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Laguna Beach City news City of Laguna Beach, California

(Cover Photo by Sylvia Marie Adams)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023

Laguna Beach City Manager’s Home Vandalized; Police Say Act Will Not Be Tolerated

Laguna Beach Police are investigating an act of vandalism that happened overnight or in the early morning hours of February 9, 2023, to the Laguna Beach home of City Manager Shohreh Dupuis.

Officers received a report of the vandalism at 7:27 a.m. at Dupuis’ home located on 3rd Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found feces or sewage smeared around the property including on the house, in the front yard, on mailbox, planters, stairs and walkway adjacent to the home.

The home is a City property, as the City owns half of the home with Dupuis owning the other half, as stipulated in her employment contract.

“This is a shocking personal attack on our City Manager at her residence,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen. “It is criminal conduct that will be investigated immediately and thoroughly. I strongly urge anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact our Police Department. I truly hope that we will find the perpetrator or perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice. As a City, we will not tolerate any acts to intimidate or harm any city employee or appointed or elected official. Our City Manager is a dedicated and hard-working person who only wants the best for our residents and the City. Her job is hard enough without the added stress and anxiety that this type of attack creates. She doesn’t deserve this disrespect, and I fully expect our community to rally around her,” Whalen said.
“The Police Department is actively investigating this vandalism,” said Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert. “We urge anyone with information about the vandalism to come forward to identify the suspect in this cruel act, which is uncharacteristic of our community.”
Anyone with information about the vandalism is urged to call Laguna Beach Police at (949) 497-0701.

This Week's City Council Action:

Moment of Silence Held for Recent Coast Highway Fatalities

On Tuesday, the Laguna Beach City Council held a moment of silence for the recent deaths of Dr. Michael Mammone, an ER doctor at Mission Hospital who was murdered after being hit by a car while riding his bike in Dana Point, and the death of 32-year-old Willen Alvarez, a pedestrian who died after crossing the road outside of a crosswalk on Coast Highway near Ruby's Diner.

City Council Adopts Proclamation Declaring February as Black History Month

On Tuesday, the City Council adopted a proclamation declaring February as Black History Month in Laguna Beach. The City of Laguna Beach recognizes the importance of promoting diversity, inclusion, and understanding and wishes to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans to our community, the state, and the nation.

City Council Appoints Members to Commission, Boards & Committees

On Tuesday, the City Council appointed members to the following Committees and Boards: Design Review Board, Environmental Sustainability Committee, Heritage Committee, Parking, Traffic, & Circulation Committee, Recreation Committee, Housing and Human Services Committee, Audit Review & Investment Advisory Committee, and View Restoration Committee. Thank you to all applicants for your interest in serving the community!

Classification and Compensation Study Does Not Move Forward

On Tuesday, the City Council voted not to move forward with a comprehensive, organization-wide Classification and Compensation Study. The Classification and Compensation Study focused on ensuring that the classification systems are accurate, up-to-date, and equitable, and evaluating the City's compensation policies, plans, and philosophies. The item failed on a 3-2 vote.

The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, February 21.

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.

Mayor Whalen Talks About This Week's Council Meeting in Today's Podcast Update

In this week's podcast, Mayor Whalen discusses this week's City Council action, including the Interviews and Appointments of local residents to various Boards, Committees and Commissions.

He also discusses the recent tragic incidents on Coast Highway, and how we move forward.

Senate Bill Introduced to Improve E-Bike Safety

Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) today announced the introduction of Senate Bill (SB) 381, which would authorize a study on best practices for improving the safety and use of electric bicycles and similar types of vehicles.

Under this measure, the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University would develop a report and submit it to the Legislature, providing evidence-based recommendations for future laws or regulatory changes governing the use of e-bikes, manufacturing data, mandatory safety accessories, and rules of the road.
“I want to commend Senator Min for introducing SB 381. E-bikes are here to stay and their popularity is on the rise. It is critical, however, that thoughtful legislation be enacted to improve e-bike safety,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen. “SB 381 will promote the research and analysis needed to develop future legislation and e-bike safety regulations. E-bike safety for riders and pedestrians is a big concern and I know that Senator Min’s decision to move forward with this bill will be much appreciated by his constituents. I intend to do whatever I can to support Senator Min in his efforts to have SB 381 approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor."
Existing law defines an electric bicycle to mean a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and subjects a person riding an e-bike to provisions of law governing the operation of a bicycle.

New Councilmembers Attended League of California Cities Academy

Last week, Councilmembers Alex Rounaghi and Mark Orgill attended the 2023 New Mayors and Council Members Academy hosted by the League of California Cities.

The 2023 New Mayors and Council Members Academy provided training to newly-elected council members on topics such as diversity, relationships between city council and city management, city planning, effective advocacy, and financial responsibilities.

Synthetic Herbicide Assists with Fuel Modification

The City of Laguna Beach is completing its initial maintenance treatment within the hand crew-maintained fuel modification zones (FMZ). This initial treatment includes deploying synthetic herbicides to remove fast-growing herbaceous weeds and grasses that sprout during the rainy season.

