Councilman recommends governing body do with less

Cost-cutting measures that go “far beyond a symbolic but fairly ineffective 10 per cent salary cut” for the city’s five elected officials will be proposed by John Anderson at an upcoming meeting to show City Council “leadership…in budget-difficult times.”

The councilman’s proposal includes “no more city-purchased meals or beverages” before council meetings, no more free business cards and city pins for council members and “no more travel or conference reimbursement absent prior council approval and urgent need.”

Anderson estimates his suggestions would pare $1,473 monthly from council expenses, totaling $17,676 per year. With a 10 percent cut in the $500 per month salary and $30 per meeting Redevelopment Agency pay, potential annual savings could total $21,036.

Interim City Manager Bill Kelly already has implemented one reduction in the cost of feeding 20 council and staff members before the twice-monthly regular and occasional special meetings.

Previously, meals cost $441 per regular meeting and $200 for special meetings or $1,082 monthly, with beverages adding $45 each month, according to Anderson. Kelly’s switch to “boxed lunches” reduces meal costs to $200 per meeting, Anderson notes.

Anderson also proposes members pay for their own breakfasts and lunches: “I was very surprised to see the city picking up the council’s breakfast…and lunch tabs” at Chamber of Commerce events, the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast and League of Cities functions.

And Anderson wants to limit council travel “during these difficult economic times.” Eliminating all travel and business expenses could save $3,972 annually, he notes.

According to data prepared for Anderson by Finance Director Susan Hartman, travel and meeting expenses December 2006 through February 2009 were $25 each for Anderson and former member Allen Castellano, $512 for Jim Winder, $1,302 for former member Hank Wedaa and $6,241 for Jan Horton.

The city would save $183 annually by eliminating council’s business cards ($63 per order) and free city logo pins ($120 per 50), Anderson suggests.

Anderson notes, “I honestly haven’t reached a firm conclusion on council member benefits,” which totaled $68,420 in the most recent fiscal year, including health and retirement payments, workers’ compensation and auto and phone allowances.

“I suppose any member who wanted to, could decline the benefits. I have been told that we cannot by law officially reduce (or increase) them for our current terms but could for future councils,” he adds.

Anderson has served on the city’s audit committee since his 2006 election. He and Mayor Mark Schwing review city expenditures in brief meetings before the regular council sessions.

Gift reports, Duvall bill, vet memorial, Janeway house

One elected official and five management staff members reported receiving gifts from individuals or groups on economic interest statements filed with three local governing agencies by an April 1 deadline.

City Councilman Jim Winder, Parks and Facilities Director Steve Campbell and Parks and Recreation Director Sue Leto listed $650 in gifts, which included two golf outings for Winder, sporting tickets for Campbell and golf and food for Leto.

Black Gold Golf Club and St. Jude Medical Center paid $310 for Winder’s golf rounds, Merchants Building Maintenance $150 for Campbell’s tickets and Kemper Sports $190 for Leto’s events in Palm Desert. Kemper manages the city’s Black Gold golf facility.

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Superintendent Dennis Smith listed a $100 golf tournament paid by the Construction Management Association of America.

Yorba Linda Water District General Manager Ken Vecchiarelli reported a $150 golf tournament paid by the district’s legal counsel McCormick, Kidman and Behrens and auditor Diane Cyganik listed $100 in hockey tickets from elected director Ric Collett.

Of the 15 elected council members, school trustees and water directors, only Winder reported gifts, limited by law to a value of $390 per donor in 2008 and $420 this year.

Other noteworthy items:

First, former mayor and current state Assemblyman Mike Duvall introduced two pieces of legislation he said would “prohibit discrimination against the military and protect the dignity of our fallen troops.”

Assembly Bill 585 would prevent using names of fallen soldiers on political paraphernalia for profit without the consent of next of kin, and AB 534 would provide equal access to military recruiters at public school career fairs.

