Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap February 25, 2025 -1-
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
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CONSENT CALENDAR
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PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS (continued)
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WELCOME
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Kempf
ROLL CALL
Present: Jones, Kempf, Whalen, Orgill, Rounaghi
Participating Remotely: None
Absent: None
INTERVIEWS AND APPOINTMENTS 3:00 P.M.
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1. INTERVIEWS AND APPOINTMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
COMMITTEE
The following applicants were interviewed for a position on the Environmental Sustainability Committee: Yashaar Amin, Alexandra Farah, Bianca Garthe, Kalani Gee, Leah Jacobson, Emma Kuffel, Meg Sandquist, and Richard Swensson. Douglas Allsop provided a written statement in lieu of an interview. Tiffany Khoury and Caleb Westholder withdrew their applications prior to the meeting.
The City Council appointed Yashaar Amin, Alexandra Farah, Emma Kuffel, and Meg Sandquist to the Environmental Sustainability Committee for two-year terms beginning April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2027, and Kalani Gee to the Environmental Sustainability Committee for one-year terms beginning April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.
Roll Call:
Douglas Allsop: None
Yashaar Amin: Jones, Whalen, Orgill, Rounaghi
Alexandra Farah: Jones, Kempf, Whalen, Orgill, Rounaghi Bianca Garthe: Kempf
Kalani Gee: Jones, Kempf, Whalen
Leah Jacobson: Rounaghi
Emma Kuffel: Jones, Kempf, Whalen, Orgill, Rounaghi
Meg Sandquist: Kempf, Whalen, Orgill, Rounaghi
Richard Swensson: Orgill
THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED FROM THE INTERVIEWS AND APPOINTMENTS AT 3:21 P.M. TO THE STUDY SESSION.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
RECAP
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Interviews & Appointments/Study Session 3:00 p.m.
City Council Closed Session 4:00 p.m.
Regular City Council Meeting 5:00 p.m.
CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap February 25, 2025 -2-
STUDY SESSION
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1. REVIEW OF EXISTING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECTS The City Council provided feedback to staff, including increasing funding for the solar microgrid project, continuing active efforts on a wastewater master plan, and identifying efficiency improvements.
THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED FROM THE STUDY SESSION
AT 3:57 P.M. TO THE CLOSED SESSION
THERE WAS A 60-MINUTE BREAK WHILE THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ITS CLOSED SESSION MEETING FROM 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
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City Attorney Megan Garibaldi reported that all five Councilmembers were present and participated in the discussions, and there was no public comment prior to the City Council convening into the Closed Session. Garibaldi advised that the City Council discussed Closed Session Agenda Item #1, and 2(a) and (b), and there was no reportable action.
ADDITIONS and DELETIONS
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The City Council agreed with City Manager Dave Kiff’s suggestion to remove Agenda Item #7 from the agenda, to instead be discussed as part of the Facilities Master Plan.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
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Ed Almanza, Laguna Ocean Foundation, thanked the City, Visit Laguna Beach, and SWA Group for their partnership with Laguna Ocean Foundation, including hosting 19 Cal Poly Pomona students, to advance coastal stewardship efforts.
Greg Viviani commented on the City’s preparation for the upcoming summer season, and suggested trash receptacles with lids to keep the birds from scattering trash all over the beaches.
Scott Sebastian, South Laguna Civic Association, requested another public meeting on the South Laguna fire station to review changes to the plans from feedback provided during the first community meeting.
MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER ****************************************************************************** City Manager Dave Kiff advised that the proposed design for Fire Station #4 is scheduled to be reviewed at the March 19 Planning Commission meeting.
Councilmember Sue Kempf reported that she and Councilmember Bob Whalen are working with the new Emergency Operations Coordinator, Sarah Limones, on the Fire Mitigation Plan.
Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap February 25, 2025 -3-
Councilmember Bob Whalen reported that the Fire Mitigation Plan ad hoc committee is also working with Public Works to create a more streamlined process for undergrounding utilities.
Councilmember Mark Orgill summarized the various communications he had with members of the public.
Mayor Alex Rounaghi reported on the recent Irvine Bowl Policy Committee, which consists of two City Councilmembers and two Festival of Arts Board members. He advised that there was a tie vote on the item regarding sound allowances; therefore, the issue will go to the City Council for a decision. Mayor Alex Rounaghi also reported on this year’s Laguna Beach Community Clinic Benefactors’ Brunch.
