The Capistrano Insider

Former Capistrano Manager in the News, Again ...

Steve Julian's departure from Capistrano was ... complicated.

It doesn't seem any easier where he is ... was ... now, either.

From the Hollister Freelance:

San Juan Bautista City Manager Steve Julian has resigned from his job, but he does not intend to do anymore work in the role while noting his last official date of employment as June 30.

Julian had been working at the city for nearly three years. San Juan Bautista removed his interim title July 1 of last year, but through Wednesday he had continued working as an independent contractor as opposed to a full-time employee.

He made $10,000 per month - with no payroll taxes or Social Security deducted from his compensation - while creating his own schedule and failing to post his specific hours as required in the deal, according to his agreement along with a separate document revealing his reporting on hours had been incomplete.

That deal made last year when Julian's interim title was removed includes provisions requiring that the San Juan council - if it had decided to terminate the city manager - must give him 30 days notice while allowing him to "cure" any reasons for the firing during that time frame. The agreement includes a provision stating he can miss up to 30 consecutive days of work for any reason and still get paid for the time absent.

Click here for the entire story.

OC Register Says 'Yes on B'

The editorial ran a little bit ago, but it's not a huge surprise: The Register clings to its libertarian roots, and generally is against government telling people what to do with their land:

"While sentiments about aesthetics of one's neighborhood are understandable, the simple fact of owning a piece of land ought not qualify an individual to make determinations about the highest and best uses of neighboring properties. It is a fundamental violation of property rights – among the most significant rights of a free society, where you, not the king or the collective, owns your land – to give the public a veto over the use of private property."

The editorial does go a bit further, however, and says the Distrito project "appears" to be better for the city.

It concludes with:

A yes vote on Measure B is a vote for private property rights and a vote for a less-dense development with new retail space and more equestrian facilities for a city whose moniker is "The Equestrian Capital of the West Coast."

See the editorial here.

Election Getting Closer: Registrar Testing Voting Machines

From the Orange County Registrar of Voters:

Testing of Voting System for San Juan Capistrano

We will test the accuracy of our voting system Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. for the June 7, 2011 San Juan Capistrano Special Election.

The Logic and Accuracy test is required by law to be performed prior to each election. Logic and Accuracy tests include proofing the programming of the ballot, each ballot style and each contest position on the ballot. All previous tests of the voting system have proven it to be 100% accurate.

The process is open to the public. It will take place at our office at 1300 South Grand Avenue, Building C, Santa Ana.

Allevato Reports on Council Meeting -- Who Made Wall of Recognition?

Generally, I like this idea. Practically, though, the city needs to be sure to include the important information, or some folks will accuse them of hiding things and it will actually erode trust, rather than build it.

In the item about the error on the ballot statements for example, the City Clerk said it will cost as much as $6,600 to fix. That should be in the wrap up ... I'd also included information about the planned triathlon that will cut through town on September 25, causing some street closures and shutting down Ortega in both directions east of Antonio ...

 

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In an effort to keep our citizens informed of the actions your City Council takes in the interest of the community, I am once again providing a general recap of Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Last night, my council colleagues and I, acting as the Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors, directed staff to obtain an appraisal of Lower Rosan Ranch in order to accept proposals for the site. Lower Rosan Ranch is a 16.48-acre Redevelopment Agency-owned property nestled just north of Stonehill Drive. The City wants to sell or lease the vacant property to help stimulate the local economy and has been approached over the last few years by several entities, including Home Depot, that have expressed an interest in developing the site.

We were also delighted to receive a City flag back from Marine Gunnery Sergeant Joseph Morales, who flew it at different points of conflict in Afghanistan. Former Mayor Dr. Londres Uso, who joined us last night, gave Sgt. Morales the flag before he deployed overseas as a symbol of San Juan Capistrano's endless support for its selfless Marines. I was honored to accept the flag back from this dedicated Marine and his wife, Katia, and daughters, Kamille, and Josie. It will be placed in a shadow box to hang in city hall.

My colleagues and I adopted a resolution confirming a correction to resolutions (11-02-15-02; 11-02-15-03; 11-02-15-04) and the Ballot Label for Measure B, which voters will consider in a Special Election June 7. After the Voters' Information Pamphlet was mailed by the Registrar of Voters, an error was found in the ballot label and impartial analysis indicating that the Distrito La Novia-San Juan Meadows project is located "west" of Valle Road, when in fact it is located "east" of Valle Road. The Registrar of Voters was able to make corrections to the Official Ballots; the impartial analysis posted on the Registrar of Voters' and the City's websites have been corrected; and the full text of the resolution approving the general plan amendment with the correct location and maps was included in the Voters' Information Pamphlet, which clearly identifies the property subject to land use approvals. However, to ensure that no one is confused, we directed the city clerk's office to mail notices with the correction to residents.

On Tuesday, we also confirmed residents Mike Darnold, Matt Gaffney and Jean Vincenzi as the 2011 Honorees for our City's Wall of Recognition. The Wall of Recognition was created more than a decade ago to recognize individuals whose contributions and selfless efforts have made the City a more productive and pleasant place to live, work and play.

From service clubs to youth organizations, Mike Darnold, a 35-year resident, has been highly involved in our community and has donated countless hours to help make the City a more enjoyable place to live for youth and adults alike.

Matt Gaffney has been involved in the community most of his life. He has served on City boards and commissions since 1986 and has devoted his time to organizations such as the Historical Society and Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort.

An avid volunteer, Jean Vincenzi has lived in town since 1979. She has been involved with the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library, which raises funds to benefit the library, for the past 14 years and currently serves as president.

The names of these three dedicated individuals will be added to our Wall of Recognition at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center in a special ceremony at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 30.

US Supreme Court Gives Police More Authority to Enter Homes

From www.latimes.com:

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday gave police more leeway to break into residences in search of illegal drugs.

The justices in an 8-1 decision said officers who loudly knock on a door and then hear sounds suggesting evidence is being destroyed may break down the door and enter without a search warrant.

Residents who "attempt to destroy evidence have only themselves to blame" when police burst in, said Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.

In a lone dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she feared the ruling in a Kentucky case will give police an easy way to ignore the 4th Amendment. "Police officers may not knock, listen and then break the door down," she said, without violating the 4th Amendment.

In the past, the court has said police usually may not enter a home unless they have a search warrant or the permission of the owner. As Alito said, "The 4th Amendment has drawn a firm line at the entrance to the house."

See the entire report here.