Second, City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting skateboarding and bicycling on the Veterans Memorial and adjacent sidewalks off Valley View Avenue and approved spending $7,150 for a dedication ceremony May 3 at 2 p.m.

Council also voted to inform the local Masonic Lodge that the group may use the memorial for an annual Veterans Day event the lodge wants to coordinate with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Elks Club but “without…city resources or funding….”

Third, council took action on the very visible but sadly dilapidated Janeway home, formerly known as the Calico House, just west of the Imperial Highway at Lemon Street intersection.

A 5-0 vote directs city staff to negotiate purchase of house and property and protect it from further damage until council can form a public/private partnership, obtain grants or private funds to restore the home for a future community use or as a residence.

Readers respond to housing issue

My column two weeks ago about identifying potential sites for rezoning to multi-family residential to meet state-mandated low- and moderate-income housing requirements has drawn several thoughtful responses from readers.

The City Council will again consider a Draft Housing Element to submit to the state Department of Housing and Community Development showing how the city plans to meet housing needs for all income levels at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Thirteen sites for potential rezoning to 10, 20 and 30 units per acre were discussed last month. Eleven are on the westside and two on the eastside at Savi Ranch.

The sites, listed in my April 2 column, total 50.8 acres and could be developed with 1,142 units. A voter-approved ordinance requiring an election for needed zoning changes could be overturned in court.

Two personal comments from readers who indicate they are at different ends of the income spectrum serve to highlight sincere feelings individuals have when low-cost housing is mentioned.

“I find it sadly fascinating that some apparently equate lower income with higher crime,” a $41,000-per-year retired resident at the Emerald Isle apartments on Rose Drive noted.

“Although I live in Placentia … I regularly patronize several Yorba Linda businesses—Henry’s, Tall Mouse, Bobby D’s, Mimi’s, Polly’s, Main Street Restaurant, the Saturday Farmer’s Market, Trader Joe’s, Michael’s Crafts, Kohl’s, Costco (to name a few).”

The retiree asked, “What would be the economic impact if we ‘lower-income’ people ceased patronizing Yorba Linda businesses?”

In contrast, a reader who moved to Yorba Linda from a higher density area, commented, “People are correct when they cite higher crime and lower property values for reasons to oppose higher-density housing for low-income individuals.”

The reader noted, “Most of the people in Yorba Linda chose this city primarily because of the low density and low crime. Many…worked for years to move from areas of high density and high crime. When low-income units are built, the majority of the occupants have not sacrificed to live in the area and therefore have no stake in the community.”

This person suggested halting all development: “I know the politicians don't even want to consider a move like this; however, if they really want to serve the citizens instead of the developers and the state social engineers, they should pursue this course.”

Whatever council decides will shape future development on the city’s remaining acreage. Anyone can participate in the discussion at City Hall Tuesday night or watch the meeting live on Time-Warner cable channel 3 or the city Web site, beginning at 6:30.

Council salary cuts and low-cost housing

Noteworthy items this week:

First, a suggestion City Council members take a 10 percent salary reduction could trim $280 from municipal expenses each month, totaling up to $3,360 per year.

Council members earn $500 per month plus $30 per meeting for Redevelopment Agency sessions, which are held concurrently with the twice-monthly council meetings. But they also receive about two times their salaries in benefits.

The benefits can include health and retirement contributions, auto and phone allowances and workers’ compensation premiums, which amounted to $68,420 for all five members during the most recent full fiscal year.

Actual salary and benefit payments: $21,556 for Jim Winder, $20,283 for Jan Horton and $19,831 for John Anderson with past members Hank Wedaa and Allen Castellano totaling $19,981 and $19,949.

During the same period, former City Manager Tamara Letourneau totaled $452,430, with severance, and now-retired Assistant City Manager David Gruchow $218,949.

Second, a state-required draft housing element showing sites available for potential rezoning to multi-family residential at 10, 20 and 30 units per acre is likely to draw considerable comment at the April 21 council meeting.

