Hello. Welcome everyone. My name is Margot Rieg. I'm the acting president for the Wittier League of Women Voters and the current president of the LA County League of Women Voters. I'd like to welcome all of you to this candidate forum for the La Haber Heights City Council. We haven't been up here for a few years with 2020 intervening and so forth. It's been maybe five years since we've had a La Haber Heights forum that I've been involved with. We'd like to thank each of the candidates for being here this evening and for being willing to answer questions from you, their constituents. And we thank you, the audience for coming and being willing to support your candidates and to inquire about questions that deal with issues in the city that you are concerned about. And I, greetings to those of you who will be watching on cable or YouTube. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that aims to promote informed participation of citizens in government. The League conducts candidates forums to provide people the opportunity to see and hear the candidates who seek to serve in public office and to ask questions of them. We have been putting on forums and la Haber Heights and cities in the Whittier area for over 40 years. The league never supports or opposes candidates for any political office at any level. All candidates running for the council were invited to participate in this forum and to submit a statement. And I have to apologize because I did not pull Garcia's statement off of the vote for 111 website. So it does not show in the program. But if you go to vote for 111, which is our state legal women voters candidate website and type in your address you will be able to find all the races that are specifically on your La Haber Heights ballot and you will find that Ms. Garcia has posted a profile. As you may know, the restrooms are located in a adjacent part of the building. And we would appreciate it if you would silence your cell phones or if you need to make a call, go outside. Okay. I will be functioning as the moderator for this forum this evening. And we have seated in the front row, Kathy Kingett, who will be the timekeeper, and she has signed the hold up so that both the audience and the candidates can see when they have see how much time they have left and then there's a stop sign. And one thing I'd like to remind the candidates is that when that stop sign goes on, goes up, you don't have to just clamp your mouth shut. You can finish your sentence. We just ask that it doesn't extend itself into a paragraph. I also have a colleague with me tonight, Loretta Gonzalez, who is going to be sorting questions and forwarding them to me. The questions will be sorted for one thing, for appropriateness to city level governance and for civility and clarity. And in an hour's forum, we will have time for maybe a dozen or 15 questions. So we'll see if we have, when there are questions that are overlapping, we sometimes combine them so that we can get to more topics. Okay. Each candidate will have two minutes to give an opening statement and then they will have one minute to answer each question. They will have one minute to give a closing statement. The opening statements will be given starting with Mr. Steffier and moving to Miss Engelhart. Closing statements will be in reverse order. The questions, as I ask the questions, I will rotate who starts and let you all know who answers second and third. So I think we should begin. I'd like to introduce Mr. Greg Steffier, who is our first candidate this evening. I'm Good evening. I can find the evidence you want to hold on to. Also? You think so? Okay. Also on the website you can communicate with me. You can make questions. You can make suggestions. God knows I need them. But please feel free to visit it. Our President City Council has done an exceptional job of spelling out their priorities for the 2025 year. The first goal that the council has set, which I wanted to support, is to preserve and enhance the residential rural character and introduce your lifestyle in the little harbor heights. That is not shared as why I am running. During my years in the planning commission I became convinced that we can and should do a better job and ensuring that approved bidding projects are consistent with the general plan. When once built properties are maintained to meet fire prevention and health and safety concerns, the City Council sets policy. I want to be part of that policy setting. The current council has begun to strengthen code enforcement. Our fire department has expanded its outreach to minimize fuel for wildfires and has done so in a respectful and effective manner. This year's heavy rains, mudslides and property damage represent risks not previously considered. We need to better align our land uses who anticipate and proactively mitigate these extreme weather events. That includes us seeking grant funding specifically to deal with these kind of unexpected and unplanned events. Thank you very much. I look forward to your questions. Thank you. Next we will hear from Christabel Garcia. Hello. Good afternoon. I'm Christabel Garcia. I'm running for city council. I'm going to be my first time running for city council at this big. I have served a position at Servedals College as a senator at Servedals College to care for the students. And parents who also want to continue education at Serveda College to care for the students and parents who also want to continue education at Serieta College. But in La Habra Heights, I want to improve and serve better the community and to also help out the equestrian community. If I join the City Council, I will be able to be that voice for the equestrians in the community and I will continue to maintain continuing to fight to maintain La Habra Heights rural. Thank you. Thank you. And finally we will hear from Carol