The City of Laguna Beach contracts Laguna Canyon Foundation to provide onsite biological monitoring as well as to oversee a specially trained hand crew team to conduct the work within the City’s FMZs.

"Synthetic herbicide is a critical tool, in wildland settings, in our efforts to restore habitat and eradicate invasive species. Simply speaking, we cannot manage or eliminate these problematic invasive weeds across large acreages without the judicious use of herbicide," says Hallie Jones, Laguna Canyon Foundation Executive Director.

LBPD Welcomes New Police Officer Alan Cintas! 🚨

On Tuesday, the Laguna Beach Police Department held a Swearing-In Ceremony for new Police Officer Alan Cintas. 🚔
Officer Citnas comes to Laguna Beach after serving as a Lateral from the Los Angeles Police Department. He lives in Laguna Niguel with his wife Josie, his 9-month old son Preston, and his two English Bulldogs named Chesty and Boomer.
LBPD is excited to have Officer Cintas join the team!

Welcome to LBPD! 🚔

LBPD Attends Memorial Highway Sign Dedicated to Fallen Officer Nicholas Vella

On Saturday, February 4, the Laguna Beach Police Department joined Senator Janet Nguyen for the unveiling ceremony of the Memorial Highway Sign dedicated to Fallen Police Officer Nicholas Vella.

From Left to Right: Senator Janet Nguyen, Laguna Beach Chief of Police Jeff Calvert, Nicholas Vella's Daughter, Lieutenant Cornelius Ashton, Captain Mike Peters, and Captain David Dereszynski
In 2022, Senator Janet Nguyen introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 162 (ACR 162) to designate a portion of State Highway Route 39 in the City of Huntington Beach as the Officer Nicholas Vella Memorial Highway. ACR 162 was unanimously approved by both the State Assembly and Senate.
Officer Nicholas Vella died in the line of duty at 44 years of age on February 19, 2022 in a helicopter crash in Newport Beach. Officer Vella grew up in Southern California and spent 14 years of his life serving the people of Huntington Beach as a police officer and 4 years with the Laguna Beach Police Department.

K-9 Cooper Visits the Community at Coffee with a Cop! 🐶 ☕️

On Tuesday, Laguna Beach Police Department and K-9 Cooper held their "Coffee with a Cop" event at Blk Dot Coffee! A lot of residents, visitors, and pups stopped by to say hello and grab some coffee. Thanks for stopping by! 🐶 ☕️

Meow is the Time to Adopt A Cat at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter ✨

On Saturday, February 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Catmosphere Laguna cats and kittens will be featured for adoption at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter (20612 Laguna Canyon Road).
On Saturday, February 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Catmosphere Laguna cats and kittens will be featured for adoption at Gelson's Laguna Beach (30922 Pacific Coast Highway)

For any questions, please contact Catmosphere Laguna Foundation at (949) 619-MEOW (6369) or teamfeline@catmospherelaguna.com.

Calling Laguna Beach Artists 🗣️ for New Banner Competition

The Arts Commission is accepting design proposals for its annual 16'x4' banner competition and new 4'x'2' mini-banner competition. The deadline is March 6, 2023.

The banner honorarium will receive $4,000 and the mini-banner honorarium will receive $800. The completed banners are displayed on lampposts throughout the city of Laguna Beach during June, July and August and celebrate the summer season.

Open to residents of Orange County, ages 18 or older. This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

Prospective designs and application materials must be delivered by 5:30 p.m. on March 6, 2023 to the Cultural Arts Department at City Hall (505 Forest Ave) or email jbichler@lagunabeachcity.net.

The Laguna Local service area has been extended north to Ledroit Street and south to Mission Hospital/9th Avenue. Approximately 30 new pickup locations have been added in residential areas in North and South Laguna (see attached map). After service begins, additional pickup locations can easily be established in these areas based on resident requests and ridership demand. Scan the QR Code to download the app, book, and ride!
Bounce classes are coming to Laguna Beach starting Tuesday, February 28. Bounce classes are open to kids ages 6 months to 3 years old and are fun-filled movement classes developed to spark children's passion for exercise and sport. Scan the QR Code or Click HERE to register!

56th Annual Patriots Day Parade is Happening on March 4 🇺🇸

The 56th Annual Patriots Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 4. Street closures in the downtown area will be in effect from 10:00 a.m. until the parade ends close to 1:30 p.m. with additional parking restrictions in place.

The route for the parade starts at Laguna Beach High School on Park Avenue, proceeds down Park Avenue to Glenneyre Street and turns right, proceeds to Forest Avenue and turns right, proceeds up Forest Avenue to City Hall, and disperses down Ocean Avenue.

Entries in this event range from civic and veterans’ organizations to school bands, floats, vintage automobiles, and novelty groups. The parade also honors citizens who have served the community and those who have served the nation in time of war or national emergency.

Have a Great Weekend, Laguna Beach! 🌊