Six identified sites, listed in last week’s column, could put 742 units on 24.77 acres at 30 units per acre, 17 more than 725 “lower income” units needed to meet numbers allocated to the city under a state Regional Housing Needs Assessment.

Seven “moderate income” housing sites: 282 units on 14.19 acres at 20 units per acre and 118 units on 11.35 acres at 10 units per acre, providing 60 more than 340 needed under RHNA figures, allowing the city some “wiggle” room.

Using 2008 figures for a four-person household, “very low income” is defined as up to $46,500 per year, “low income” up to $74,400 and “moderate income” up to $100,900.

Third, a complaint by Councilwoman Nancy Rikel about Sheriff’s Capt. David Wilson was “thoroughly investigated” and Wilson “exonerated” after “a complete review of all relevant facts and evidence,” according to a letter Capt. Dave Nighswonger sent Rikel.

Nighswonger noted, “By law, the Sheriff’s Department is prohibited from disclosing any facts or details of its investigation beyond notifying you of the disposition of the case and providing you with a copy of your own statements made as part of the complaint.”

Rikel alleged “conduct unbecoming an officer” after an incident in the East Lake Village Von’s parking lot when Rikel was campaigning for council Nov. 1, as related in my Dec. 11 column. Wilson is the husband of former one-term Councilwoman Keri Wilson.

Decision to be made on low-cost housing

A higher crime rate, more traffic problems and lower property values are some reasons Yorba Linda residents offer when opposing zoning for higher-density housing projects designed for lower-income families.

In past years, these arguments easily swayed City Council members, since most were elected on low-density platforms promising to preserve the town’s semi-rural identity.

But now, California communities are required to submit plans to the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development showing how the cities will meet the housing needs of a variety of income levels.

So, current council members, who claimed low-density credentials during their election campaigns, are wrestling with the latest version of a draft housing element to forward to the state agency, with action anticipated at an April 21 meeting.

Discussion at a March 17 meeting centered on an exhibit developed by city staff and paid consultants identifying 13 sites for potential rezoning to multi-family residential at 10, 20 and 30 units per acre.

Among six 30-units-per-acre sites: a currently for sale 4.11-acre greenhouse lot on Prospect Avenue, a 1.68-acre RV storage lot at Wabash Avenue and Rose Drive and the 4.08-acre St. Joseph’s medical building at Prospect Avenue and Yorba Linda Boulevard.

Others: 8.5 acres of the 17-acre nursery at Bastanchury Road and Lakeview Avenue, 3.2 acres of vacant land on the Old Canal Road annex at Savi Ranch and the 3.2-acre former Mitsubishi Motors site at Savi Ranch.

Four 20-units-per-acre sites: the 4.7-acre vacant “strawberry field” on Lakeview Avenue, 2.39 acres at Lakeview Avenue and Altrudy Lane, 2.99 acres on Richfield Road and 4.11 acres of the 17-acre equestrian center at Bastanchury Road and Lakeview Avenue.

Three 10-units-per-acre sites: 7.01 acres on Yorba Linda Boulevard across from the Nixon library, 4.34 acres of the nursery at Bastanchury Road and Lakeview Avenue and the half-acre small strip mall-car wash facility south of the post office on Eureka Avenue.

If developed, the total 50.8 acres could yield 1,142 units of lower- and moderate-income housing. The Richfield Road parcel might be eliminated and more Savi Ranch property added when council re-examines the issue.

Yorba Linda faces “several potential consequences” if the housing element is not state-certified, according to Pam Stoker, the city’s housing and redevelopment specialist.

“Housing element lawsuits are typically brought…by affordable housing advocates, property owners…or the development community,” Stoker noted. “Courts can impose a range of sanctions if they rule the housing element invalid, including a moratorium on all development and local land use authority until the…element is brought into compliance.”