LAGUNA NIGUEL : Council Focuses on Campaign Donations

The City Council this week supported in principle the examination of city campaign regulations with an eye toward capping special interest donations.

The council agreed to ask a group of citizens to study and recommend limits on campaign donations, which could lead to a new ordinance. That same panel of residents is already examining the ethical issues involved in city officials’ receiving gifts.

Identifying a cap on donations will keep special interest groups from having too great an impact upon local government, Councilwoman Patricia C. Bates said.

The city, which has held two council elections since its 1989 incorporation, has no contribution limits. In those races, Bates said, some council candidates raised $15,000 to $17,000. Individual donations averaged $50 to $100.

“When you discuss reform, it sends up a red flag in people’s minds,” Bates said. “They assume it means there are excesses or some sort of funny business going on. In this case, it’s more a case that we had an opportunity to make these changes.”

Campaign finance disclosure and public access to information on sources and amounts of contributions seem likely topics for a committee examining candidates’ practices, City Atty. Terry Dixon said.

The committee examining the gift issue and possibly the contribution cap is composed of former Councilman Larry Porter, former Parks and Recreation Commissioner Elaine Gennawey and longtime community activist Rice Brown.

If the committee agrees to take the extra assignment, the council will formerly vote on the move at its next meeting on July 6, Dixon said.