free Speech Violations
Orange County supervisors (from left): Michelle Steel, Shawn Nelson, Lisa Bartlett, Todd Spitzer, and Andrew Do. (Photos by Nick Gerda/Voice of OC and Katlin Washburn for Voice of OC)
In recent months, Orange County supervisors have been putting tighter and tighter restrictions on speakers who try to address them at public board meetings.
And now, say attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), supervisors have gone too far. It’s a warning that’s leading county officials to consider policy changes.
In a letter earlier this week, the ACLU of Southern California claims the supervisors are violating numerous free speech rights guaranteed by state law and the U.S. Constitution. And they threatened legal action if supervisors don’t fix the alleged violations.
“Instead of acknowledging its role as servants of the community…over the last several years, the Board [of Supervisors] has treated the community as an impediment to conducting its own business and has systematically restricted members of the community’s ability to bring their concerns before the Board,” states the letter, signed by ACLU staff attorney Brendan Hamme and sent Monday to County Counsel Leon Page.
“Listening to your constituents is not an inconvenience to be endured; it is your job.”
Among issues cited in the letter are shorter time limits supervisors placed on public speakers, requiring speakers to give their names, refusing to let speakers address supervisors by name, and a policy blocking the release of security videos.
The supervisors’ actions violate the First Amendment and the state’s open meeting law, the Ralph M. Brown Act, the ACLU charges in its letter.
“If you do not agree to rescind your illegal rules and implement legal rules and policies, the ACLU of Southern California will consider all legal means to respond to your refusal,” the ACLU letter said.
Read More here – ACLU Threatens County Supervisors
New Employee Receives Special Perk – Updated
Story Update – Guess who earns more than the Governor of California?
The excessively high salaries of city managers is a troubling California epidemic. Our City Manager and Assist City Mgr/Dir public works both earn far more in total remuneration than the GOVERNOR of California.
CY2019
Pietig: $359k
Dupuis: $330k (est)
Newsome: $278k
Review City Agenda Bill forms here
Review City Housing Agreement here
LB is 48th out of 567 cities in California, in terms of the total remuneration given to the City Manager. https://publicpay.ca.gov/. Tiny LB ranks high in terms of tax-payer largess.
The ever escalating remuneration packages that California cities are handing out to City managers is an epidemic problem. City managers are quick to play one locale off against another and exploit the relative lack of sophistication of the City Councils that set their pay. The attached article makes for eye opening reading on the overall problem and possible legislative solutions being proposed.
Read Stu News’ Story – Council raises the ante in Dupuis sweepstakes – here
—-
By : Rita Robinson
Courtesy of the Laguna Beach Independent Newspaper
In her dual job titles as the city’s new assistant city manager and director of public works,
Shohreh Dupuis
Shohreh Dupuis knows she’ll encounter the unique challenges of a popular beach town. Experienced at working with regional transportation agencies, her first task will be the utility undergrounding project in Laguna Canyon and the growing traffic congestion on the city’s small streets, she said.
With at least one hurdle that confronts most residents, she will receive help. Dupuis is one of four City Hall executive administrators getting assistance from their employer to buy a home in town, said Gavin Curran, director of finance and information technology.
And that’s a big help, especially in a city that ranks second highest for median home prices in Orange County, according to Core Logic property information company and Oscar Wei, senior economist for the California Association of Realtors. Corona del Mar ranks first.
For more of the story click here
81-Year-Old Tax Payers’ Watch Dog Uncovers County Misspending
An article in the Voice of OC shows local activists bring attention to County’s mishandling of Tax Dollars. The article reports on a complaint that Ms. Shirley Grindle filed with the FPPC against OC Supervisors Andrew Do and Lisa Bartlett (who is OUR district 5 supervisor and current Chair of the OC BoS). According to the allegations, Do spent almost a quarter of a million of taxpayer dollars to send out campaign flyers disguised as District 1 resident outreach. Do is in a tight race to retain his seat on the BoS.
