The Public Works Director annual budgeted base salary is $204,350. Dr. It should also be noted that in Laguna Hills the only compensation that can be legally used to calculate an employees retirement pension is base salary, plus performance-based incentive pay. Tamara Letourneau Yorba Linda, California, United States 1K followers 500+ connections Join to view profile City of Laguna Niguel, CA Activity Sun Tzu said: "We shall be unable to turn. Laguna Hills has always prided itself in being a streamlined and efficient organization, and while there are only 27 full-time employees, the Citys actual total workforce is much higher. If elected, will Kogerman look to replace Channing as City Manager? She's reported from Navy ships, Osprey aircraft and training ranges throughout Southern California, explaining national and international warfare tactics and military equipment. That includes the Assistant City Manager as well, whose total compensation tops $320,600 a year, which is more than what all but four Orange County City Managers make. Laguna Hills has a population of fewer than 34,000, a staff of 26 full-time employees, and an annual operating budget of about $16 million, of which almost $1 million goes to city manager, assistant city manager, and deputy city manager compensation. It was discussed publicly afterward. The grand jury called in Kelly, Amante and Songstad, among others, and focused on that meeting at Chapman with Doti. Some people cant escape the pesky but dangerous bites, Southern California bakeries, smokehouses may be first in U.S. required to use electric ovens, Florida hospitals to start asking patients immigration status. All Rights Reserved. That is why good financial stewardship and transparency with regard to the expenditure of the Citys treasury is so important. With a City Manager compensation package totaling $460,541, 33,811 residents to serve, and only 27 full-time employees to supervise, the Laguna Hills City Council apparently thinks it should compensate its manager $13.63 to manage the needs of each resident and $17,067 to supervise each full-time employee, including himself. The resolution the City Council approved tonight merely restated a fact: that on Dec. 8, 2009, the Laguna Hills City Council on a 4 to 1 vote gave the city manager a bonus and salary package, Carruth said in an e-mail to the Register Tuesday night. I voted to adopt this resolution because it accurately states my no vote on the bonus package.. 22,307 people (73.5% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 7,668 people (25.3%) lived in rental housing units. The Deputy City Manager/Director of Community Services annual budgeted base salary is $208,229. Report this profile . I dont think theres any agreed-upon list of what constitutes compensation, so everyone has a figure of their own, Channing told the Watchdog. In 1894, Lewis Moulton purchased Rancho Niguel from Don Juan Avila and increased the original grant to 22,000 acres (89km2). Smoller resigned many, many months after the meeting with Doti, and Songstad doesnt see how the two can even be connected. Smoller, for his part, would only say this: I am gratified that a neutral third party has investigated and reviewed this matter., Kogerman, by email, said that the report demonstrates a level of unfettered arrogance that is all too often associated with career politicians and reveals an alarming, politically-motivated, organized attempt by individuals in positions of influence to misuse taxpayer assets in their efforts to manipulate the outcome of a political campaign. The voters elect five fellow citizens to the City Council for overlapping four-year terms. City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Regular Meeting Agenda 2 GENERAL BUSINESS - CONVENING AT 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER Resolution No. Its hard to justify the foolishness of this expenditure in a city with almost no infrastructure changes in decades. Chotkevys was out of town when the League survey was wrapped up and he said in an e-mail that he strongly disagrees with the approach of using Box-5 information because it does not provide a complete and accurate picture of compensation and cost to the city. As of February 2023, the combined total of all of the above-listed annual compensation items is estimated at $191,529. Popularity:#4 of 8 City Managers in Orange County#25 of 82 City Managers in California#342 in City Managers. I resigned because it was clear to me that a breakaway group from the (non-profit corporation) and other disgruntled elected leaders had convinced (university) administrators that I could no longer be an effective public face for the program, said Smollers resignation letter. Voters registered in Laguna Hills have until May 31 to sign a petition to place a Term Limits measure on the November ballot. Dial-A-Taxi Program For Seniors . The per capita income for the city was $36,133. Mr. Longenecker also receives additional benefits (retirement, health, disability and life insurances, auto allowance) that has a total annual value of $72,414. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Bruce Channing, Laguna Hills only city manager, to retire after 26 years, Colleges will have to look for new ways to promote diversity, Russia: A week after mutiny, many questions still remain, Man disputes his role in disgraceful Supreme Court LGBTQ ruling, The Supreme Court rules for a designer who doesnt want to make wedding websites for gay couples, Tourist filmed defacing Romes Colosseum has been identified, police say. Additionally, you can find a copy of the Citys organization chart depicting the reporting relationships and primary responsibilities of each department here. Laguna Hills, Orange Countys seventh-smallest city, compensates its City Manager more than any other city in the entire county, topping his nearest competitor by $105,000, according to a study commissioned by City Council candidate and Laguna Hills Term Limits Initiative Chair Barbara Kogerman. The Census reported that 29,975 people (98.8% of the population) lived in households, 233 (0.