McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: PMMC LEASE
From: soni melgar
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2026 3:15 PM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: PMMC LEASE
Public Comment for the City of Laguna Beach City Council Study Session #2 Re: PMMC Request to Permanently Retain the Use of Their Field Hospital at the North End of the Laguna Beach Dog Park
Date: January 12, 2026
Good Day. I have a concern I'd like to raise on the above item for discussion.
It is my understanding that the recurring flooding the Dogpark experiences is the result of shared water lines with the PMMC.
If this is indeed the cause, it raises questions regarding permanent use of the temporary facility and the increased treatment load anticipated.
The flooding lasts from a day or two to weeks with puddles of standing water creating a nuisance and possible public health issue, as well as raising questions about possible contamination passed thru the shared water lines.
If the lines are indeed shared what are the remedies planned to correct it? Thank You for your time and consideration.
Soni Melgar
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Upcoming study session
From: kathy jones
Sent: Friday, January 9, 2026 7:49 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Upcoming study session
Good evening.
I am writing to express my opposition to the suggestion that the Pacific Marine Mammal Center permanently occupy its current temporary facility.
PMMC has said from the beginning that the facility is a temporary solution. They have said on numerous occasions that that the property would be returned to the city at the end of the construction project.
With the completion of PMMC's new and quite beautiful center there is an opportunity to decide what the highest and best use of the temporary location might be.
I am writing to request that the council reject the request from PMMC to permanently occupy that space.
In my opinion the next step should be an assessment of how that property might best serve the city.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a volunteer and board member of the Laguna food pantry. We serve close to 300 families every day. Many are people who live, work or go to school here in Laguna. Converting that property to support the pantry would be a great service to this community.
Thank you,
Kathy Jones
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Public Comment for Study Session #2 PMMC 01/13/26 Attachments: Current N.End View of Park.jpg; N.End of Park Restortion.PNG From: David Finch
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2026 11:13 AM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Cc: Wendy Pierce <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment for Study Session #2 PMMC 01/13/26 Public Comment for the City of Laguna Beach City Council Study Session #2 Re: PMMC Request to Permanently Retain the Use of Their Field Hospital at the North End of the Laguna Beach Dog Park
Date: January 11, 2026
Honorable Mayor Mark Orgill and Members of the City Council, My name is David Finch.
I am the President of Friends of Laguna Beach Dog Park, a 501(c)(3) charity formed in 2005 to serve as the collective voice for the many dog lovers and their dogs who enjoy our beautiful park.
Our ongoing mission is to maintain the integrity of the park and remain dedicated to its preservation and enhancement for generations to come.
For the reasons discussed below, our organization strongly opposes the PMMC's request to make the temporary field hospital a permanent fixture.
In March 2023, the former Laguna Beach City Manager, Shoreh Dupuis, contacted our organization regarding the Pacific Marine Mammal Center's (PMMC) request for a temporary permit to operate a field hospital at the north end of the Dog Park. Since that time, Friends of Laguna Beach Dog Park has been fully supportive of the PMMC's temporary facility.
We met with city staff, encouraged our members to support the effort, and helped explain that this was a short-term solution to assist PMMC's vital work helping sick and injured marine mammals.
We acted in good faith, trusting that "temporary" meant exactly that. Unfortunately, we now feel that trust has been misplaced.
After reviewing PMMC's recent request to make this field hospital permanent, our organization must respectfully but firmly withdraw its support of the PMMC field hospital. We strongly oppose any extension or continuation of use beyond the expiration of the current temporary use permit. The scale and permanence of the $1.5 million facility, with extensive infrastructure including concrete foundations, plumbing, wastewater systems, and fencing appear inconsistent with the representations made about a temporary installation. 1 While we deeply respect the PMMC's mission and recognize the importance of their work, converting a portion of our city's only large Dog Park into a permanent private use represents a fundamental and inappropriate change in land use. The Dog Park is a public space intended for the enjoyment of residents and their dogs, not private operations. We urge the Council to review the original grant deed and related agreements involving Verizon, Caltrans, and the City of Laguna Beach, which we believe clearly limit the site's use to a public Dog Park purpose.
We have attached two photographs for reference:
1. The first photo shows the current view of the north end of the Dog Park and the fence separating it from the PMMC facility.
2. The second is a rendering of the proposed restored park area, showing the trees and vegetation that once framed this beautiful space, including a memorial tree donated by one of our members.
Our group stands ready to collaborate with the City to ensure that, upon expiration of the temporary use permit, the PMMC site is restored to its original condition. Friends of Laguna Beach Dog Park is also prepared to donate resources, including new picnic tables, shade umbrellas, a drinking fountain, and potentially a website camera, all to enhance and beautify the restored north end of the park for all users.
Please know that we will continue to advocate passionately for the preservation of the entire Laguna Beach Dog Park, ensuring that it remains a dedicated and protected space for the community and their dogs, now and for future generations.
Thank you for considering our input. We appreciate the council's time..
Respectfully submitted,
David Finch
President, Friends of Laguna Beach Dog Park
Laguna Beach, California
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