Engelhart. Hello. Good evening and thanks to the league for posting this. You as residents, voters should select the individuals who would do the best job in protecting your safety, your property values and your town. You should hire the candidates with demonstrated loyalty to the community and expertise to make hard decisions concerning your tax dollars. I grew up in the Heights, went to a little joint La Habra High, a lot of agree from UCLA. I got a 40-year legal degree, and I know laws, real property, and dealing with conflicts. When I was on the council elected in 94 through 2003, we started paving the streets and we balanced the budget. I just did the last two years of James' term and I think I have some good accomplishments. I discovered that we were paying 30% more than any other cities for our attorneys, so we got it. One month was $45,000 bill. So we got a new attorney. He's also the attorney for your Belinda in Villa Park and he's a reasonable rate. The traffic signal at Avocado Crest was stalled. I started pushing that. And if you look at your property tax bill, you will see you pay a measure W of 2.4 cents a square foot of your house and Lahabra Heights almost forfeited $500,000 because we hadn't applied for it. The city is currently in good financial shape. We're expecting the new fire engine in November and the signal should be in by early next year. I'm seeking the position because I want to preserve the Le Haber Heights we all love. The issues facing the city are state attacks on single family home dwelling, home zoning, paving the roads with the huge inflation factor, balancing the budget, funding the paramedic program, getting the apparatus paid, and the sheriff's contract making sure it works for all residents. I have started a fledgling grant committee to look for much needed revenue and I've been fostering volunteers to get more people and get city hall more responsive. You have two votes. You should hire the most experienced proven competent candidates to deal with these complex issues. I would appreciate your vote. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Now we will begin with the questions. And if you would like to submit a question, there are cards and pens on the table at the back and you can bring them around to our question's order who will screen them for us. The first question we will address asks what commissions and committees have you served on in La Haber Heights. And for this question, we will begin with Ms. Engelhart, go to Mr. Steffier and with Ms. Garcia. Well, I was on the council as I indicated. And I was also on park and wreck. I've been on the planning commission I've helped with the avocado festival and I also am an official trashologist and pick up the trash on Hussie M. to Boulevard Thank you mr. Stefan I spent 10 years on the planning commission the last five is chairman I'm back on the planning commission. The last five is Chairman. I'm back on the planning commission now thanks to Mary Engelhart's appointing me to a gap opening. I ran Firewatch as the administrative officer for almost 20 years and I've done a whole lot of other things including helping keep positive and erode a road not a boulevard Thank you miss Garcia I currently haven't served them any city council meetings at this figure I mean any city council position at this big, but I do have experience from servitals college serving as a senator for Almost two years and being the voice for students That is all that I have. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. This question asks, what is your motivation for seeking a council position? And for this be, we'll begin with Ms. Garcia, go to Miss Engelhart and with Mr. Staffer. My motivation for seeking the City Council is to of course be a voice for the citizens and to see any improvements that there are in La Habra Heights. I'd like to listen to people's concerns and just see what solutions we are able to find and just find common ground. And with this position I will be able to do my best and just finding find common ground. And with this position, I will be able to do my best and just finding a common ground with any issues that there are and just looking for solutions that there are. I'm in a question here in La Haber Heights, so it is my main focus to try to just protect the equestrian community, improve any trails, and such. Thank you. Miss Engelhart. Well, as I indicated, I grow up here and I love the Haber Heights and I love the people in the Haber Heights because we're kind of an ornery breed that's willing to live on an acre or a half acre and weed and deal with the coyotes and the gophers. And we are very fortunate to live in this special place and there's all kinds of pressures and I would like to do my best to make sure that we maintain our city as much as we can the way it is, especially with the state coming down on us. So that's why I'm running. Thank you. Mr. Stephair. As a planning commissioner, I wasn't able to make policy. I had to enforce policy that had already been made. I want to make policy. I believe that by making myself a council person, I can assist the council in keeping to a rural heritage and building and being consistent with the lifestyle that we all love in the city. The council has done a good job. I think I can help. Thanks. Thank you. This is sort of a combined question. First, explain the role of a city council person and what areas of government does the council oversee? And we will begin with Ms. Engelhart, go to Mr. Stephyer and end with Ms. Garcia. What areas does it oversee? Yeah. What? Yeah. That's what the question asks. What areas of government does the council oversee? So I suppose what are the chief responsibilities of the council as a whole? Okay. Well, theoretically, and if you read our code, the council is supposed to be limited to policy. But a two prior council people, and