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 136 (0.4%) were institutionalized. Laguna Hills and Tustin should review the conduct of Songstad and Amante and determine what action should be taken so as to prevent future acts of misfeasance, and get them continuing ethical training; and the cities should refrain from attempting to exercise influence over public and private educational institutions, the grand jury said. No council person can exert power without colleagues in agreement at public meeting with discussion. Finance Director. It is my understanding that a number of city managers agree with my concerns expressed to the LOCC, he said, Based upon what I have heard, a number of people from outside of the public sector have also questioned the validity of using Box-5 information as well.. Meanwhile, the Laguna Hills City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to require city staff to post and update a report detailing compensation for executive staff and elected officials. Fax: 949-707-2614. The Register has requested pay data from all Orange County cities and as yet the paper does not have a comparison chart or a searchable database completed. The primary executive management functions of the City Manager are: City Council Support [24], The Laguna Hills Civic Center was an existing office building at 24035 El Toro Road near the Laguna Hills Mall which was bought and totally renovated by the city. The Council members that are due to receive meeting stipends in 2023 from the Boards on which they serve are as follows: Orange County Fire Authority Josh Sweeney: $100 meeting stipend ($300 maximum per month). On December 20, 1991, Laguna Hills officially became a City. Directions. In 2016, Laguna Hills approved a mall overhaul that would include 880K SF of both new and renovated retail space plus nearly 1,000 residential units, movie theater uses, medical office space and . Laguna Hills City Manager Villa Park, CA. Its disappointing the grand jury would think this was worthy of their time.. 25555 Alicia Parkway. In a neighboring San Juan Capistrano, Joe Tait holds two positions with Orange Countys oldest city: He is San Juan Capistranos city manager, and its utilities director. Next week will mark Channings 26th year as city manager, he said. Public Safety should be our first priority, not inflated staff salaries and benefits, or fancy monuments, Kogerman adds. We should be providing the services, transparency and citizen participation our neighboring cities offer. Whether uncovered or not, such activities have a chilling effect on challenging the status quo.. Join to view profile City of Laguna Hills. David Wheeler: $ 112.82 mo. Name Title Email Phone Additional Phone Reynolds, David Deputy City Manager: 949-707-2680 Class Registration . Appointed by the City Council, the City Manager reports to the Council on governmental matters. That includes the Assistant City Manager as well, whose total compensation tops $320,600 a year, which is more than what all but four Orange County City Managers make. At the 2000 census,[11] there were 31,178 people, 10,895 households and 7,942 families residing in the city. Erica Pezold: $ 2,594.18 mo. Laguna Hills operates under what is known as the Council-Manager form of Government. The Gerald R. Ford Foundation has awarded her coverage of National Defense. New sponsor, new vibe announced for US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, Disneyland closing 3 popular rides during peak of summer, Angels GM Perry Minasian says David Fletcher was recalled because he looked like Fletch, These 10 Orange County restaurants offer views for watching Fourth of July fireworks, Better move quickly if you want Oogie Boogie Bash tickets they sell out fast, Reparations task force gives recommendations on how California can atone for slavery, ESPN fires 20 on-air employees in latest round of job cuts, Where you can celebrate July 4, see fireworks in Orange County, I just want to be home: United Airlines cancellations, delays continue to multiply at Denver International Airport, What makes you a mosquito magnet? Amante agrees. I think they are completely way off base, Songstad said. Mission Statement . As of February 2023, the combined total of all of the above-listed annual compensation items is estimated at $269,623. Outraged, Kogerman filed a complaint with the grand jury, asking it to investigate the harassment of Smoller. Laguna Hills is historically a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. And that the university president and the professor were bright individuals who could see the relationship and that it wouldnt be smart to slam city managers. LAGUNA HILLS The city is saying goodbye to the only city manager it has ever known. Find 6 City Managers within 17.1 miles of Laguna Hills City Manager. This can vary widely from year-to-year depending on the circumstances and demands of City business. He acknowledged that there wasnt any threat but it was just sort of self evident, the grand jury says. All management salaries are set by the City Council pursuant to authorizing Resolutions adopted at public meetings. Collectively, they serve as department heads over all City operations. Yet despite these financial excesses, this City Council decided to eliminate two sheriffs deputies. Phone: 949-707-2680. Now, Kogerman wasnt mad at Smoller for the public smack; she felt for him. Are there still human remains in Titanic wreckage? Forms, Maps & Documents . Smith and