Sales Tax Holiday Proposed for City's 10th Anniversary

The City Council during its Jan. 19 meeting approved the activities that were proposed for the city’s 10th-anniversary celebration on July 1 but agreed to keep the discussion open to more ideas. Councilman Greg Ficke proposed a day free from sales tax in Aliso Viejo.

“A sales tax holiday on our actual anniversary date—this would be an opportunity to pay back the residents for their support,” Ficke said.

This idea, along with others proposed by members of the council, is still under consideration.

Activities approved for the celebration include:

• Soliciting a community-wide logo or theme for the celebration.
• The activation of an online memory book.
• Street pole banners throughout the city.
• A luau-style “Tommy Bahama” event July 1 at the Conference Center.
• A family-friendly "birthday" celebration at the Aquatic Center, with hot dogs, build your own banana split, music and more.
• A short film on the history of Aliso Viejo that will highlight the growth of the city and have interviews of residents and city officials.

The estimated cost of the approved activities totals $15,780, according to Community Services Director Karen Crocker. While many activities were approved, the council and city officials will continue to brainstorm and bring more to the celebration.

“We should keep an open mind about this and let it evolve,” said Mayor Carmen Cave.

Prior to the anniversary activities vote, sheriff's Lt. Bob Osborne presented the 2010 Deputy of the Year award to Deputy Eric Brown. With the growing number of apartments and condos in Aliso Viejo, Brown saw the need for a record of the exact location of every apartment/condo number in the city. This has helped the Sheriff’s Department’s improve its response time during emergencies.

The AYSO Region 889 was also recognized for its achievements and its victory in the fall 2010 regional championships.

Watch for more articles about the Jan. 19 City Council meeting, including:

• The approved transfer from Herren Enterprises Inc. (Doctor’s Ambulance Service) to American Medical Response.
• The approved increase in contingency compensation by 7.5% for the Iglesia Park Community Center Renovations.
• More activities approved for the anniversary celebration.