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Laguna Beach City news City of Laguna Beach, California

(Cover Photo by Jennifer Watkins Bielasiak)

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023

This Week's City Council Action:

City Council Proclaims April 2023 as National Arab American Heritage Month

On Tuesday, the City Council adopted a proclamation declaring April 2023 as National Arab American Heritage Month. The City of Laguna Beach honors the achievements and contributions of Arab Americans to our community, state, and nation.

City Employees Recognized for Milestone Years of Service

On Tuesday, the City Council recognized 14 City Staff who have reached a milestone year of service and employment with the City of Laguna Beach during the first quarter of the calendar year. Congratulations to all employees recognized! ✨ 🪴

City Council Approves Funding to Help Residents With Trash Rate Increases for One Year

On Tuesday, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a third amendment with Waste Management extending the agreement with the waste hauler to June 30, 2024, and directed the City Manager to include necessary funding from the Solid Waste Landfill Importation Fund to help offset rate increases for residential rate payers by 50% for one year. The City Council set a public hearing for the May 16 City Council meeting for the proposed rate increases. Notices will be mailed to residential property owners next week.

2022 Crime Statistics Show Decrease in Violent and Property Crime in City

On Tuesday, the Laguna Beach Police Department provided the City Council with an update on the 2022 Crime Statistics. Notably, there was a 2% decrease in Part 1 Violent and Property Crime in the City when compared to 2021. LBPD's average Priority 1 and Priority 2 response times (Priority 1 are 9-1-1 calls received by dispatch when someones life is danger; Priority 2 calls can either be through 9-1-1 or the general line when there is a threat to someone or an immediate risk of property loss or damage) are 4.18 seconds and 5.56 seconds, respectively, which are faster than the nation's average (5 seconds for Priority 1 and 20 seconds for Priority 2); LBPD has made a total of 1,165 arrests with the top 3 being DUI/alcohol, drugs, and disorderly conduct; the top 3 crash factors were speeding, unsafe lane changes, and alcohol; lastly, the top 3 parking violations were missing or expired registration tabs, street sweeping, and expired parking lot permit.

City Council Approves Interim Use Program, License Agreement Policy, and Usage Fees for New Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center

On Tuesday, the City Council approved the Facility Reservation Program and the License Agreement Policy and associated fee schedule. The Facility Reservation Program will allow residents, local nonprofits, LBUSD, individual teams, and sports clubs to reserve available space at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center on an hourly basis. The License Program will allow organizations interested in short-term non-recreational use, such as meetings or training programs, to utilize the remaining available classroom space.

Transit Update Shows More People Using Public Transit as Council Approves 2023 Summer Parking Management Plan

On Tuesday, the City Council received a transit services update and approved the 2023 Summer Parking Management Plan. In 2022, the Smart Parking Program resulted in 150,000 mobile parking transactions, a 47% increase from 2021, the Laguna Local On-Demand service saw 35,000 riders with a 90% satisfaction rating and an average wait time of just 8.7 minutes, and trolley boardings totaled 626,500, a 54% increase from 2021. Lastly, the City Council made the "Passport to the Arts" one-time parking pass for the Act V parking lot discounted to $5 on weekdays and $10 on weekends during Summer 2023.

Blufftop Major Remodel Ordinance Item Rescheduled for April 4

On Tuesday, the Blufftop Major Remodel Ordinance item was removed from the Agenda and will be brought back for a first reading at the April 4 City Council Meeting. The newly established Bluff Overlay District would enact new oceanfront development standards that are responsive to the constraints of the City's unique coastal landforms and clarifies the methodology for calculating remodels. These provisions would allow ocean-front property owners with reasonable property improvements and reduce the potential for substantial issue findings for appealed projects. City Staff will come back to the City Council with an in-depth presentation on this item at the April 4 City Council meeting.

City Council Denies Appeal for 705 Marlin Drive

On Tuesday, the City Council voted to deny the appeal and modify the Design Review Board’s approval at 705 Marlin Drive, with direction that the applicant return to the Council at a future Council meeting, providing details on the 6-foot-high solid, non-reflective privacy wall to be erected on the south-facing side of the proposed deck off the master bedroom, a sample of the 90% Visible Transmittance film to be applied to all windows, and revised plans showing the windows sills on the south-facing wall of the second-floor master bedroom raised back up to the original height and the garage remaining in its original footprint.

The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, April 4.

The "Tentative Agenda" is strictly tentative and there is no guarantee that items listed will be agendized as scheduled due to changing priorities, new information, staff workloads, and other unforeseeable events.

April 4 Tentative Agenda

Click HERE for the April 4 Tentative Agenda

Mayor Whalen Discusses This Week's City Council Meeting in Today's Podcast

This week, Mayor Whalen talks about all of the items discussed during this week's City Council meeting, including why the bluff top remodel item was delayed to be discussed at a future City Council meeting.

