LAGUNA Budget Workshop
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Minutes
CALIFORNI
City of Tuesday, May 24, 2022
.aguna Beach Joint Hybrid Virtual/In-Person City Council Meeting 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
ity Clerk's Office City Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach
WELCOME
Mayor Pro Tem Whalen led the Pledge of Allegiance
ROLL CALL: 3:00 p.m
PRESENT: Councilmember Peter Blake
Councilmember Toni Iseman
Councilmember George Weiss
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen
Mayor Sue Kempf
ABSENT: NONE
BUDGET WORKSHOP
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RESOLUTION ADOPTING A FEE SCHEDULE UPDATE FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. WATER QUALITY, PUBLIC WORKS. AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND
REVIEW OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFFING PROPOSAL
Staff Report: Director of Community Development Marc Wiener gave a presentation discussing the proposed fee schedule for the Community Development, Water Quality, Public Works, Fire, and City Clerk departments.
Questions of Staff: Councilmember Toni Iseman asked about the comparison of building fees with other cities, and she voiced concerns about the cost of staff time spent on projects.
Director of Community Development Marc Wiener responded to Councilmember Iseman stating that the proposed increased fee would support the staff time required for projects.
Laguna Beach City Council BUDGET WORKSHOP Minutes May 24, 2022 Councilmember Toni Iseman asked about the amount of time it took for residents to get through the planning process and a discussion ensued.
Mayor Sue Kempf asked about the increased fee for Real Property Reports (RPR).
Director of Community Development Marc Wiener responded to Mayor Kempf explaining the RPR process and the need for cost recovery; however, he said that if the City Council determined that the fee should remain the same, it would not greatly impact the Community Development budget.
Mayor Sue Kempf asked about building fees and a discussion ensued.
Public Testimony: Ann Christoph questioned the increase in appeal fees, stating that she felt they discouraged public participation. She commented that more examination of staff's time should be taken before amending the planning fees.
Anne Caenn stated she was concerned about the large increase in the fees by the city and she described
Jesse Brossa voiced opposition to the fee hike for the RPRs.
Councilmember Comments: Councilmember George Weiss applauded the staff's efforts to increase customer service; however, he said he was concerned with large increases in fees. He suggested slowly increasing fees overtime. Weiss commented that he supported measuring the time staff was required for projects.
Councilmember Peter Blake stated that he supported the staff recommendations and he explained
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen commented that fees had not been raised since 2004 and staff had presented a fair cost recovery of approximately 50%. He asked about the challenges of measuring staff's time hourly. Director of Community Development Marc Wiener stated that there were challenges with charging staff's time hourly and he described.
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen stated that he would support an increased flat appeal fee and to either leave the RPR the same, or to only amend it slightly.
Councilmember Toni Iseman commented that the planning process should be tracked, and inefficiencies resolved so there would be a reasonable turnaround on approving projects for the residents. She added that it was important to set aside funds so the city could have legal representation when applicants' attorneys were present.
Councilmember George Weiss stated that he did not observe any planning process efficiencies stated in the staff report, and he suggested adopting a time study for the planners in community development.
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Laguna Beach City Council BUDGET WORKSHOP Minutes May 24, 2022 City Manager Shohreh Dupuis responded to Councilmember Weiss' suggestion to track staff's time on an hourly basis and a lengthy discussion ensued.
Mayor Sue Kempf confirmed with Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen that the amount of the appeal flat fee he had suggested earlier in the discussion was $2,000.
Councilmember Toni Iseman requested that an analysis be conducted to determine if the city required budgeting for attorneys to be present when applicants' attorneys were attending planning meetings. She restated the importance of tracking the planning process and uncovering inefficiencies to establish a more reasonable planning process for residents.
Councilmember George Weiss suggested staff research time-tracking software for planning projects and to report the results of available software during the one-year review of the approved changes.
Councilmember Peter Blake stated his reasons for not supporting the implementation of a time-tracking software for planning projects.
A discussion regarding the motion took place.
Moved by Councilmember George Weiss, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(1) Adopted Resolution #22.037 titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE
MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR CITY SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, WATER QUALITY, AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS," maintaining the $400 fee for real property reports and revising the appeal fee to a flat fee of $2,000;
(2) Authorized the new positions in the Community Development Department to be included in the Fiscal Year 22-23 budget; and
(3) Directed staff to research time-tracking software for planning projects and report the results of available software during the one-year review of the approved changes.
FY 2022/2023 BUDGET WORKSHOP
Staff Report: City Manager Shoreh Dupuis introduced a one-year proposed budget and thanked staff in developing the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 proposed budget.
Director of Administrative Services Gavin Curran gave a presentation on the overview of the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 proposed budget.
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Laguna Beach City Council BUDGET WORKSHOP Minutes May 24, 2022 Councilmember Toni Iseman asked about the hourly rate for parking.
