AGENDA
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025
REGULAR MEETING - 5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, CA
Agenda (printable PDF)
LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURE: Pursuant to the Levine Act (Govt Code Section 84308), any party to a permit, license, contract, or other entitlement before the City Council is required to disclose on the record any campaign contribution, including aggregated contributions, of more than $250 through December 31, 2024, and $500 commencing on January 1, 2025, made by the party or the party’s agents within the preceding 12 months to any City official. Participants and agents are requested to make this disclosure as well. The disclosure should be made when the agenda item is called and must include the name of the party, participant, or agent, and any other person making the contribution, the name of the recipient, the amount of the contribution, and the date the contribution was made. Council Members are also required to make such disclosures and recuse themselves.
Public Participation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.3, members of the public may directly address the City Council on any item of interest to the public that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. You may submit comments in person on any agenda item or any item not on the agenda. You may also submit written comments on any agenda item or on any item not on the agenda via mail to the City Clerk at 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA. 92651 or by email to [email protected]. In order to allow sufficient time for members of the City Council and staff to review and consider your written comments, written comments will be accepted for consideration up until the close of business on the business day before the date on which this public meeting is scheduled. Written comments WILL NOT be read aloud during the City Council Meeting. Please note that written comments are posted on the City’s website, so do not include any personal information you do not want posted online. Any comments received after the deadline for submittal may not become part of the public record for that meeting. For comments submitted on a topic not on the agenda, please indicate that you would like your comments included in the official record for this meeting.
Courtesy Virtual Broadcast: Please take notice that the City also plans to broadcast the meeting via the below listed mediums. These virtual broadcast mediums are also provided as a courtesy only and are not guaranteed to be technically feasible or uninterrupted. Thus, in order to guarantee live-time viewing, members of the public are encouraged to attend in person.
1. Online on the City of Laguna website: www.lagunabeachcity.net/meetings
2. Cox cable channel 852
3. Online on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQsj8cEM7IvTH6p4uf3NUzQ ALEX ROUNAGHI, Mayor
MARK ORGILL, Mayor Pro Tem
HALLIE JONES, Councilmember
SUE KEMPF, Councilmember
BOB WHALEN, Councilmember
DAVE KIFF, City Manager
MEGAN GARIBALDI, City Attorney
LAURA PARISI, City Treasurer
ANN MARIE McKAY, City Clerk
***CLOSED SESSION - 4:00 P.M.***
A.
ROLL CALL – 4:00 p.m.
B.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS:
Public Comment can be provided at 4:00 p.m. on any item on the Closed Session agenda, in Council Chambers at 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, then the City Council will convene in Conference Room A for the Closed Session
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Initiation of Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) Number of cases: One (1)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(2) There is significant exposure to litigation based on existing facts and circumstances which are known to the potential plaintiffs, as follows: A sewer main back-up at a home located at 1266 Morningside, Laguna Beach, California, that occurred on November 27, 2024.
3. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 2307 and 2535 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
Agency Negotiator: Dave Kiff, City Manager
Negotiating Party: George R. Burkhardt Trusts A, B, and C
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OF PENDING LITIGATION:
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1)
Number of cases: Eighteen (18):
(1) Steinmetz v. City of Laguna Beach, USDC Case No. 8:21-cv-02112 JVS DFM; (2) Kenney v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2023-01332035-CU-PO-NJC; (3) State Farm (Upchurch) v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2024-01404488-CL-IC-CJC; (4) Fadel v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2023-01323881-CU-PA-CJC; (5) Chaney v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2023-01305382-CU-PO-CJC; (6) Johnson v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2024-01383346-CU-PA-WJC; (7) Donath v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2024-01405334-CU-PO-CJC; (8) Dobro v. City of Laguna Beach, et al., Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2024-01420058-CU-PO-CJC (9) Flores et al. v. City of Laguna Beach, United States District Court, Central District, Case No. 8:24-cv-01898- (10) Jacobsen v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2023-01304492-CU-PO-CJC (11) Puma v. Fuimaono, et al., Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2023-01337480-CU-PA-CJC; (12) Romans v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2021-01203417-CU-PO-CJC; (13) Spotts v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2023-01333768-CU-PO-CJC; (14) Thomas v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2023-01356232-CU-PO-NJC; (15) Valencia v. CalTrans, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30- 2023-01322930-CU-PO-CJC; (16) Varela v. Pacific Diversified, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2022-01275120-CU-PO-CJC; (17) Williams v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2022-01245965-CU-PN-NJC; (18) Woodworth v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 30-2021-01207898-CU-PO-CJC C.