City Clerk Ann Marie McKay noted that today is Election Day for the Special Primary Election for the 36th State Senate District; ballots must be cast by 8:00 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
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Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 5/0 to approve items 1-4, and 11.
1. MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Approved the minutes of the City Council Annual Strategic Planning Session of January 31, 2025, the City Council/Planning Commission Joint Promenade Study Session of February 4, 2025, and the Regular Meeting of the City Council of February 11, 2025.
2. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS Warrant #16: $2,059,174.05 01/31/2025
Payroll # 16: $1,888,116.33 02/07/2025
Total: $3,947,290.38
Approved the general warrants and payroll disbursements.
3. MONTHLY INVESTMENT REPORT (DECEMBER 2024)
Received and filed the December 2024 monthly investment report, with submissions from the City Treasurer and the City’s longer-term investment manager, Meeder Investments.
4. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
(1) Rejected Claim #25-04 filed by Michelle Shannon; and (2) Rejected Claim #25-03 filed by Gaspare Licata.
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5. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18.28 OF THE LAGUNA
BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REQUIRING USE OF QUIET PICKLEBALL PADDLES OR
SIMILAR EQUIPMENT AT LANG PARK
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Bob Whalen, at the request of a member of the public.
Moved by Mayor Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Councilmember Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(1) Introduce and conduct a first reading, proceed by title only, and waive further reading and introduce by title only an Ordinance titled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADDING SECTION 18.28.070 TO CHAPTER 18.28 (USE OF PARKS) OF TITLE 18 (BEACH AND PARKS) OF THE
LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO REQUIRE USE OF USA PICKLEBALL
QUIET CATEGORY PICKLEBALL PADDLES OR SIMILARLY AUTHORIZED NOISE
REDUCING EQUIPMENT AT LANG PARK AND FINDING THE ACTION IS NOT A
PROJECT REQUIRING FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT”;
(2) Direct staff to return with the Ordinance for a second reading at the March 11, 2025, Regular City Council meeting; and
(3) Find that this Ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq.) because it does not qualify as a “project” under CEQA, or in the alternative, finding the Ordinance exempt from CEQA under State CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3).
6. PLANNING DIVISION UDPATE AND WORKLOAD SUMMARY THROUGH FEBRUARY 12, 2025
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Sue Kempf.
Received and filed the Planning Division Workload Summary, which covers the period from September 2024 through February 10, 2025.
7. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF A POTENTIAL THIRD
LEVEL OF THE GLENNEYRE PARKING STRUCTURE
This item was removed from the agenda.
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8. PREVIEW OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 5.84 TO THE LAGUNA
BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING CREATION OF A LICENSING SCHEME FOR
SHORT-TERM LODGING UNITS TO AID WITH MANAGEMENT AND ENFORCEMENT
EFFORTS FOR UNAUTHORIZED SHORT-TERM LODGING UNITS
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Bob Whalen.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(1) Incorporate City Council feedback, including recommending a progressive penalty fee structure, in the draft Ordinance titled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 5.84 TO TITLE 5 OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING LICENSING OF
SHORT-TERM LODGING UNITS AND FINDING THE ORDINANCE IS NOT A PROJECT SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT”; (2) Direct staff to contact the online short-term rental facilitators (such as Airbnb, VRBO, and all other online short-term lodging facilitators) to advise them of the proposed obligations in the draft Ordinance; and
(3) Direct staff to return with the Ordinance, revised to reflect any City Council-directed feedback, for first reading at a regular City Council meeting in April 2025.
9. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND
RELATED ECONOMIC INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN
THE CITY
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Bob Whalen.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mark Orgill, and carried 4/1 (Mayor Rounaghi opposed) to adopt Resolution #25.008 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING
THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND RELATED ECONOMIC INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY,” as revised as noted by Councilmember Bob Whalen.
10. REVIEW OF PROPOSED SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR RETAIL CONSULTANT TO
SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Bob Whalen.
Moved by Mayor Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Councilmember Bob Whalen, and carried unanimously 5/0 to review and approve the proposed Scope of Services for a Retail Consultant to support economic development in the community, as revised by the City Council to include clarifying that the program is under the purview of the City, in consultation with the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, revise the introduction to state “Laguna Beach commercial areas” instead of “key Laguna Beach neighborhoods,” clarify what is meant by “the City’s economic development goals,” and include a performance-based payment approach.
