Garden Grove Votes to Rejoin State’s League of Cities

GARDEN GROVE —  The City Council has decided to rejoin the League of California Cities because of the bankruptcy that recently hit Orange County.

“We need to get involved, be at the table, so to speak,” said Councilman Mark Leyes on Tuesday, moments before the council voted 3 to 2 to rejoin the league after dropping out last year.

Garden Grove was one of only two California cities that were not members of the league. But with the county’s bankruptcy filing Dec. 6, the city cannot afford to be left out, Leyes said.

He said that county government is likely to be restructured as a result of the bankruptcy and new taxes are likely to be imposed to help solve the financial mess. The league’s Orange County division is expected to play a significant role in these decisions, he said.

Councilman Ho Chung, who made the proposal to rejoin the league, and Tony Ingegneri voted with Leyes. Mayor Bruce A. Broadwater and Robert F. Dinsen opposed the move. They repeated arguments made in June when the city left the league that the organization is “a social club” the city can’t afford.

The membership will cost the city about $27,500 a year, according to City Manager George Tindall. Of that amount, $16,000 will be paid as membership dues to the Orange County division, he said.

Leyes and Broadwater led the move to drop the league because of the high membership dues and the cost for attending meetings.

The league provides lobbying services, legal assistance and training for municipal officials and employees.