Voshall have been pouring over data since early February as cities throughout the county have responded to Kogermans Public Records Requests that provided the comparison figures for the just-released report. The average small-city total compensation is $262,196. In addition to the monthly stipends, CalPERS contribution, and insurance premiums as stated above, City Council members may be reimbursed for their routine travel and incidental expenses associated with attending training, meetings, or other official business pertaining to the City. google_ad_height = 60; She earned her M.F.A. Channing has been the City Manager all that time. Laguna Hills strives to offer superior recreation programs for all ages. Are there still human remains in Titanic wreckage? On the other hand, Anaheim, with a population of 348,467, compensates its City Manager $317,923. Of those, 7,002 (38.44%) are registered Republicans, 5,261 (28.88%) are registered Democrats, and 5,143 (28.23%) have no political party preference/are independents. City Council. These figures are in line with other large cities in the county, and they mean that Laguna Hills pays its top manager 15 times as much per resident and 107 times as much per employee versus great-big Anaheim. Erika has a comprehensive understanding of issues affecting South Orange County communities, including coastal access and the environment, the plight of marine mammal entanglements, water quality, development, local harbors and quality of life in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente. Laguna Hills Community Center and Sports Complex Parking Lots, located at 25555 Alicia . Those students were assigned to Kogermans project by Fred Smoller, who was then the director of Brandmans graduate program in public administration. Joe Ortiz Sewer Superintendent at City of Woodruff Lyman, SC. The population density was 4,911.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,896.2/km2). She's won many first-place awards from the Los Angeles and Orange County press clubs. Teri Sforza is one of the lead reporters on the OCR/SCNG probe of fraud, abuse and death in the Southern California addiction treatment industry. The Council, in turn, selects one of its members to serve as Mayor for a one-year term. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. Fax: 949-707-2633. The Orange County Grand Jury is concerned that these efforts were an attempt to interfere with the academic freedom and the curriculum of an educational institution, and that these elected officials misused their position as directors of a publically funded, non-profit political organization, and their political offices, to attempt to influence the operation of an independent university, its governing officials, and its faculty and students. The average household size was 2.86. The total annual value of all the aforementioned benefits provided to the City Manager is estimated at $88,999. Moulton and his partner, Jean Piedra Daguerre, used the ranch to raise sheep and cattle. According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, Laguna Hills has 18,217 registered voters. The history of the communications is evidence of the existence of the pressure being brought to bear upon the university and the professor. In addition, it appears that the university, its governing officials, faculty, and students were being influenced by the public officials for the purpose of manipulating circumstances related to a local election. To the extent that an employee has his or her vacation bought out by the City, or if it is cashed out by the employee, it is taxable compensation. The video series features candid interviews with city managers from across California talking about the council-manager relationship, their favorite accomplishments as managers and their love for the profession . Heres the breakdown (See linked document for details and information on other department heads and city council members): Chotkevys gross pay includes a base annual salary of $203,483, unused sick/vacation leave payout of $23,479, city vehicle use for $3,404, and a cell phone stipend of $1,320, for a gross pay of $231,686. Our "Rehab Riviera" coverage won first place for investigative reporting from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, first place for projects reporting from Best of the West and is a finalist for the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation's print award, competing with the New York Times, the Washington Post and ProPublica. These numbers do not, however, include health insurance costs, or employer payments to retirement programs things Laguna Hills council candidate Barbara Kogerman included in her recent survey totals, and which some let-the-sun-shine-in types are embracing as a better measure of true compensation. The Orange County, California, City Managers Compensation Report, by Brandman University (a part of the Chapman University system) Public Administration graduate students Cynthia Smith and Janice Voshall, reveals that Laguna Hills funds a city manager compensation package that is totally inconsistent with those of the remaining 33 county cities. After 29 years of service to the City of Laguna Hills, City Manager, Don White, is announcing that he will be leaving the City before the end of the month. The Moulton Ranch was eventually subdivided in the early 1960s, and part of the division became today's Laguna Hills. Incorporation efforts began in 1987 and on March 5, 1991, 86% of the residents voted in favor of forming the City of Laguna Hills. [21], In the United States House of Representatives, Laguna Hills is split between California's 40th congressional district, represented by Republican Young Kim,[22] and California's 47th congressional district, represented by Democrat Katie Porter.[23].