RECESS FROM CLOSED SESSION, RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
*** REGULAR MEETING - 5:00 p.m.***
A.
ROLL CALL – 5:00 P.M.
B.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Councilmember Whalen
C.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT(S).
A Closed Session report shall be provided, as required pursuant to California Government Code Section 54950 et seq.
D.
PRESENTATIONS.
The City Council shall from time to time recognize individuals and organizations and present awards or Certificates of Appreciation, or receive special presentations, as previously scheduled and described below.
1. 2025 WATER QUALITY & WASTEWATER AWARENESS POSTER ART CONTEST
2. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE LAGUNA BEACH HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM Recommendation: Adopt the Proclamation recognizing the Laguna Beach High School Girls Volleyball Team for their championship season.
Proclamation
3. PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
Approve the Proclamation recognizing the week of May 18-24, 2025, as National Public Works Week in the City of Laguna Beach.
Proclamation
4. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAGUNA BEACH COUNTY WATER DISTRICT Recommendation: Approve the Proclamation recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Laguna Beach County Water District.
Proclamation
5. LBHS FLOW WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS VIDEOS
E.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE COUNCIL AGENDA.
As may be deemed necessary by the City Manager, agenda items may from time to time be deleted from the agenda; in such event, the City Manager shall endeavor to provide as much advance notice to the community as reasonably possible about the removal of such items. Agenda items may only be added in accordance with Government Code Section 54950 et seq.
F.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS.
The City Council shall consider Public Comments, of up to three minutes each as determined by the Mayor and for a total of 45 minutes, from the audience concerning items not appearing on the agenda but that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. Public comments beyond 45 minutes shall be reconvened at the conclusion of public hearings. In accordance with the provisions of the Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.), no action or discussion may take place by the Council on any item not on the posted agenda. Speaker cards may be used by the City Clerk's Office for the orderly conduct of the meeting; those not completing speaker cards may speak after those who completed speaker cards. Pursuant to California Government Code section 54953(b)(3), any member of the public wishing to address the legislative body directly pursuant to California Government Code section 54954.3 may do so at each teleconference location at the time the item is considered.
G.
MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER.
This is a time for brief updates to the public from the City Council and the City Manager on various City matters.
H.
CONSENT CALENDAR. All matters listed under Consent Calendar are considered by the City Manager to be routine and will be enacted by one roll call vote. There will be no discussion of these items unless a Councilmember, the City staff, or a member of the public requests removal of an item (please identify the item by its number) from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion, and that person shall be identified and noted in the minutes for the item. Once any additions or removals are made, the City Council will vote to approve all items remaining on the Consent Calendar. Any item that was removed will be considered following the action on the Consent Calendar; each speaker shall have up to three minutes, and may be shortened or extended, or a cumulative limit on the time for all public speakers may be imposed, at the discretion of the presiding officer (the Mayor).
6. MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Recommendation: It is recommended by the City Clerk that the City Council approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of April 22, 2025.
Draft Minutes
7. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS
Warrant #24: $2,638,373.52 04/11/2025
Warrant #25: $2,500,000.00 04/14/2025
CalPERS #19: $ 388,705.74 04/15/2025
$5,527,079.26
Payroll #21: $1,998,270.92 04/18/2025
Total: $7,525,350.18
Recommendation: Approve the general warrants and payroll disbursements.
Agenda Report
8. MONTHLY INVESTMENT REPORT (MARCH2025)
Recommendation: Receive and file the March 2025 monthly investment report, with submissions from the City Treasurer, Laura Parisi, and the City's longer-term investment manager, Meeder Investments.
Agenda Report
9. ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT INVENTORY REPORT (AB 481)
Recommendations:
(1) Review and renew Ordinance No. 1674, an ordinance of the City of Laguna Beach adopting a Military Use Equipment Policy in accordance with applicable law; (2) Receive and file the report; and
(3) Authorize the Police Department to conduct a public meeting in the City Council Chambers on June 4, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.
