STAFF REPORT
8 Meeting Date:
August 12, 2025
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON COMMUNITY SURVEY TO ASSESS RESIDENT SATISFACTION
WITH CITY SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR POTENTIAL REVENUE
ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Direct staff to proceed with administering a community survey; and
2. Find that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15306 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Appropriation: Fund:
Submitted By: Gavin Curran Approved:
Gavin Curran, Assistant City
Manager
Dave Kiff, City Manager
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
This report provides an update on the City’s upcoming community survey, which is scheduled to launch in September 2025. Conducted by Probolsky Research, the survey will assess resident satisfaction with City services, identify service priorities, and gauge community receptivity to potential revenue enhancement measures. The results will support the work of the Revenue Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee, composed of Mayor Pro Tem Orgill and Councilmember Bob Whalen. The committee is exploring funding options for General Fund-supported services such as wildfire mitigation, visitor stewardship, Laguna Canyon Road improvements, and other City infrastructure and programs.
At the June 24, 2025 City Council meeting, staff informed the Council of the planned survey effort in preparation for a possible ballot measure in November 2026. The survey instrument is being finalized in coordination with Probolsky Research and will be reviewed by the Revenue Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee prior to its release to ensure alignment with City Council priorities and community input.
There is no new fiscal impact associated with this item. The survey supports the City Council’s goals related to fiscal sustainability and community engagement. The activity is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15306 as a basic data collection effort.
DISCUSSION
The proposed action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15306, Class 6 (Information Collection), which includes basic data
UPDATE ON COMMUNITY SURVEY TO ASSESS RESIDENT SATISFACTION WITH CITY
SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR POTENTIAL REVENUE ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES August 12, 2025
collection and research activities that do not result in serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource.
To help shape the survey content and ensure alignment with community priorities, the City is hosting two town hall meetings to gather public feedback:
Date Location Format
July 17, 2025 Susi Q Community Center In-Person
August 13, 2025 Online (Zoom) Virtual
Probolsky Research will administer the survey using a multi-modal approach, including phone, email, and online outreach, to ensure statistically valid results from a representative sample of Laguna Beach residents.
The final survey instrument will be reviewed by the Revenue Enhancement Ad Hoc Committee and City staff before its release in September 2025. Survey results will be compiled, analyzed, and presented to the City Council at a future public meeting.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
There is no new fiscal impact associated with this informational update
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15306, Class 6 (Information Collection), which includes basic data collection and research activities that do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource.
ATTACHMENTS
None
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Gavin Curran, Assistant City Manager, City
Manager's Office