I agree, say that in a small town like ours with a really small staff, the council has to do more than just sit tight. And we've had a lot of good work by our councilmen. I see councilmen, there are these here in councilmen Bergman. They've been on the fire, they've been on the road subcommittee and they've participated in getting, oh, they brought the trash subcommittee and then they're on the road subcommittee. Mr. Pisces here, he's been active with emergency preparedness. My point is the council can't just sit. They have to bring their active participation without interfering with staff. In our town, I think we deal with the areas as they pop up, unfortunately. Thank you. Mr. Stephair. The city council, of course, municipalities are the smallest unit of government we have. They're the closest to people. We affect people directly. The city council wields the power of the city as responsibility for its money, wisely spending money, wisely making money and taking care of the safety of each person here. I agree with Mary Engelhardt that in reality we have to be very close to the people and we have to do more than just sit in a council meetings. We have to continue to participate in every piece of the city's life and do it in the best possible fashion. Council is our most important entity here in this city but they are just residents after all. Thanks. The city council is the voice for the citizens. The city council gets to decide what is best for the citizens, where we should direct our money towards and our funds towards. And it also listens for the concerns of the citizens and see what we can better do to equip La Habra Heights in case there is a fire or disaster relief and just to communicate and connect more with the citizens. That is what I see in the City Council. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we're moving on to a quite different subject at this point. Please explain how a hazard mitigation plan can help our city. And we will begin with Mr. Steffier. Go to Ms. Garcia and end with Ms. Engelhart. If nothing brings us to this subject other than the rains and the tremendous mudslides and difficulties we experienced in the first half of 2024. We don't need to really answer this question. There are great hazards in our city. We weren't designed to be able to deal with the kind of extreme climate events we're going to be experiencing and we have experienced. We need to take a new fresh look at how to build a city that is tolerant and resilient in these events. Hazardous mitigation, I applaud the emergency response committee. I fire watch said the same kind of work. A lot of that is just finding and doing the best we possibly can but anticipating that this world is changing on us and we have to change with it. Thank you. Ms. Garcia. The hazard mitigation plan is actually something that I haven't heard and is the first time I'm actually hearing about it. But I do believe that citizens should be equipped in anything that it comes to disaster relief fires. La Habra Heights is more prone to fires and landslides and something that I believe that we should add on to the landslides is to basically To protect us from the landslides is to have native plants the native plants that are going to be native in California We'll help us from any landslides and protect any houses from landslides Apparently there are many residents struggling with still like their Their walls and anything that is falling from the landslides that recently happened from the rain and February. So I believe that we should move on forward into the native plants. Thank you. Thank you. Miss Ainglehart. My understanding is we have to have an approved hazard mitigation plan or we might lose potential funding sources and we do have a very active EPC emergency preparedness committee that's been working really hard to get all kinds of mitigation and warning programs in place. Okay, thank you. Now we're moving on to housing and this is a big issue in many cities in California. This person states, the state usurped local control of planning through SB 9 and 10 by Scott weiner of San Francisco Given this action and a general need for housing Should la Haber Heights drop its one acre zoning if not what would you do to reverse state mandates and support local planning and we will begin with Miss Anglehart, Godamus Garcia and the end with Mr. Steffire. I think personally and I believe the majority of the residents here want to do the most we can to keep our 1-8 rezoning as long as we possibly can. It is true that the state has, what is it, SB 9 and then they've authorized the ADU development and they are constantly eating away at local control. The city has been trying to do its best to protect your properties and to protect our city. I don't know that we can reverse what the state does, but we're under there. They have more power than we do. But we can watch it closely and we can tweak some of our ordinances to make the mandates less onerous. Thank you, Mr. Stafford. Ms. Garcia. Oh, in this case, I would agree with Miss Engelhart. I can get it. I'm sorry. Because, you know, the one acre zoning actually makes La Habra Heights well rural, and that's what makes the beauty of La Habra Heights and living in La Habra Heights. So I would agree most like with Miss Engelhart and everything that she says. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Stephyer. The most current issue is the requirement by the HCD for us to modify our general plan to deal with this requirement for additional housing units. This is a unique city. We don't have sewers except in a tiny part of the city. We exist on very unusually show-a-shaped and very uphill and downhill lots. ADU's help, but again in many of the one acre lots and bigger, there really isn't room for an ADU just because of the shape of the lot. There's not such thing as a reasonably shaped lot in the city. So I think what we do is we continue our work to bring the general plan into play. And then we question it incidentally, there is some litigation going on for several cities against the HCD and our deem to be impossibly survivable conditions. Thanks. Thank you. Continuing with this same topic since it's a big issue in many cities, how should How should, LaHobber Heights, try to meet your state regional housing needs allocation quota? And we will begin, Stephair, goad and work our way down the table. Well, that's really the goal of trying to develop the housing plan in the general plan. That's going to have to take a lot of people's talk and discussion. We can formulate it now and we have done it on paper. We're still fighting on our words. But at the end of the day, there is precious little land to build multi-unit housing. This precious little resource is to be able to do it. So at some point in time, it becomes a puric act. We'll have to find out. Some cities can do it easily, but we're not a concrete city. Okay, thank you. Ms. Garcia. I have actually not looked into the state regional housing quota, but I will do my research and learn more about it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Miss Engelhart. This is a difficult question. And in the past, the city has tried to meet these requirements. We did rezone some property across Harbor. And at the present time we're going to try to make a program that the housing and the state housing authority will approve anything will be brought to the citizens in public hearing. If we don't satisfy these requirements the city faces potential fines and the fact that there's something called the builders remedy under this, the combination of the housing and the builders have created this remedy where somebody can buy property and build anything they want in your town if you don't have an approved housing element. So we're going to have to do something to satisfy housing and we're working on it. Okay, thank you. If you were, get to the point where you have to put low-income housing in the city, where might that be appropriate? And we'll begin with Ms. Engelhart or Mr. Steph Iron and with Ms. Garcia. Well, speaking as a resident and hoping, I think we would like to put the low income in a place that's closest to facilities so they can go shopping and the people have access to stores and transportation and also obviously it has to be near sewers. The only sewers we have in the heights are there's some a little bit on West Row and a little bit on Hasey Enda. So I guess I'm going to answer the question and say those parameters sort of dictate where it could potentially be placed. Okay, thank you. Mr. Steffar. I don't think there's, we know enough about how we might approach that, frankly. I agree with Mary Engelhart that it's a thorny problem and hopefully we can avoid having to do it. This is not the kind of city that is designed to be able to build in multi-family units. I mean, just for the lack of sewer loan, you can't do that. So at some point in time laws become impossible to respond to. Can we do it? Maybe, but I doubt it very seriously. Thank you. Ms. Garcia. For the low income housing, I would have to agree with Ms. Carol A. Are you last name again? I'm going to go on. Go on. OK, there you go. I'm sorry. Ms. Carol Anglehart and everything that she says, but also to place the citizens in a safe place in La Habra Heights. I know in La Habra Heights it's really known for just its kind of like safety and just like it's spacious locations and the one acre zoning and to just place the residents in the safe spot where they can also enjoy the beauty of La Habra Heights and to the hiking trails as well. Thank you. Thank you. This question asks do you think we have just enough, not enough, or too much, sheriff coverage? If you think we need more, how would you pay for it? And for this, we will begin with Ms. Garcia, go to Ms. Engelhart and with Mr. Stephyer. I'm sorry, can you repeat the question again? Do you think we have just enough, not enough or too much, sheriff coverage? If you think we need more, how would you pay for it? Sheriff coverage. For the coverage of La Habra Heights, I have actually not looked into the sheriff coverage. Again, I will do my research. But this is associating with the coverage of covering the cost of anything in La Haber Heights. I think we should increase the coverage and to have better safety for the citizens in La Haber Heights and for coverage, including associating with landslides in the rain because they know some residents are still going through issues with the retaining walls and the roofs. Thank you. Thank you. Ms. Engelhart. Well, I'm sure most people feel there's never enough coverage. We are very fortunate. We know you have a really low crime rate and we have a designated deputy. We have also a very limited budget and we are spending around $900,000 a year just on the sheriff's contract alone and that is a factor we have to take into consideration. I think it's very important that you let experienced people who know how to manage money and have experience in the real world to deal with these issues because the council does have some say in how much coverage there is, the hours, the rotation, the types of coverage. So you want an experienced knowledgeable person on your council to make those decisions. Thank you, Mr. Steffier. We're a low crime city, thankfully. And part of that is because we're hidden here in the valley. And part of that is because we are using the sheriff's as well as we can afford to use them. Realistically, we don't have any ability to severely negotiate the price of the sheriff's services. We're too small. I think the council has done in the past and has meant a very good balance between cost and service. I think that we will continue to try to do what