He also talks about recent discussions with Caltrans on pedestrian safety along Coast Highway, and some of Caltran's ideas to improve safety and slow down drivers.

Click HERE to Listen to Today's Podcast on ANY Device!
Click HERE to Listen to Today's Podcast on Spotify!
The Promenade on Forest Public Workshop that was going to be held tonight (this Thursday, March 23) has been postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience. A new meeting date will be provided as soon as possible.

The City's goat herd just finished up munching behind Nyes Place and are currently in Ceanothus Drive. 🌾 The herd is 150 goats strong and the herd is not accessible to the general public at this location.

As a reminder, please do not try to pet or come in contact with the goats.

Apply Now for Community Assistance Grants!

The City of Laguna Beach makes Community Assistance Grants available to non-profit organizations that provide special services to residents of Laguna Beach. In 2022, $255,340 in Community Assistance Grants was awarded!

The Community Assistance Grant Application period is open until Friday, March 31, 2023.

The objective of this program is to assist local organizations in funding new projects or expanded services within the community. Grant awards are decided by the City Council.
Click HERE to Apply for Community Assistance Grants!

Caltrans to Address Pedestrian Safety at Future City Council Meeting

At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Mayor Whalen reported that he and City staff have recently met with Caltrans to discuss their ideas to improve pedestrian safety on Coast Highway. Proposed improvements from Caltrans include infrastructure enhancements, better communications with the City, and a potential intersection video warning system pilot program. Caltrans is developing a list of recommendations to be presented at a future City Council Meeting.

Fire Department Promotes from Within and Hires New Fire Marshal!🔥 🚒

On Monday, March 20, the Laguna Beach Fire Department held a swearing-in ceremony for 6 promotions in the Fire Department and the hiring of a new Fire Marshal!
Pictured from left to right: Deputy Fire Chief Crissy Teichmann, Battalion Chief Eric Lether, new Fire Marshal Robert Montaghami, Captain Scott Hammond, and Engineer Brandon Hawkins.
Pictured from left to right: Division Chief Api Weinert, Fire Chief Niko King, Deputy Fire Chief Crissy Teichmann, Battalion Chief Eric Lether, Councilmember Mark Orgill, new Fire Marshal Robert Montaghami, Captain Scott Hammond, Engineer Brandon Hawkins, and Battalion Chief Andrew Hill.

Congratulations to All!

Hugh is Looking for a New Home! 🐶

Hugh is a 2 1/2 years old neutered male corgi/terrier mix. Hugh is loving, confident, friendly, and gets along with people and other dogs.

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter adoption procedures are designed to make sure that both the potential family and the animal adopted are in the very best situation possible. The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. For any questions, please call (949) 497-3552.
Click HERE for More Information on Adoption Procedures!
On Sunday, March 26 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., Laguna Beach High School students will be raising money for the Annual "Walking for Water" fundraiser. Walking for Water, a project of Wisdom Spring Inc. is run by Laguna Beach High School students and raises money to dig wells that can bring water to indigenous villages in West Africa, India, and other parts of the world suffering from the global water crisis.

View the Art That's Small at City Hall Exhibition Now on Display!

The 21st annual Art That’s Small at City Hall exhibition is currently on display in the first-floor hallway gallery at City Hall and features 53 original works of art by local Orange County artists. City employees will be voting for their favorite piece and winners of the competition will be announced and recognize at the exhibition's awards ceremony on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

Art That's Small in City Hall Featured Artists:

Heather Reichard – Colorful Houses, Mixed media – While living in Maryland, Heather began incorporating recycled wood, salvaged nails, found metal and vintage goodies into her art. As an escape from personal struggles, she makes “happy art” that’s whimsical and colorful with the sole purpose of bringing a smile to someone’s face. Reichard finds inspiration in the places and things she loves, like nature and travel. The imagery of rustic farms, tiny cottages and colorful cities is mixed with joyful memories to create a charming, handcrafted assemblage.
Phillip Womack – Acacia St., Acrylic and pastel on paper – Phillip is an alumnus of Laguna College of Art + Design with a classical figurative drawing and painting background. Since graduating in 2006, he has remained local and his work continues to exploration the dialogue of painting and visual mark making. His work is “a product of imitation, meditation, and experience.” While abstracted, the created images are distinctively regional as his organic design and palette reflect the southern California coast and canyons.

Upstream Kicks Off This Week's Live Music at the Promenade 🎶

  • Friday at 5:30 PM: Upstream
  • Saturday at 5:30 PM: Andrew Corradini
  • Sunday at 5:00 PM: Adam Lasher

Enjoy Your First Weekend of Spring! 🌼

Have a Question? Click HERE to Contact the City of Laguna Beach!
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