Topping this week’s action in local government, Orange County supervisors decide whether to form a parenting commission, and Lake Forest City Council members decide on a controversial housing project in an auto mall.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will likely turn down a grand jury recommendation that it form a parenting commission that would help steer mental health funds for counseling parents and children, monitor counseling programs and promote family court orders that “will likely yield compliance and maximum contact with both parents.”
The suggestion came from a February grand jury report titled “Best Interest of the Child,” in which the jury found that $1.3 billion in child support has gone uncollected in Orange County.
Among the recommendations was a parenting commission composed of representatives from child support services; court mediation services; family law and Hispanic sections of the Orange County Bar Association; the Legal Aid Society of Orange County; a participating counseling program; social services; and the county mental health services.
The supervisors’ proposed response, however, asserts that such a panel is “not necessary or appropriate at this time” because of the many existing resources for parents and children.
Also coming up this week, council members in Lake Forest are scheduled to vote on the main approvals for a controversial housing project in an auto mall.
The project’s developers steered nearly $50,000 to support council members in the last election cycle. They plan to build about 220 homes in an abandoned auto mall on the city’s northern edge.
Questions have also been raised about whether the council violated the Ralph M. Brown Act in February when it voted to cancel an independent review of the developers’ feasibility studies. The agenda stated that the issue would only be discussed.
Whether a vote will actually take place Tuesday isn’t clear. City staff is recommending that the item be continued to July 30.
The Laguna Niguel City Council is set to adopt a resolution “supporting transparent and open government,” but it’s unclear what practical steps they have in mind. The city’s online agenda doesn’t include links to staff reports or attachments – including the proposed resolution on transparency.
Monday, July 15
Santa Ana City Council – 5:45 p.m.
- Ordinance changing rules on alcohol sales and entertainment.
- Mayor Miguel Pulido’s proposal for public art on utility boxes.
- Contract with Townsend Public Affairs for state government liaison services.
Irvine City Council Special Closed Session – 1:30 p.m.
- Discussing appointment of a city attorney.
Tuesday, July 16
Orange County Board of Supervisors – 9:30 a.m. (Revisions)
- Select Navex Global to provide online equal employment training for the county’s nonmanagement and supervisory staff and begin contract negotiations.
- Approving lease with Pacific Harbor Hospitality Group LLC for restaurant space at Dana Point Harbor, for $114,000 per year, or 9 percent of gross receipts, whichever is higher.
- Approving contract with Parking Concepts to operate county parks’ parking lots, with PCI to receive 33 percent of gross parking receipts.
- Approving response to the grand jury report “Best Interest of the Child – Lost Child Support Costs $1.3 Billion.”
Closed Session
- Performance evaluation of Internal Auditor Peter Hughes.
- Property negotiations with Wild Rivers Irvine over leasing county property at the former El Toro air base.
Dana Point City Council – 5 p.m.
- Approving an unspecified amendment to the city manager’s contract.
- Approving a five-year contract with West Coast Arborists for tree trimming services.
Lake Forest City Council – 5:30 p.m.
- Approving zoning change, development agreement, tentative tract map, site development permit and mitigated negative declaration for the Brookfield Residential project, with staff recommending continuation to July 30 meeting.
- Approving an agreement with Orange County to coordinate and provide Emergency Mass Notification Services (Alert OC) through 2017.
- Hearing an appeal of the planning commissions denial of a liquor license for the Foothill Ranch Car Wash.
Costa Mesa City Council – 6 p.m.
- Approving a $109,000-per-year contract with Ware Disposal Company, Inc. to collect trash from city facilities.
- Awarding a $125,000 contract to David Volz Design to design the Fairview Park Wetlands Boardwalk Project.
- Giving feedback on a proposed 29-unit live-work project within the 19 West Urban Plan Area.
- Considering a zoning change for a project to replace a 55-unit mobile home park (Rolling Hills Trailer Park) with a 209-unit apartment complex.
Laguna Beach City Council – 6 p.m.
- Approving a contract with West Coast Aerial Photography for $37,500.
- Approving a two-year contract extension with the Ferguson Group for state and federal lobbying services at $60,000 per year.
San Clemente City Council – 6 p.m.
- Authorizing the creation of a limited-term building inspector II position for $93,000 for 14 months.
Laguna Niguel City Council – 7 p.m.
- Adopting an unspecified resolution “supporting transparent and open government.”
Wednesday, July 17
Aliso Viejo City Council – 7 p.m.
- Rejecting claims against the city brought by Jason Lagas, Nathan Helman, and Adam and Fahim Hokoki.
Adam Elmahrek and Brendan Wiles contributed to this report.
You can reach Nick Gerda at ngerda@gmail.com, and follow him on Twitter: @nicholasgerda.