City Buys Day Labor Parcel from Caltrans

After enduring another round of withering criticism by antiillegal immigration opponents, the City Council on Tuesday voted 5-0 to pay Caltrans $18,000 for land alongside Laguna Canyon Road that for years has served as a day labor hiring center.

Councilmember Elizabeth Pearson characterized the price as a good land deal for the 16,800 square foot parcel.

Council members were asked Tuesday to approve appropriating the funds from the city's open space fund and to allow the city manager to complete the purchase. There was nothing in the bill denoting the usage of the land, or changing its use to something besides a roadside hiring center for day labor.

Pearson said, "We are just approving the purchase, not the use."

During public comments, Alice Jolise criticized the freewheeling spending by city officials. As her public testimony time ran out, Jolice slapped at the council for an earlier vote they took to pay themselves back expenses at local fundraising events. "I would like to know why it is that taxpayers pay for you to attend functions," Jolise asked.

Several people suggested converting the Caltrans parcel into a park.

Eileen Garcia, a Laguna Beach resident and vocal opponent of the day labor site, who discovered Caltrans owned the property, urged council members to vote against the measure. She accused the city manager of defending the rights of undocumented workers. Garcia also contended Frank's recommendation to buy the land was an apparent conflictof interest since his wife is a board member of the Cross Cultural Coalition, which staffs the hiring center.

Opponent Barbara Cove took an even harsher tone on the dangers she says are posed by the laborers. "You are creating a sanctuary for federal criminals."

Others opponents made equally incendiary claims about the day labor center, site of numerous traffic-slowing rallies for immigration opponents but not known as a hotbed of police activity.

Local constitutional lawyer Gene Gratz defended the day labor center, saying he is unaware of any attacks near the site.

The council ultimately steered comments back to the business of buying. Councilmember Toni Iseman noted the land could never be used as a filling station or hot dog stand or other nonpermitted uses.

The city council voted 5-0 to purchase the property, though no date for taking title was set. The city will take possession as soon as the deed is recorded.