we can, but again, we're small. We have very little leverage with the sheriffiffs, and there really are no other options other than looking to other cities like Whittier or LaHabra. We've looked at that before. Maybe we'll look at it sometime again. But right now, I think I'm fairly comfortable with the safety we have for the dollars we spend. Thank you. Let's move on then to our local volunteer fire department. Is it functioning well and do you think that it is adequate for the needs of the city? And we will begin with Mr. Steeff, I to Ms. Garcia and end with Ms. Eggman Hart. I just love our fire department. I would say to this, we have the best weed abatement program I've ever seen. And I want to thank Al Alcaldi, who's our fire marshal, how's retiring at the end of this year and Ryan Jorgensen a captain is taking over for him. They've done a superb job of helping clean the city, helping clear weeds without really beating people up too badly. There are unfortunately a lot of people in the city that don't pay real good attention to that, and we've done a good job of not alienating everyone, but getting a lot clearer. The volunteer firefighters that work for us, the young men and women, that are manning our engines, are wonderful young people and they're doing a great job and I'm so proud that we are able to help educate them. Thank you. Ms. Garcia. Yes, I actually do live a local fire department. I thank them for helping me my accident with my recent horseback riding incidents. I also do have a friend that is doing the public. I'm not sure if you're interested in the public. I'm not sure if you're interested in the public. I'm not sure if you're interested in the public. I'm not sure if you're interested in the public. I'm not sure if you're interested in the public. I'm not sure if you're interested in the public. Ms. Engelheim. As far as I know, I've heard very positive things. I'm always receptive if people have complaints. I know there are some people that feel the brush program is not as vigorous as it should be or as annual, but in terms of the actual fire department, I think Chief Brachyzer is really a positive force, and the paramedic program is up to snuff, although it's very expensive for our city. It's interesting that Los Angeles County requires us to have two paramedics at all times, whereas Orange County and other counties only require one. So we have that extra cost we have to deal with. But as far as I know and I have not heard much from residents other than maybe the brush issue that there's any complaints about the fire department. Thank you. Now we're going into the city's budget. What do you think of the city's budget? What areas do you think we should spend more or less or differently on? And we will begin with Ms. Engelhart, go to Mr. Stephair and with Ms. Garcia. Well, I think the basic budget is pretty solid. And last year I think we're balanced or came out ahead where we have potential issues is one is the roads program because we have everybody pays a road tax that was voted in but that was several years ago and the costs have just skyrocketed. We just put out a bid or a program that's going to be starting right now at Hussie End and by Lucadia and it came in at a million nine hundred thousand when we thought it was going to be about a million. So that money has to come from somewhere. The paramedics as I indicated, they, when I was on the council before we didn't even have paramedics and now they're costing between three and 400,000 a year and our budget is limited so We have to work to fill those gaps in my opinion, but other than that, I think our staff does a really good job on the budget Thank you mr.. Steffier. Probably the most I think the budget's an excellent composition. I did a city council before this one Have been very good stewards of our money. They certainly have we have we have a fun balance It's in far better than most cities of our size. Maybe all cities of our size the challenge We're gonna face is this city has to be maintained and that's the hardest part. Maintaining the roads, maintaining the water storm damage and sewage issues. All of those things cost money. We can get grants in many areas. So my view of the upcoming four years is we have to spread more and more and more time trying to gain grants to supplement our existing general revenue for Stroke because after all our revenues are not sales tax their residential property taxes. Thank you. Ms. Garcia. I have not previously served on the City Council so I do not know much about the city's budget. I can say is that I do have experience from St. Louis College, annoying more to direct our funds in our budget, either to clubs, campus events, or just students' resources. That is all I have. Thank you. Thank you. This person asks, do you think that the city needs to have more staff members and for this we will begin with Mr. Staffer, go to Ms. Engelhart and end with Ms. Garcia. Well, a city like ours has to ask that's elected officials appointed officials to perform employee jobs. Yes, I think the answer is we do. I have this personal concern when I started on the planning commission 15 years ago now. We had our principal planner and we had three assistant planners. We now have no principal planner and one assistant planner and our city manager and you know, I'm a city manager hopefully our city manager who was our principal planner has to do planning too. I've seen it in the planning process where we need those that help. We certainly need more help and code enforcement as well although the city council has taken a good step in that direction. Thank you. Miss Engelhard? Well, actually our ordinances say the city manager figures out the staff. I have heard when I first got on the council two years ago, I was hearing a lot that you couldn't even get into city hall and people wouldn't call you