Council honors retiring Assistant City Manager and approves a measure for the November ballot
The City Council on Tuesday recognized Mission Viejo’s retiring Assistant City Manager; and approved ongoing service of the MV Shuttle; and a measure for the November ballot.
For his tremendous efforts since he began working for this City in 1995, retiring Assistant City Manager Keith Rattay was honored by the Council and Rep. Young Kim for his outstanding legacy of service to the community. Keith’s creative energies have left an indelible impact on Mission Viejo. He distinctively etched his artistic mark across the entire City, iconic events, businesses and much more.
Following the findings from the Community Opinion Survey presented at the May 14 City Council Meeting, the Council held a Public Hearing to consider a potential ballot measure to increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Mission Viejo has a lower TOT than surrounding cities and the Orange County average. Survey results show that the community appears to be in favor of making the TOT more in line with other Orange County cities. The Council voted unanimously to send the measure to the voters on the November General Election ballot.
Council Members also passed an amendment for continued service of the MV Shuttle.
In other Council news, Orange County Fire Authority Fire Chief Cheyne Maule discussed recent incidents, spoke about safety precautions for the use of lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and EVs, and shared information on the OCFA’s acquisition of two new Firehawk helicopters, which will soon be in service. Each helicopter can carry 1,000 gallons of water and will be a great assistance as the region heads into fire season.
Per Council policy dating back to 1994, the City Council is dark through August 27. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the City's eNewsletter and follow the City's official social media sites for the most accurate, up-to-date information.
Comments
What is the reason behind…
What is the reason behind the City not using social media to inform our residents that council members are going on a two week tax funded trip to the Paris Summer Olympics in the name of International Diplomacy?
Why hasn't the City Council disclosed that the visiting foreign Olympic athletes will be subsidized and yet the Council voted recently to increase fees for the public who use the City's recreational facilities?
Why hasn't the City included in any of its council meeting Press Releases, information on Goodell's taxpayer funded international travels?
Who is deciding "what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know" ?
Government Code Section 54950, states in part:
"The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the
agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do
not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for
the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people
insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the
instruments they have created."
This council majority, who intended to retain their offices beyond their elected terms, continues to be the least transparent council in the history of our City. The problem for the voters: Bucknum, Goodell and Kelley are termed out and appear to have little concern about accountability.
The City of Mission Viejo…
The City of Mission Viejo hosted the Cycling Road Race in 1984 during the Summer Olympics. Once again Los Angeles will have the Summer Olympics in 2028 so I think it's highly appropriate for city council members to attend the Paris Summer Olympics later this month so we as a city can better position ourselves for hosting some event in 2028.
We did not become a City…
We did not become a City until 1988.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Headquarters is located in Colorado Springs, CO., not Paris, France.
If the City believed that these tax funded trips are supported by the public, then why are they not publicizing these endeavors?
It does not appear that Goodell is trying to bring Olympic events to the City. He is pursuing an invitation to foreign Olympic teams to use our facilities at minimal costs for training.
The City is holding everything close to the vest. There is minimal public information. The Minutes are not reflective of council discussions. Consequently, the public is not getting timely or sufficient information to make an informed decision.
The main point of this press release is about the retirement of the assistant city manager. You would think that council members going to the Olympics for "International Diplomacy" would be a significant development.
And again, is Goodell using our tax dollars for his personal agenda?