Deputy Director of Public Works Michael Litschi responded to Councilmember Iseman stating that the City Council had an approved a five-year parking rate program in 2020. He listed the current parking rates.
Director of Mark McAvoy continued with the presentation, discussing the 10-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
Director of Administrative Services Gavin Curran resumed the presentation, describing the wish list and the next steps, including feedback from the City Council.
Scott Sebastian, South Laguna Civic Association, requested funding the acquisition of the South Laguna Community Garden property, the purchase of land in South Laguna for a park, budget the construction of missing links of sidewalks and public restrooms in South Laguna.
Jane Leary requested the City Council approve the purchase of two lots in South Laguna for public use.
Ann Christoph said she supported moving forward with funding the acquisition of the South Laguna Community Garden property and she explained.
John Thomas commented that the focus of public spending should be on neighborhoods over businesses in Laguna Beach.
Tom Gibbs, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Committee (EDPC), stated that he supported fuel modification and public safety funding.
Rex Theobald said there was an over reliance on electronic emergency notices, and he supported installing additional loudspeakers throughout the city, which were more effective. He explained why he supported the expansion of the outdoor warning system.
Matt Lawson, EDPC, commented that it was vital to budget the expansion of outdoor warning system for public safety purposes.
THERE WAS A 90-MINUTE BREAK WHILE THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ITS CLOSED SESSION MEETING FROM 5:00 P.M. - 6:30 P.M
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Laguna Beach City Council BUDGET WORKSHOP Minutes May 24, 2022 Public Testimony (continued): Truc HaMai, Carly Sciacca, and Anne Caenn said they supported acquisition of the South Laguna Community Garden property.
Questions of Staff: Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen addressed the budget wish list including supporting funding for the enhancement to outdoor warning system, the Aliso Beach Education Program, the Cultural Arts Public Arts Program, and creating an ongoing affordable housing fund. He suggested redirecting a certain amount of short-term lodging revenue to an affordable housing fund.
Councilmember George Weiss responded that he agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Whalen that the city needed to create a permanent funding source for affordable housing.
Councilmember Toni Iseman said she supported utilizing a portion of the short-term lodging funds to go towards a housing fund.
City Manager Shoreh Dupuis stated that there were one-time monies that could be allocated towards affordable housing, and going forward, short-term lodging fees could be dedicated to the housing fund.
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen requested staff allocate an initial $250,000 from the final budget, and to phase in future TOT revenues generated from short-term lodging units to go towards the proposed housing fund.
Councilmember Peter Blake stated he did not support short-term lodging revenue going towards an affordable housing fund.
Mayor Sue Kempf commented that the short-term lodging could be a good revenue stream; however, she said she would look to direction from the proposed housing administrator who would present ideas to the City Council. She added that amending the municipal code and relaxing building restrictions would be the best avenue to encourage affordable housing, and she explained.
Councilmember Toni Iseman responded that state regulations already relaxed building restrictions for affordable housing.
Kempf asked the Fire Chief about proposed spending for fire safety in Laguna Beach.
Fire Chief Mike Garcia explained that staff were actively working on adding additional heli-pods to assist with wildfires in Laguna Beach and he described Councilmember Peter Blake asked about how staff were looking to implement further protection of residents from wildfires. Fire Chief Mike Garcia responded by describing the proposed nine locations for expanding the outdoor warning system. He added that staff would report back with costs to the City Council by mid-year. -5-
Laguna Beach City Council BUDGET WORKSHOP Minutes May 24, 2022 Councilmember Comments: Councilmember George Weiss said he supported repledging the $500,000 to the South Laguna Community Garden and purchasing the two lots in South Laguna.
Councilmember Peter Blake voiced concerns about repledging $500,000 for the South Laguna Community Garden at this time and he did not support the purchase of the two lots in South Laguna, and he explained.
City Manager Shoreh Dupuis confirmed what wish list items the City Council had approved.
Councilmember George Weiss confirmed with the City Manager that charging patrons for the trolley service would not generate additional proceeds because of the costs associated.
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen stated that he was proud that the proposed budget greatly benefited the residents of Laguna Beach.
Moved by Councilmember George Weiss, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen, and carried unanimously 5/0 to include the "wish list" items in the budget, create a Housing Fund and allocate $250,000 to that fund in the final budget, along with future TOT revenues that are to be generated from new permitted short-term lodging units above the current 127 units; and support the City contributing $500,000 toward the purchase of the lot currently used as the South Laguna Community Garden if the remainder of the asking purchase price is raised by the South Laguna Community Garden Park organization.
ADJOURNMENT
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There being no further business, Mayor Kempf at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 24, 2022, adjourned to the Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Regular Hybrid Virtual/In-Person City Council Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach California.
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Steal
Approved June 7, 2021
Sue Kempf, Mayor'
Tarie McKay, City Clerk
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