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CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
JANUARY 13, 2026
COUNCIL CHAMBERS – 505 FOREST AVENUE, LAGUNA BEACH, CA 92651 REGULAR MEETING 5:00 P.M.
MARK ORGILL, Mayor
HALLIE JONES, Mayor Pro Tem
SUE KEMPF, Councilmember
BOB WHALEN, Councilmember
ALEX ROUNAGHI, Councilmember
DAVE KIFF, City Manager
MEGAN GARIBALDI, City Attorney
LAURA PARISI, City Treasurer
ANN MARIE McKAY, City Clerk
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: 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 (i.e., 5:30 p.m.) 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 on the web. 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, 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 (i.e., 5:30 p.m.) 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 on the web. 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 livetime 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 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
********************************************************** A. ROLL CALL 5:00 p.m.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Orgill
C. ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS. 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.
D. PUBLIC COMMENTS NONAGENDIZED 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. 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.
E. 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.
[Open Public Hearing for Agenda Item #12] Agenda Item #12 regarding balloting for proposed underground utility Assessment District 20213 (FAIRVIEW/LA BREA) will be addressed at this time to (1) Receive and file the proposed Undergrounding Utility Assessment District 20213 report; (2) Open the 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.
E. 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.
[Open Public Hearing for Agenda Item #12] Agenda Item #12 regarding balloting for proposed underground utility Assessment District 20213 (FAIRVIEW/LA BREA) will be addressed at this time to (1) Receive and file the proposed Undergrounding Utility Assessment District 20213 report; (2) Open the public hearing for public comments; (3) Call for submittal of any final ballots, and close the public hearing; (4) Direct staff to proceed with tallying ballots in City Hall, Conference Room A, and invite the public to observe the tallying process.
F. 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).
1. MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Recommendations:
1. Approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting for the City Council of December 9, 2025, and Special Meeting of December 18, 2025.
2. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS Recommendations: 1. Approve the general warrants and payroll distributions.
3. MONTHLY TREASURER’S AND INVESTMENT REPORT (NOVEMBER 2025) Recommendations: 1. Receive and file the November 2025 report.
4. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
Recommendations:
1. Reject Claim #2535 filed by Michael Petramala;
2. Reject Claim #2545 filed by Khawala Abuelhija; and
3. Reject Claim #2553 filed by Alfredo Yanez.
5. RENEWAL OF THE SENIOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM
Recommendations:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Laguna Beach Seniors to continue providing the Senior Home Repair Program for the community;
2. Appropriate $125,000 from the Housing Fund and authorize the City Manager to provide a onetime lumpsum payment for the appropriated amount to fund the professional services agreement; and
3. Find the recommended action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15378(b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines.
Recommendations:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Laguna Beach Seniors to continue providing the Senior Home Repair Program for the community;
2. Appropriate $125,000 from the Housing Fund and authorize the City Manager to provide a onetime lumpsum payment for the appropriated amount to fund the professional services agreement; and
3. Find the recommended action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15378(b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines.
6. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR DESIGN SERVICES FOR CITYWIDE UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING STUDY
Recommendations:
1. Authorize the City Manager to award a contract, in a form approved by the City Attorney, to Asplundh Engineering Services, LLC, in the amount of $53,800, for conceptual design services for a Citywide Utility Undergrounding Study;
2. Approve an appropriation of $53,800 from the Wildfire Mitigation & Fire Safety Fund; and
3. Find that the actions consist of government activities, which do not result in a direct or indirect physical change in environment and therefore does not constitute a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act.
7. AMENDMENT TO AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT RELATED TO RIGHT OF WAY NEAR 31131 MONTEREY STREET; AND FINDING ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(b) (3)
Recommendations:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute an Amendment to an Easement Agreement related to the right of way near 31131 Monterey Street; and
2. Find the recommended action is not a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) based on the reasons in the staff report.
8. RESOLUTION OPPOSING NEW OFFSHORE OIL LEASING FACILITIES OR DRILLING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Recommendations:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING THE INCLUSION OF NEW OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA IN THE 20242029 NATIONAL OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM”, stating the City’s formal position against the Draft Proposed Program for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program; and
2. Find that these actions do not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act. (Public Resources Code Section 21065; 14 CCR Section 15378(b) (5).)
