Issues that are dividing the council's votes
The number of important issues decided by 3-2 City Council votes indicates that next year’s race for two of five seats on the governing body will draw considerable interest from potential candidates as well as the city’s registered voters—42,983 at last count.
Two of the most recent split votes came when council members disagreed over hiring consultants to conduct a comprehensive study and audit of the police services contract with Brea and to perform a feasibility study for establishing an equestrian facility.
In favor of the professional services agreements were John Anderson, Nancy Rikel and Mark Schwing, with Jan Horton and Jim Winder opposed.
The review of the near-40-year agreement with Brea also will explore four alternatives: contracting with the county Sheriff’s Department or a different city, entering into a joint powers agreement with other cities and forming a Yorba Linda-only department.
The equestrian facility study involves a viability analysis of the “lakebed” site, market feasibility with preliminary design recommendations and a management, financial and operations analysis.
The policing study cost won’t exceed $43,000 from the city’s general fund, while the equestrian study is budgeted at $93,550 from park-in-lieu fees paid by a developer in place of providing a facility in 1992. Both are expected to be completed by October.
Similar 3-2 votes were cast when council asked for a follow-up report on interim City Manager Bill Kelly’s investigation of issues related to the failed Town Center project and discussed wording for an ordinance involving council member service on regional bodies.
These issues, as well as forthcoming votes on an ethics and whistle-blower ordinance, the rehabilitation of 15 city-owned Old Town residential structures, subsidies for Black Gold Golf Course repairs and potential city revenue losses, already have caused lively debate.
And no doubt that debate will continue through the 2010 municipal election, when seats now held by Anderson and Horton will be on the ballot. Although they were elected on similar “change” platforms in 2006, they long ago parted ways on many key topics.
Deep political and personal divisions among council members are obvious at meetings and in e-mails some council members have sent to constituents and consultants, as well.
Of the 29 individuals who have served on the council since incorporation in 1967, three didn’t seek a second term, and six were defeated in their attempts to win a second term.
During 42 years of cityhood, 194 candidates have appeared on 23 council ballots, and the elections with contentious issues usually draw larger fields of candidates—the number of contenders on a single ballot has ranged from three for one seat to 27 for all five seats.
Two of the most recent split votes came when council members disagreed over hiring consultants to conduct a comprehensive study and audit of the police services contract with Brea and to perform a feasibility study for establishing an equestrian facility.
In favor of the professional services agreements were John Anderson, Nancy Rikel and Mark Schwing, with Jan Horton and Jim Winder opposed.
The review of the near-40-year agreement with Brea also will explore four alternatives: contracting with the county Sheriff’s Department or a different city, entering into a joint powers agreement with other cities and forming a Yorba Linda-only department.
The equestrian facility study involves a viability analysis of the “lakebed” site, market feasibility with preliminary design recommendations and a management, financial and operations analysis.
The policing study cost won’t exceed $43,000 from the city’s general fund, while the equestrian study is budgeted at $93,550 from park-in-lieu fees paid by a developer in place of providing a facility in 1992. Both are expected to be completed by October.
Similar 3-2 votes were cast when council asked for a follow-up report on interim City Manager Bill Kelly’s investigation of issues related to the failed Town Center project and discussed wording for an ordinance involving council member service on regional bodies.
These issues, as well as forthcoming votes on an ethics and whistle-blower ordinance, the rehabilitation of 15 city-owned Old Town residential structures, subsidies for Black Gold Golf Course repairs and potential city revenue losses, already have caused lively debate.
And no doubt that debate will continue through the 2010 municipal election, when seats now held by Anderson and Horton will be on the ballot. Although they were elected on similar “change” platforms in 2006, they long ago parted ways on many key topics.
Deep political and personal divisions among council members are obvious at meetings and in e-mails some council members have sent to constituents and consultants, as well.
Of the 29 individuals who have served on the council since incorporation in 1967, three didn’t seek a second term, and six were defeated in their attempts to win a second term.
During 42 years of cityhood, 194 candidates have appeared on 23 council ballots, and the elections with contentious issues usually draw larger fields of candidates—the number of contenders on a single ballot has ranged from three for one seat to 27 for all five seats.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 AM
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