(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.
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
City Council Adopts Proclamation Declaring February as Black History Month
City Council Appoints Members to Commission, Boards & Committees
Classification and Compensation Study Does Not Move Forward
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.
“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."
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.
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.
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.
K-9 Cooper Visits the Community at Coffee with a Cop! 🐶 ☕️
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).
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.
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.