9. ARTIST LIVEWORK UNITS; AMENDMENT TO THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR 2307 AND 2535 LAGUNA CANYON ROAD
Proposed Program for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program; and
2. Find that these actions do not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act. (Public Resources Code Section 21065; 14 CCR Section 15378(b) (5).)
9. ARTIST LIVEWORK UNITS; AMENDMENT TO THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR 2307 AND 2535 LAGUNA CANYON ROAD
Recommendations:
1. Approve the Third Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreements for 2307 and 2535 Laguna Canyon Road; and
2. Find that the recommended action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15378, because the actions will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
G. 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.
10. LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE LEASE AMENDMENT / FUNDING ASSISTANCE Recommendations:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a First Amendment to the 2003 Laguna Playhouse lease with the City of Laguna Beach, that would memorialize more community use time at the Playhouse, along with a rate structure;
2. Appropriate $500,000 in Fiscal Year 2025–26, to be disbursed in two installments, for onetime operational support to the Laguna Playhouse to support expanded community access and performance opportunities, by appropriating $250,000 from the Cultural and Environmental Stewardship Special Revenue Fund and $250,000 from funds set aside for the cultural arts facilities reserve; and
3. Find that these actions do not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act. (Public Resources Code Section 21065; 14 CCR Section 15378(b) (5).)
11. AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE FOREST PROMENADE PERMANENT
CONVERSION
Recommendations:
1. Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Superb Engineering, in the amount of $5,549,964.85, for construction of the Forest Promenade Permanent Conversion project;
2. Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Nexgen Design Builders Inc, in the amount of $340,950, to provide construction management and inspection services and approve projectrelated expenses and change orders for additional construction management andinspectionservicesthatmayberequiredinanamountnottoexceed$34000anddirect Recommendations:
1. Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Superb Engineering, in the amount of $5,549,964.85, for construction of the Forest Promenade Permanent Conversion project;
2. Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Nexgen Design Builders Inc, in the amount of $340,950, to provide construction management and inspection services and approve projectrelated expenses and change orders for additional construction management and inspection services that may be required in an amount nottoexceed $34,000, and direct the City Manager to execute the required documents as approved by the City Attorney;
3. Authorize the City Manager to approve projectrelated expenses and contract change orders for unforeseen circumstances in an amount not to exceed $1,100,000;
4. Approve the transfer of $4,409,629 in existing appropriations from other Capital Improvement Projects that are inactive or not proceeding into construction during the current fiscal year, to fully fund the Forest Promenade Permanent Conversion Project; and
5. Find the proposed action statutorily exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 922/Public Resources Code Section 21080.25(b)(1), as the action implements the previously approved Promenade on Forest project, which the City Council found to be statutorily exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.25(b), as amended by Senate Bill 922 (SB 922), on March 25, 2025.
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS NON APPEALS. 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.
12. PUBLIC HEARING AND BALLOTING FOR PROPOSED UNDERGROUND UTILITY ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 20213 (FAIRVIEW/LA BREA)
[This item will begin immediately prior to the Consent Calendar to (1) Receive and file the proposed Undergrounding Utility Assessment District 20213 report; (2) Open the public hearing for public comments; (3) Call for submittal of any final ballots, and close the public hearing; (4) Direct staff to proceed with tallying ballots in City Hall, Conference Room A, and invite the public to observe the tallying process; and then will continue during the Regular Meeting with the remaining actions after the tallying is complete.] Recommendations:
1. Receive and file the proposed Undergrounding Utility Assessment District 20213 report;
2. Open the public hearing for public comments;
3. Call for submittal of any final ballots, and close the public hearing;
4. Direct staff to proceed with tallying ballots in City Hall, Conference Room A, and invite the public to observe the tallying process;
5. Postpone the item until the ballot tally is complete and then resume the meeting on the item, asking staff to report the ballot results;
6. Review the balloting results, and if the majority of weighted ballots are in favor of the proposed assessment district; then:
aAdopttheattachedResolutiontitled“ARESOLUTIONOFTHECITYCOUNCIL
3. Call for submittal of any final ballots, and close the public hearing;
4. Direct staff to proceed with tallying ballots in City Hall, Conference Room A, and invite the public to observe the tallying process;
5. Postpone the item until the ballot tally is complete and then resume the meeting on the item, asking staff to report the ballot results;
6. Review the balloting results, and if the majority of weighted ballots are in favor of the proposed assessment district; then:
a. Adopt the attached Resolution titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE
RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT BALLOTING PROCEEDING,
CONFIRMING ASSESSMENTS IN UNDERGROUND UTILITY ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 20213, ORDERING THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE, TOGETHER WITH APPURTENANCES, APPROVING THE
ENGINEER’S REPORT, AND DESIGNATING THE FINANCE DIRECTOR OR THE CITY TREASURER TO COLLECT AND RECEIVE MONEY”;
b. Adopt the attached Resolution titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AWARDING THE
CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS IN
UNDERGROUND UTILITY ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 20213 SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF BOND PROCEEDS AND FINDING THE SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT”, awarding a construction contract to Hot Line Construction in the amount not to exceed $2,807,414;
c. Appropriate $474,580 for the General Benefit cost from the Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Fund prior to bonds being sold;
d. Appropriate $474,580 as a separate City Contribution from the Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Fund prior to bonds being sold; and
e. Authorize the City Manager to approve project related expenses and construction change orders for unforeseen circumstances for an amount nottoexceed $280,742.