Similarly, Ms. Bartlett (from Dana Point) spent $137k of taxpayer dollars sending out District 5 flyers which broke the rules and amounted to taxpayer-funded campaign materials. I’ve provided a link to the Voice of OC article and the actual complaint that Ms. Grindle filed with the FPPC. Shirley is a treasure and every OC taxpayer owes her a debt of gratitude for her >40 years of dogged attempts to minimize political corruption in OC. She’s 81 years old, and slowing down a little but still every bit as feisty as in years gone by.
Read the full article here
South Laguna Resident Speaks Up In Community Forum
Local South Laguna Resident posted letter in the South Laguna Neighborhood Nextdoor forum.
Posting October 2016:
Steve Dictorow’s financial situation is sad and personal – leave him alone about that. Why do you think that involves his commitments to the City Council? If there were dubious issues regarding the City, then okay but there doesn’t seem to be so let him deal with it. He has shown to be a dedicated public servant and I think that is very good.
However, as MJ Abraham said, us residents (and taxpayers – yes, we own our homes) have complained to the City and then demanded police presence and trash cans when the crowds got out of control down here and nothing was done.
I actually called Mr. Dictorow’s cell phone at the height of the madness and he answered! And he was driving through South Laguna at the time. His words to me were “Gee, I have not been down here for a long long time, where did all of these people come from? Oh wow, they’re running across PCH. This used to be such a sleepy little section of town.”
I told him about the parking debacles, people using our yards as urinals and worse, drunk drivers. He promised that he would look into it and then nothing was done.
I have completely lost my confidence in our City Council, the City Manager, the Laguna Beach police department (who we have called many times for help), the County of Orange and their Supervisors. What does it take to get this part of Laguna Beach on their radar. Sure, they love the tax dollars but they don’t give a shit about the residents. that’s why I made my own “No Parking Signs” (signmeupparking.com).
We live on a private street and the Parking Patrol lady told me that I had to have the City’s towing code number on my signs, even on a private road. I told her to go fish. But in an effort to keep the peace, I grabbed a pencil and in the smallest type I could write, I wrote it out and then asked her if she was satisfied that I complied with her ridiculous request. She just scowled at me. I told her that the next time some stranger from the IE pulls over, throws out their Taco Bell bag and takes a dump in your flower bed, you will know what I am going through.
We need somebody who cares about this section of town.
Dicterow Taps His Home For Cash
A recent letter to the editor in the LB Indy addressing the Bankruptcy Filing of Mayor Steven Dicterow. Find the original letter here.
Editor,
Last month several people came to a City Council meeting voicing concerns about Steve Dicterow’s financial difficulties. The response from the public was compassion, “everyone has tough times.” Laguna has a history of caring for one another. That’s who we are. But it can’t be left at that. How did Mayor Dicterow get there?
Mayor Dicterow bought his home in 1988 for $340,000. Since that time he refinanced his mortgage seven times: $368,000 in 1995, $440,000 in 1999, $547,000 in 2003 with an additional $50,000 second, $500,000 additional borrowed in late 2003, $1 million in 2006, and $271,000 in 2007 as a second.
Granted, many people refinanced to reduce their mortgage rate during the roaring housing bubble of pre-2008. It was tempting to pull out ready money as the value of a home increased during this period.
However, it was always a gamble to risk the family home particularly as Mayor Dicterow did to finance new business ventures, such as a motorcycle circuit venture and a mold and water restoration venture, both of which unfortunately failed. Since he had accumulated another $281,000 in unsecured debts by 2014, he used the bankruptcy option to protect his home. The bankruptcy option seems reasonable in this set of circumstances, but the multiple refinancings of the family home at such a level seems unwise.
We can (and should) feel compassion for anyone in danger of losing their home. It is a tough and sad situation for anyone to experience, and thank the government that there is a bankruptcy option for protection of the home.
The real question is the soundness of Mayor Dicterow’s decision to refinance at increasingly larger amounts. It makes one wonder about his abilities to make sound decisions over Laguna’s $70 million budget.
When Mayor Dicterow supported building a four-story garage at the village entrance, which was eventually blocked by a residents’ revolt, he stated at the City Council that a $65 million dollar bond is like a mortgage, “you never expect to pay off your mortgage”. For him that’s unfortunately true.
George Weiss, Laguna Beach