back. There's been a big push in the last two years to improve that situation and if I'm elected I would continue to move in that direction. We could always use probably more staff members but again we have a budget we have to balance and it is possible that we could as Mr. Stiffler said get some volunteers to do some things that might take the load off the staff members. Okay. Ms. Garcia. I do think that we do need new staff members, but hearing from the other candidates, the budget is probably very limited. And so it would be a good idea to have volunteers. Since I am part more towards the younger generation, I would be able to be telling the younger people that they can volunteer their time at City Hall while they're also in school, and they can also serve their community in any way possible. And that can also help the community a lot where they can hear the younger voices concerned, and they can also communicate with the older generation. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. This question asks, are you in favor of continuing to hold a vote to support maintenance of the roads within the city of La Haber Heights? And we will begin with Ms. Garcia, go to Ms. Engelhart, and end with Mr. Stephart. I'm sorry, Ms. Stephart. Are you in favor of continuing the policy of having to vote to maintain, vote on taxes to maintain the roads? Okay. Yes, I am in favor of the policy to maintain the roads. There's still a lot of roads in La Habra Heights that do need a lot of maintenance. Unfortunately, I think if it's the chemical that they use, I forgot exactly what chemical it is that they use, but these are certain type of cement in La Habra Heights that needs to be almost cleaned up or just fixed almost every year, but it's just something that we should look into probably fixing and seeing what other solutions we can use to fix the roads and the harbor heights. Everywhere that you drive in the harbor heights there's probably some areas where it's a little bumpy or it just needs a little fixtures and anything that is possible. Thank you. Thank you. Miss Engelhart. I guess I would like to inquire of Miss Gar Garce, candid at Garcea, what she thinks. It sounds like she thinks we're using inferior products. No, no. No, that's not it. It's just that the roads that we have, they have to maintain it almost like every year or every certain years. So I think it would be nice if we can just find a solution to fix the other roads like any potholes that there are in the hot rides. Well, the question, thank you, I didn't really understand. The question is, are you in favor of the law requires that if you're going to make an assessment on residents for fixing the roads, it has to go to a vote. So yes, I'm in favor because that's the law. for fixing the roads it has to go to a vote. Okay, so. Yes, I'm in favor because that's a law. Thank you, Mr. Stiffr. Well, the law requires it. So we're going to continue it as long as the law requires it. Thank you. This is another question about residents having to pay. Should residents have to pay a 33% trash tax and will begin with Mr. Stefair, go to Ms. Garcia and end with Ms Miss Engelhart. I've read the new trash contract. What a strange contract. Anyway, I just finished figuring out what our trash under the Ware operation looks like is going to cost us. There's no such thing as a tax upon that. But buried in the contract there is an indication that there may be excessive expenditures that will make up part of the actual cost. There isn't a 33% tax in it, but there's a 33% opportunity for the vendor to be able to price that into their service. So much with this brand of contract, there's a lot we need to learn about it that we don't know yet. Okay, thank you. Miss Garcia. We do have a new trash company here in La Haber Heights and I have seen and heard a lot of complaints with the new trash company in La Haber Heights. I will continue to look into solutions and maybe just giving public comments to see if we can find common ground or any solutions that we can do for the trash. Thank you. Okay, Ms. Engelhart. I did want to say when I drove here tonight I came from avocado press to Dorothy, a down-tomb and it's trash day tomorrow and there's like solid walls between the republicans and the weircans. I really don't know what the 33% trash tax, I would have to know what the question asker was referring to. Right. So there's no more on here than that simple question. So. that simple question. So, this is going into another topic and we may have to use our internet. Does the city currently have an ISO rating? What is the number and what is it used for? And we will begin with Mr. Staffer. Well, the term ISO stands for the International Standards Organization. It applies to manufacturing and various types of commercial enterprises. I'm not aware of any application of the ISO to municipal government, so I can't answer that. Beyond that. OK. Does anyone else want to offer an opinion on this one? My understanding, I think the ISO rating is fire related. And I think we, I can't tell you what the number is, but I know a few years ago we got a higher, we got a better rating and then I heard it went down slightly and in truth and effect, I don't really know if it affects the actual cost of your homeowners insurance, but I know in the past we've argued that we had a good rating and it should come into play and that's, I'm sorry, I can't give you the numbers. OK, well you, we got a little bit of elucidation here. Maybe. OK. I think we sort of dealt with this. But this person asks, what is your position on having allowing residents to put ADUs on their property? Auxiliary dwelling units. And we'll begin with Ms. Engelhardt, go to Ms. Garcia. I think you're starting with me an awful... Well... I think you're starting with me and awful. Well. Well, I don't know what my position has