OR
7. If there is not a majority of weighted ballots in favor of the proposed assessment district, then declare the proposed Underground Utility Assessment District 20213 (Fairview/La Brea) abandoned for lack of majority support.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR APPEALS. This section is specifically for appeals of determinations of the Planning Commission, the Design Review Board, or other Boards or Commissions. Public Hearings (Appeals) are different from other public hearings in two ways: (1) In some cases, the City Council can only consider whether a lower body abused its discretion in granting or denying a project application. In other cases, the Council can conduct the hearing “de novo,” meaning that it can consider old and new information and make a determination unbound by the lower body’s decision.
The item’s staff report will clearly state which review standard applies to each appeal item; and (2) public comment generally occurs this way: Staff presents a report about the appeal, Council members ask questions about the report. Then the presiding officer opens the public hearing, inviting the person who filed the appeal (the appellant) to speak first, followed by persons supporting the appellant’s position. Then the presiding officer invites persons disagreeing with appeal to speak. When all speakers have spoken, the presiding officer invites the appellant up a second time to address any comment and to conclude their argument. Following that, the presiding officer closes the public hearing, and the Council deliberates further and ultimately votes on a motion. The City Council conducts all Public Hearings in accordance with the provisions of applicable Laguna Beach procedure andStatelawTheMayorshallhavediscretiontoestablishthetimeallocatedforpersonswhowishto public comment generally occurs this way: Staff presents a report about the appeal, Council members ask questions about the report. Then the presiding officer opens the public hearing, inviting the person who filed the appeal (the appellant) to speak first, followed by persons supporting the appellant’s position. Then the presiding officer invites persons disagreeing with appeal to speak. When all speakers have spoken, the presiding officer invites the appellant up a second time to address any comment and to conclude their argument. Following that, the presiding officer closes the public hearing, and the Council deliberates further and ultimately votes on a motion. The City Council conducts all Public Hearings in accordance with the provisions of applicable Laguna Beach procedure and State law. The Mayor shall have discretion to establish the time allocated for persons who wish to speak, often allowing more time for the appellant and/or the applicant.
A. APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 240658 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 240657 FOR A NEW SINGLEFAMILY DWELLING, ATTACHED TWOCAR GARAGE, ELEVATED DECKS, GRADING, AND LANDSCAPING, AND DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING SINGLEFAMILY DWELLING AT 31526 VALIDO ROAD IN THE R1, RESIDENTIAL LOWDENSITY ZONE, AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (CLASS 3)
Recommendations:
1. Open the public hearing, take public testimony, and continue the public hearing to February 24, 2026, City Council Meeting; and
2. Find that the action to continue the public hearing is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
J. COUNCIL MEMBER 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.
K. ADJOURNMENT. The Laguna Beach City Council will adjourn to its next regular or other meeting, tentatively set for:
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
LAGUNA BEACH CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
505 FOREST AVENUE, LAGUNA BEACH, CA
CLOSED SESSION AT 4:00 P.M. AND
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 5:00 PM.
ADA ACCOMMODATIONS
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Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with a disability who require a disabilityrelated 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) 4970705 (telephone) or (949) 4970771 (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
********************************************************* 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) 4970705 (telephone) or (949) 4970771 (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.
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