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11. TRANSFER OF AN APPROPRIATION FOR ADDITIONAL DUE DILIGENCE COSTS RELATED TO THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2307 & 2535 LAGUNA CANYON ROAD (APNS: 632-101-10 AND 632-091-12
(1) Approved a transfer of funds from the Capital Improvement Fund – Future Facilities Project; and;
(2) Appropriated $25,000 in the General Fund for an air quality assessment.
REGULAR BUSINESS
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12. APPOINTMENT OF TWO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO AD HOC COMMITTEE TO REVIEW FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE GRANT APPLICATIONS Moved by Mayor Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mark Orgill, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(1) Appoint Councilmembers Jones and Kempf to form an ad hoc committee responsible for reviewing the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Community Assistance Grant applications; and (2) Direct the ad hoc committee to report back to the City Council with grant award recommendations at the June 24, 2025, City Council meeting.
13. CITY CONTRIBUTION FOR PROPOSED UNDERGROUND UTILITY ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 2021-1 (WEST STREET)
Mayor Alex Rounaghi recused himself due to potential financial impacts to his immediate family members.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 4/0 to provide direction to the City Manager on the amount of 20% contribution for the City to contribute towards the Undergrounding Utility Assessment District 2021-1, and for the option for City purchase of bonds, to reduce costs to those within the District.
14. ADOPTION OF THE LAGUNA BEACH CLIMATE ACTION AND ADAPTATION PLAN
AND DETERMINING THAT SUCH ADOPTION BE EXEMPT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
Item #14 was heard after Item #15.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(1) Adopt the Laguna Beach Climate Action and Adaptation Plan; (2) Determine that such approval is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 and 15308; and (3) Encourage collaboration among government entities.
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15. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FURTHER ANALYSIS OF PETITION 2023-24MPA TO EXTEND THE NO-TAKE LAGUNA BEACH STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREA’S SOUTHERN BOUNDARY TO THE CITY’S SOUTHERN COASTAL BOUNDARY OFF
THREE ARCH BAY
Item #15 was heard before Item #14.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to adopt Resolution #25.007 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING FURTHER ANALYSIS OF PETITION 2023-24MPA TO EXTEND THE NO-TAKE LAGUNA BEACH STATE MARINE CONSERVATION AREA’S SOUTHERN BOUNDARY TO THE CITY’S SOUTHERN COASTAL BOUNDARY OFF THREE ARCH BAY,” as amended to include adding to the end of Section 1 “including ongoing discussions with representatives from the City of Laguna Beach” and add to the last whereas “that engages all relevant stakeholders.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
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16. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 25 (ZONING) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE AND LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AS MODIFIED BY THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION;
AND DETERMINING THAT NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21166
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mark Orgill, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(1) Waive full reading and introduce by title only, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CERTAIN PORTIONS OF TITLE 25 OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND THE CITY’S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM, AS MODIFIED BY THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION; AND DETERMINING THAT NO FURTHER
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21166”;
(2) Direct staff to draft a resolution of the City Council acknowledging receipt of the Coastal Commission's resolution of certification, including any terms or modifications which have been suggested for final certification; accepting and agreeing to such terms and modifications, evidencing formal action taken to satisfy the terms and modifications (e.g. implementation of ordinances); and agreeing to issue coastal development permits for the total area included in the certified local coastal program, as amended; and (3) Direct staff to schedule City Council consideration of adoption of the above-mentioned ordinance and resolution at the March 11, 2025, City Council meeting.
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17. CONTINUANCE OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING CODE AND LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM BY REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 25.17 OF THE
LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO COMPLY WITH RECENT CHANGES
IN STATE LAW
Moved by Mayor Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Councilmember Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to open the public hearing and continue Zoning Ordinance Amendment 24- 2343 and Local Coastal Program Amendment 24-2344 to the March 11, 2025, City Council meeting.
18. CONTINUANCE OF AN URGENCY ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING CODE
AND LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM BY REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER
25.17 OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO COMPLY WITH
RECENT CHANGES IN STATE LAW
Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Mayor Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to open the public hearing and continue the amendment to Interim Land Use Ordinance No. 1707 to the March 11, 2025, City Council meeting.
COUNCILMEMBER ITEM(S) – None.
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ADJOURNMENT AT 10:07 P.M., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025,
TO THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
AT 2:30 P.M., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28,2025,
THEN TO THE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AT 3:00 P.M.
AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 5:00 P.M.,
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025