to do with it. The state law is the state law. We need to do what we can in our city to work with people that want to put them in to make sure they're not oppressive on the neighbors. And they don't cause undue street parking and other problems. In my ideal world, we wouldn't have them, but the state law is the state law. Okay, Mr. Stephard. Yeah, the state law is a state law. Again, as I said before, our city has very unique topography. So even if you have two acres, you may not be able to put another ADU on any kind of rational setbacks from the home. However, the planning commission just a couple of months ago we approved a new building application that had an ADU that was 9,000 square foot house. It didn't seem like they really needed an ADU, but by law we have to allow it to happen when we did. And Ms. Garcia. Unfortunately, of course, we can't change the laws in anything of the ADUs. Personally, I am, of course, a little against it, because I do believe that we should maintain La Haber Heights as rule as much as we can with the one-acre policy. But with going on with this, it would just be to find common ground and to just see that the ADUs don't disturb any other neighbors or don't get into their privacy of course and also don't just destroy the wildlife here in the obrites. Thank you. Okay, thank you. This person asks, what most concerns you about our city? And we will begin with Ms. Garcia, go to Mr. Steffier and end with Ms. Engelhart. Well, most concerns being in La Harbor Heights is that there haven't been much of the equestrian community I guess speaking out about having the trails opened up and cleared up and just I guess the safety for us. I know that we should probably look into having more signs about the horse riders that are riding by and also just for cars to slow down because they are speeding and it's not just with horse riders, it's also with people that are just walking their kids, walking their dog or even people that are on their bikes. And I feel like it's an issue that we should look into seeing if we should put up more signs to slow down cars or to look into other stoplights, but it's just for the safety of the community. Thank you. My greatest concern is co-compliance and bringing all the houses and the city into compliance both for we to be and for general maintenance and repair. My second greatest concern is the width of the roads and the dangers that are caused by up-slow properties during inclement weather. We're gonna see big floods, big mudslides, just like we saw before. I think our council did a great job of addressing those, but we have to be proactive and deal with that. My third concern is just that we have enough capacity to meet those concerns. Thank you, Ms. Engelhart. I kind of listed the issues that I felt when I did my opening statement. I guess all public safety, fire, roads, but the overriding issue is making sure the budget can handle these things and making sure the citizens are protected and their property values are protected and that they're safe and that they don't get wiped out in a in a disaster Okay Now can the city council influence the US Postal Service policy with shared mailboxes. Because mailboxes have been targeted by thieves and we have been victims of identity theft as a result. And for this we will begin with Mr. Steffi or go to Ms. Garcia and and with Miss Engelhart. Boy, that's a unique question. I'm kind of unaware of shared mailboxes except those that are on a street where the mailbox is up by the street descends down into the valley or something, but that's why there are postal inspectors. I doubt very seriously that the President of the United States can influence the postal service. I rather suspect that we can't. We can certainly chat with them but at the end of the day that's why postal inspectors exist and that's why police forces exist to deal with those one-offs. We've been here for 24 years now. We have a mailbox on the street. We've had no problems. Thank you, Ms. Garcia. I don't think the City Council can interfere with the USP. I think everyone has a job like the police people, the police have their job and you know, taking care of all the issues and so it all just depends with the police and also the people. Thank you. Ms. Engelhart. Well, I've lived in the Heights a long time and you kind of have to, I think you kind of have to take care of yourself. I don't think we can influence the U.S. Postal Department. I think you have a duty or what is it a burden of taking care of yourself and putting in a post box that's as impregnable as possible. Thank you. This question and this will be our last question before closing statements. What is the best part of living in La Haber Heights? And we'll start with Ms. Garcia, go to Mr. Stephyer and end with Ms. Engelhart. Okay, I can talk about so many things about the best part of living in La Haber Heights. The mornings I like to walk my dog and just enjoy all the scenic view in La Haber Heights going up like Lifloor Drive and all of West Road. You sometimes might see me with my horse, so it's really amazing that I'm able to just the streets of La Habra Heights and to even go to the park and connect with others that do horseback riding professionally or to even just talk to your neighbor in looking for solutions in case like there's trash around just picking up their trash or just helping them with recycling and such. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Stefan? I think the people are the best part of La Habra Heights. We are the most unique group of people I've ever been around in my life. When we came here 24 years ago, we came here for the rural atmosphere, for the dark skies, and for a good chunk of land that we could live on and enjoy quietly. But it's really been the people. And the people that work in this city that volunteers serve on commissions, the people that pick up trash, this is a unique city, and we're unique people. And so to me, that's the best part of the city. Thank you, Ms. Engelhart. It would be the space, the spaciousness, and all the plants, and the people. As I said, I grew up here and you'd be amazed how many people are still around that I went to school with. It's unbelievable. And we are kind of a hearty little breed here and can tanker us and we've had big disputes in the past. But I think our city's just a special place and I really want to do everything I can to maintain it. Okay, thank you very much. Now we will have our closing statements each candidate has one minute to tell you what they want you to know about them. And as I said, we will do this in reverse order. So we will begin with Carol Engelhart. Well, one minute I think. You have one minute. Yeah. Well, you've been very patient and thank you so much for coming and again thank you to the league and I think I've been on the council now for two years and we've worked hard the five of us and I think we're doing a pretty good job so far. As I say, I think we're in good shape on the budget. We're making progress in the fire department and in the paramedics and we're moving forward. So I think you should vote for me because I really love the town. I like the people and I'll do my very best for you. Thank you. Next we'll hear from Chris DeBell Garcia. Hello, thank you all again for coming as well. And thank you for this opportunity as well. This is my first time ever doing city council. And I think it's just a great opportunity that I'm able to do this and even such a young, very young age here. But for me, you should vote for me because well, I'm really young. I'm very active so I'm able to listen and take the time to hear your guys' concerns and look for solutions. Of course, I didn't have all the answers that I for today and I know more these candidates are more experienced in City Council than I am but of course I do my research and I look for solutions and anything that I might need to know. Thank you. Thank you and finally Mr. Greg Stuffer To seeking the job of the City Council person is not just for glory or anything else. it's to try to do the right stuff for every all of us. I've spent decades in the city, I've worked for the city, I would appreciate your vote because I intend to work very hard if I'm elected. I want to hear from people, I want to do the right things, I want to maintain a real lifestyle, and I truly appreciate the league for running this show and it's been a good opportunity and I appreciate Christopher Bell and Carol for participating in this wonderful little discussion of public square. Thanks. Thank you very much. I have a couple of announcements and things. You have received your vote by mail ballots by now. And in Whittier, we've received our sample ballots, so yours should be well on the way to showing up. There are some things on the ballot that don't get mentioned a whole lot, but a little joint has a school bond on their ballot. Real Honda, some of you live in the Real Honda area, some of you live in the Fullerton area. Real Honda College has a construction and maintenance and safety measure on the ballot. And those are placed there because one of the state ballot measures is a state school facilities bond. So every school district has to provide matching funds in order to get money from the state. And consequently, if the state has a bond up, people are going to put local bonds on the ballot so that they will have money in order to ask for matching funds from the state. And I learned something the other day. The maximum amount that an elementary school district or K through 8 district can ask for in tax per property is $30 per hundred thousand dollars value of your property. A unified district which we don't all live in can ask for 60 because they're K through 12 or pre K through 12. A college district can ask the maximum they can ask for is $25 per 100,000. So most districts ask for the most they can get. So that is a little teeny preview. The state bond requires a majority vote because it's already been voted on and gotten two thirds vote in each house of the legislature. So it only takes majority vote from the public. The school bonds, the local bonds take a 55% Vote approval so it's more than a majority but not two thirds and Everything else on the state ballot takes a majority vote The I'd like to you to notice in the back that we the the League of Women Voters publishes election info. It has information about the county elected officers who are on your ballot, which includes district attorney, and five judicial seats that are in run-offs. So you can learn a little bit about those candidates and use that resource as to help you make up your mind. We also have pro and con profiles of the three county ballot measures. A, which is housing and homeless ordinance. E, which is fire equipment and communications facilities, and G, which is county government reform, which would include an elected county executive officer like a mayor, and an ethics commission and would enlarge the board of supervisors from five to nine. So in addition to that, we have the all ten state ballot measures in here in a pro and con format. So you have a few weeks to get yourself well educated before you cast your ballot. And I would like in conclusion to thank all of you for being here, to thank my colleagues and the League of Women voters for helping put this on in conclusion to thank all of you for being here, to thank my colleagues and the League of Women voters for helping put this on, and especially to thank the candidates for putting forth time and effort and dedication to the city to choose to run for city council to be your representative. So thank you very, very much, and I want to thank the City to for making this facility available. Thank you.