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LA MIRADA, CA., AUGUST 30, 2013
VOL. 2, NO. 3
Brandywine Homes Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony La Mirada Citizens’ for The Orchards Neighborhood Oversight Board Begins Work By Randy Economy
Dirty Water: Employee, Central Basin Reach Deal in Harassment Allegation Against Apodaca By Brian Hews and Randy Economy Hews Media Group-Community News has obtained a 2010 Separation Agreement and General Release (SAGR) document via a public records request between a former employee and the Central Basin Municipal Water District that outlines payments to the employee for, according to sources, not filing sexual harassment charges against embattled CBMWD Board Director Robert “Bob” Apodaca. HMG-CN exclusively reported on a separate harassment claim against Apodaca brought by Sigrid H. Lopez and filed on July 3 of this year. The SAGR dictates a payment of $1,700 in vacation and sick leave, standard payout when an employee leaves an organization. It also paid $1,500 for one month of medical premiums and $4,300 for the amount the CBMWD would have paid to CalPERS for one year. But on the last line of the payment agreement, a 37-day salary-the “Severance Pay”- amounting to over $18,000 is listed. Total payout was $25,500. “A SAGR is typically a “gotcha” that specifies the terms of your termination, to your employer’s advantage,” says Jeff
See APODACA page 8
By Brian Hews Brandywine Homes marked the start of construction on The Orchards housing development with a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday. The new residential development on Alondra Blvd. will include 41 single family homes. “We are very excited about the enhancements this new neighborhood will bring to our community,” said Mayor Steve De Ruse. “Brandywine has a record of building quality neighborhoods throughout our region, and I’m certain The Orchards project will meet these high standards,” De Ruse added. “This neighborhood will be an im-
portant addition to the supply of quality and attractive homes in La Mirada.” The two-story, Craftsman-style homes will range from approximately 1,300 to 2,000 square feet. Each home will offer three or four bedrooms, two and one-half to three and one-half bathrooms, two-car attached garages and will feature private fenced rear yards. A new decorative block wall, perimeter landscaping, and street and sidewalk improvements will also be completed as part of the project. Four model homes will open in mid-November. “La Mirada is an excellent place to live and raise a family, and these homes will be fine addition to our community,” said City Manager Tom Robinson.
LM Named Finalist for ‘Most Business-Friendly City’ By Rico Dizon For the sixth consecutive year, La Mirada is a finalist for the “Most Business-Friendly City” award from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). La Mirada’s low cost of doing business, business recognition program, and low crime rate were cited as reasons for its selection. For over 50 years the City has worked closely with businesses to
meet their needs and promote economic vitality. “Businesses are an important part of La Mirada and we work to maintain positive relationships with the business community,” says City Manager designee Jeff Boynton. “Being named a six-time finalist for this award reflects La Mirada’s stability as an excellent business location.” The City maintains positive communication with the business community by
La Mirada’s Measure I Citizens’ Oversight Board held its first meeting this week. The panel includes five La Mirada residents selected based upon their experience and education in dealing with financial matters. The Citizens’ Oversight Board includes volunteers from various backgrounds and areas in the community. Each was nominated by a member of the City Council, and appointed to a four year term ending in the June following the end of the term of their nominating Councilmember. These volunteers will review actions taken by the City as part of the Measure I Infrastructure Repair program. The Citizens’ Oversight Board will meet quarterly, or more often if needed, to monitor progress on planning, engineering and construction of infrastructure repairs, renovations and improvements. The panel will monitor program performance, and review independent financial audits and reports prepared by the City and its consultants. The Citizens’ Oversight Board will maintain regular communication with the City Manager’s office, which coordinates the workings of the City’s finance and public works staff. This communication will enable the committee to effectively perform its oversight responsibilities by enhancing information gathering and decision-making. By developing a firm understanding of the Measure I Infrastructure Repair program, the Citizens’ Oversight Board will be positioned to ensure that funds are spent as intended. Each year the Citizens’ Oversight Board is anticipated to issue a report with its findings regarding the use of Measure I funds. The Citizens’ Oversight Board selected Phillip Massey, Certified Public Accountant/Senior Financial Officer at
See LA MIRADA page 9
See OVERSIGHT page 1
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APODACA
Continued from page 1 Ward a labor lawyer in Norwalk. “The agreement is a contract in which you relinquish your legal rights, while the severance is effectively a bribe to influence you to sign it,” Ward said. The document states, “if you do not enter into this agreement you will not be entitled to Severance Pay described above.” The second page defines the “Terms of the Agreement” and states, “this agreement shall not be in anyway construed as an admission by the district that it has acted wrongfully with respect to you.” It goes on to say that, “in exchange for the promises contained in this agreement the district will pay you the Severance Payment. You acknowledge that you would not be entitled to the Severance Payment but for the execution of this agreement.” “It is exactly what I said,” Ward commented after reviewing the document, “the person would not have received the severance unless they signed the document which released the District from all claims.” One clause in the SAGR states that the employee will “irrevocably release, acquit, and forever discharge the District and its employees against any claims. The clause specifically mentions “claims including but not limited to discrimination and harassment, based on race, religion…sex.” The agreement goes on to say, “you shall not bring any administrative or legal action and the employee waives and releases any rights they might have to recover in any lawsuit or proceeding brou3ght by them.” It also states that the employee will not disclose the agreement to anyone.
TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211 “The employee agreed that the consideration set forth in the SAGR, which is in addition to anything of value to which they might otherwise be entitled, constituted a complete and final settlement of any and all causes of actions or claims they had,” said Ward. “The employee has no recourse.” Several calls into Apodaca for comment went unanswered.
OVERSIGHT
Continued from page 1 Southern California Edison, to serve as chairman. Lee Olsen, a retired Manager/ Director of Finance, was selected as Vice Chairman. Also serving on the Oversight Board are: Changhai Ahn, School Principal and Publisher for The Town Newspaper; Hal Malkin, retired Businessman and Educator; and David Morfin, Human Resources Analyst for County of Los Angeles and Educator.A consulting firm has estimated that the one percent Measure I sales tax will generate approximately $4.5 to $5 million in revenues annually for a five year period. If these estimates are realized, the City may receive between $20 and $25 million during this five year period. These revenues will fund a portion of an aggressive infrastructure repair program, which has been estimated by an engineering firm to cost more than $67 million. The City intends to use other funding as it becomes available to pay for additional improvements. The Citizen’s Oversight Board was established by the City Council to inform the public concerning the City’s expenditure of funds received from a one percent supplemental sales tax authorized by more than 66 percent of La Mirada voters
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on November 6, 2012. The La Mirada Citizen’s Oversight Board will report whether Measure I sales tax revenues were spent for the repair, renovation, replacement or improvement of streets, roads, sewers, sidewalks, lighting, walls and other infrastructure in the community. The panel will also help to ensure that funds are spent in a planned and programmed manner to help maintain vital City services by preventing service level reductions caused by the need for more costly emergency repairs of infrastructure. Members of the City Council have expressed their intent that Measure I revenues be used to fund necessary infrastructure repairs. Measure I funds are also eligible to be used to maintain other vital City services if economic conditions change in the future. Meetings of the Citizens’ Oversight Board are held at La Mirada City Hall, and are open to the public. To promote transparency, all agendas are posted and available online. Meeting minutes are also available for public review.
LA MIRADA
Continued from page 1 reaching out to business to discuss issues, resolve barriers to growth, identify expansion opportunities and recognize accomplishments. This year, the City expanded its Business Recognition Program to highlight La Mirada business and community achievements at City Council meetings and City publications. Several new businesses have chosen to open in La Mirada recently, including Walgreens Pharmacy at the renovated Crossroads Shopping Center on the cor-
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ner of Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard. A new 35,000 square foot Walmart Neighborhood Market is set to open at the shopping center this fall along with other improvements. The LAEDC will announce its “Most Business Friendly City” award winner on November 14.
La Mirada City Council Forms City Charter Exploratory Committee The City Council established the City Charter Exploratory Committee during Tuesday’s meeting. The five member committee will be charged with reviewing the potential advantages of becoming a charter city and preparing a draft charter for the Council’s consideration. Applications will be accepted for those interested in serving on the City Charter Exploratory Committee until September 20. Committee members must be at least 18 years old, United States citizens and residents of La Mirada. The City Charter Exploratory Committee will meet at least monthly, or more often if needed, to review charter city issues and draft the proposed city charter. The committee will explore the differences between charter cities and general law cities, review municipal affairs over which charter cities have authority, identify advantages of becoming a charter city, discuss charter contents, and prepare a draft city charter. There are currently 121 charter cities in California, including nearby Buena Park, Cerritos and Whittier.
“Charter cities work under the homerule provision of the state constitution,” says City Manager Designee Jeff Boynton. “This committee will be looking at whether a charter could increase local control and provide other benefits for La Mirada.” Residents interested in serving on the committee may complete an application and submit it to City Hall by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20. Applications are available at City Hall and on the City’s website www.cityoflamirada.org.
AUGUST 23, 2013
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All That Dance Sept. 6 La Mirada’s All That Dance returns for another fun evening on Friday, Sept. 6, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the La Mirada Activity Center. Jim Gilman & Associates is set to play a variety of musical favorites that will make you want to get up and dance! Door prizes and refreshments will be provided. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door for $5. Ages 19 and over are welcome.
The new Santa Gertrudes Avenue sidewalks have alternating sidewalk and landscape strips and will include Camphor street trees and shrub plantings.
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