Agenda Report
10. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR GOAT GRAZING SERVICES
Recommendations:
(1) Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Indacochea Sheep Ranch, Inc., in the amount of $220,116, for fire prevention goat grazing services; and (2) Authorize the City Manager to approve change orders up to 10% of the contract amount, if necessary.
Agenda Report
Scope of Services
11. AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR ANITA STREET SEWER LIFT STATION AND BEACH ACCESS STAIRS RECONSTRUCTION Recommendations:
(1) Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with GMZ Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $5,311,250, for construction of the Anita Street Sewer Lift Station and Beach Access Stairs Reconstruction project; (2) Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Dudek, in the amount of $764,150 to provide construction management and inspection services; (3) Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Dudek, in the amount of $142,940, to provide archaeological and paleontological support services; and (4) Authorize the City Manager to approve project-related expenses and contract change orders for unforeseen circumstances in an amount not to exceed $638,985.
Agenda Report
12. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT REGARDING ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding with the Laguna Beach Unified School District to operate an Adult Education Program for the period June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2028.
Agenda Report
Public Comment
13. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE FORMATION OF THE LAGUNA BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE FORMATION OF THE LAGUNA BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST." Agenda Report
Public Comment
14. APPROVE THE ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR ANY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE 2022 COASTAL FIRE Recommendations:
(1) Pursuant to Health and Safety Code sections 13009 and 13009.6, approve the Assignment Agreement with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Coastal Fire; and (2) Authorize the Fire Chief or other appropriate City representative to execute.
Agenda Report
I.
REGULAR BUSINESS.
This section is for a wide variety of matters generally worthy of separate discussion such as the consideration of ordinances for introduction, resolutions, extraordinary policy and business matters, staff reports and recommendations. The presiding officer will take public comment on each Regular Business item. Each speaker shall have up to three minutes for each agendized Regular Business item, as may be shortened or extended, or a cumulative limit on the time for all public speakers may be imposed, at the discretion of the Presiding Officer. Pursuant to California Government Code section 54953(b)(3), any member of the public wishing to address the legislative body directly pursuant to California Government Code section 54954.3 may do so at each teleconference location at the time the item is considered.
15. WILDFIRE MITIGATION AND FIRE SAFETY REPORT 2025 UPDATE Recommendations:
(1) Approve in concept the Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Report 2025 Update, with additional direction to staff to further refine the cost components, including likely funding sources; and (2) Find that the approval of the Report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(2) in that the approval of the Report itself will not result in a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment, and CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Agenda Report
Public Comment
Public Comment
16. SAFER STREETS LAGUNA BEACH - CITYWIDE SAFETY ACTION PLAN ADOPTION Recommendations:
(1) Adopt the Safer Streets Laguna Beach - Citywide Safety Action Plan; (2) Direct staff to incorporate the plan’s findings and recommendations into future capital improvement planning, mobility policy updates, and grant applications (3) Authorize staff to submit applications for future SS4A Implementation Grants and other competitive funding programs aligned with the Plan; and (4) Find that this action is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15262 - Feasibility and Planning Studies.
Agenda Report
J.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
This section is for matters (other than appeals) that are structured as Public Hearings. Public hearings are different from regular business items in that there is a specific time period where a formal hearing is opened by the presiding officer, public comment is accepted from any member of the public, and the hearing is closed by the presiding officer. Generally, each public speaker has one opportunity to speak. The City Council conducts all Public Hearings in accordance with the provisions of applicable Laguna Beach procedure and State law. The presiding officer shall have discretion to establish the time allocated for public comment.
17. ESTABLISH VIRGINIA WAY UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT 2025-1 Recommendations:
(1) Approve the attached Engineer’s Report for the proposed Virginia Way Underground Utility District 2025-1; (2) Adopt the Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING VIRGINIA WAY UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 2025-1 PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION RULE 20A AND CHAPTER 21.24 OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND FINDING THE SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT," establishing the proposed underground utility district to underground the existing overhead utilities within the district by August 2027; and (3) Authorize the use of $854,507 Rule 20A credits from current San Diego Gas & Electric allocation balance.
Agenda Report
Public Comments
18. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE ANNUAL SIDEWALK AND INTERSECTION VISIBILITY NUISANCE ABATEMENT PROGRAM Recommendations:
(1) Conduct a public hearing to hear protests regarding any noticed nuisance as established by Resolution No. 25.009; (2) Allow or overrule any protests based on facts or circumstances presented by protestors; (3) Direct the Director of Public Works & Utilities to abate all noticed nuisances established by Resolution No. 25.009, for Properties 1-50, if not removed by June 6, 2025; and (4) Find the abatement of public nuisances exempt from California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15304.
Agenda Report
19. PUBLIC HEARING FOR ANNUAL WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM
Recommendations:
(1) Conduct a public hearing to hear protests regarding any noticed nuisance as established by Resolution No. 25.010; (2) Allow or overrule any protests based on facts or circumstances presented by the protestor (Mayor Rounaghi, Council Members Orgill, Whalen, Kempf, and Jones to abstain if the protest concerns properties listed in the subsequent recommendations); (3) Direct the Fire Chief to abate all noticed nuisances established by Resolution No. 25.010, for properties # 1-185, 187-241, 243-324, 327-355, and 359 -368 on Exhibit A if not removed by May 6, 2025; (4) Direct the Fire Chief to abate all noticed nuisances established by Resolution No. 25.010 on Exhibit A for property # 186 (APN 644-044-20) not removed by May 6, 2025 (Councilmember Orgill to abstain); (5) Direct the Fire Chief to abate all noticed nuisances established by Resolution No. 25.010 on Exhibit A for property # 242 (APN 644-254-12) not removed by May 6, 2025 (Councilmember Jones to abstain); (6) Direct the Fire Chief to abate all noticed nuisances established by Resolution No. 25.010 on Exhibit A for properties # 325 and 326 (APN 656-053-17 and 656-053-27) not removed by May 6, 2025 (Councilmember Kempf to abstain); (7) Direct the Fire Chief to abate all noticed nuisances established by Resolution No. 25.0010 on Exhibit A for property #356, 357, and 358 (APN 658-091-01,658-091-05, and 658-091-06) not removed by May 6, 2025 (Mayor Rounaghi to abstain); and (8) Identify the abatement of public nuisances exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15304 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Agenda Report
20. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 25-0320 AND FINDING THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15060(C)(2), 15061(B)(3), AND 15162 Recommendations:
(1) Adopt the Resolution titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 25-0320 AMENDING THE SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN, AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER SECTIONS 15060(C)(2), 15061(B)(3), AND 15162 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES"; and (2) Find that the proposed action is exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act under sections 15060(C)(2), 15061(B)(3), and 15162 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
Agenda Report
21. RECEIVE PUBLIC INPUT ON THE PROPOSED LAGUNA BEACH TOURISM MARKETING DISTRICT MANAGEMENT PLAN Recommendation: Receive public input on the proposed renewal of the Laguna Beach Tourism Marketing District.
Agenda Report
Amended Draft Tourism Marketing District Management Plan Public Comments
Public Comments
K.
COUNCILMEMBER ITEM(S).
The City Council shall consider matters submitted by members of the City Council in accordance with Resolution No. 24.011, as it may be amended.
L.
ADJOURNMENT. The Laguna Beach City Council will adjourn to the:
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING AT 3:45 P.M., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025
THEN TO THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL BUDGET WORKSHOP
AT 4:00 P.M., TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025
THEN TO THE CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION AT 4:00 P.M.
AND REGULAR MEETING AT 5:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025
LAGUNA BEACH CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
505 FOREST AVENUE, LAGUNA BEACH, CA
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with a disability who require a disability-related modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, may request such modification or accommodation from the City Clerk at (949) 497-0705 (telephone) or (949) 497-0771 (facsimile). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting.
COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.5
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packets are available for public inspection in the City Clerk's Office at 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California, during normal business hours.
Testimony given before the City Council is recorded.
The timer light at the podium will turn yellow and beep once when the speaker has 30 seconds remaining. The timer light will turn red and buzz when the speaker's time has expired.
PLEASE TURN CELL PHONES OFF OR SET IN SILENT MODE.
Laguna Beach Regular City Council Meeting Agenda March 11, 2025
-5-
Testimony given before the City Council is recorded.
The timer light at the podium will turn yellow and beep once when the speaker has 30 seconds remaining.
The timer light will turn red and buzz when the speaker's time has expired.
PLEASE TURN CELL PHONES OFF OR SET IN SILENT MODE.
19. PUBLIC HEARING FOR ANNUAL WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM
Recommendations: