Laguna Beach City Council Minutes January 13, 2026
MINUTES
LAGUNA BEACH CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
January 13, 2026
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Beach was called to order at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in the City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California, Mayor Orgill presiding.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Kempf, Rounaghi, Whalen, Jones, Orgill PARTICIPATING REMOTELY: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Mayor Mark Orgill led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADDITIONS and DELETIONS
*****************
City Manager Dave Kiff advised that he would be recommending that agenda item #10 is continued.
The continuance of Appeal A was heard at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
***********************************************
Lisa Vanderbeek, Arch Beach United, commented on Monday's Recreation Committee discussion regarding the proposed pump track.
Gary Jenkins, Laguna Playhouse, announced the upcoming run of the Eisenhauer production.
Brittany Ganson, Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, invited everyone to attend the upcoming Chamber Board installation.
Ann Christoph advised that she and others were not noticed regarding a request to remove a private tree in the public right-of-way at 775 Cliff Drive due to differing "interested party" lists within the Larry Zeman commented on public trees that block views, noting a conflict between verbiage in the Downtown Specific Plan and practices by the City Arborist. Richard Plavetich expressed safety concerns regarding large public trees in small tree wells.
Kathleen Monroe expressed concerns related to the stairs at the Laguna Playhouse, and related expired permits.
-1-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes January 13, 2026
MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER ****************************************************************************** City Manager Dave Kiff advised that the tree mentioned by Ann Christoph was removed, but the noticing issue is being addressed. He also stated that he will ensure staff reviews the Playhouse's expired permits. Kiff also advised that the City has requested that the owners of the historic Villa Rockledge renew the trespass letter so the City can enforce it; however, the owner has not yet done so. Regarding the proposed pump track, Kiff clarified the Recreation Committee's recommendation, which will be presented to the City Council at a future date, to focus on the Moulton Meadows site.
Kiff also announced that the City Council's annual Strategic Planning Session will be held on Friday, January 30, at 8:30 a.m. in Council Chambers.
Regarding the status of the public tree ordinance, City Manager Dave Kiff confirmed for Mayor Mark Orgill that he can have the City Arborist review the language in the Downtown Specific Plan.
City Attorney Megan Garibaldi advised that the City is close to completing a receivership process for Villa Rockledge, in the event that the owner does not renew the trespass letter.
Councilmember Sue Kempf provided the City Council copies of the Arts Commission year-in- review presentation.
City Attorney Megan Garibaldi confirmed for Councilmember Bob Whalen that the beach side of Villa Rockledge has been secured, and the City can look into securing the street side.
Mayor Mark Orgill reported on various meetings with members of the public. [Agenda Item #12 regarding balloting for proposed underground utility Assessment District 2021-3 (Fairview/La Brea) was addressed prior to the Consent Calendar to (1) Receive and file the proposed Undergrounding Utility Assessment District 2021-3 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.]
CONSENT CALENDAR
**********************
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to approve items 1 - 6 and 8.
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting for the City Council of December 9, 2025, and Special Meeting of December 18, 2025.
-2-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes January 13, 2026
APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS
Payroll-Related Payments
11/14/25 Payroll Checks and Wires FY 2026 #10 $ 1,918,797.49 11/17/25 Payroll Checks and Wires MISC 25111 $ 1,606.81 11/28/25 Payroll Checks and Wires FY 2026 #11 $ 1,870,470.45 12/12/25 Payroll Checks and Wires FY 2026#12 $ 2,196,014.86 Total Payroll-Related Payments_$ 5,986,889.61
Payments to Vendors:
11/08/25-12/19/25 Wire Payments to Vendors 4-6 $ 1,179,362.84 11/08/25-12/19/25 Check Payments to Vendors 23009582-23010340 $12,239,099.45 Total Payments to Vendors $13,418,462.29
TOTAL PAYMENTS $19,405,351.90
Approved the general warrants and payroll disbursements.
MONTHLY TREASURER'S AND INVESTMENT REPORT (NOVEMBER 2025) Received and filed the November 2025 report.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
(a) Rejected Claim #25-35 filed by Michael Petramala;
(b) Rejected Claim #25-45 filed by Khawala Abuelhija; and (c) Rejected Claim #25-53 filed by Alfredo Yanez
5. RENEWAL OF THE SENIOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM
(a) Authorized the City Manager to execute professional services agreement #26-01 with Laguna Beach Seniors to continue providing the Senior Home Repair Program for the community;
(b) Appropriated $125,000 from the Housing Fund and authorize the City Manager to provide a one-time lump sum payment for the appropriated amount to fund the professional services agreement; and
(c) Found the recommended action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15378(b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines. -3-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes January 13, 2026
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR DESIGN SERVICES FOR CITYWIDE UTILITY
UNDERGROUNDING STUDY
(1) Authorized the City Manager to award contract #26-02, 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) Approved an appropriation of $53,800 from the Wildfire Mitigation & Fire Safety Fund; and
(3) Found 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.
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)
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Bob Whalen.
Discussion: Staff briefly outlined the agenda report, and they responded to the Councilmembers' questions.
Public Testimony: Greg O'Loughlin, South Laguna Civic Association, explained the history of the access way for residents on Monterey and stated that it was important not to impede emergency access. He did not support the taking of public land for personal parking purposes. Ann Christoph weighed in on the item, stating that she agreed with O'Loughlin.
Councilmember Comments: Councilmember Bob Whalen stated that although the fire department access would not be impacted, turning this portion of land into personal parking would raise evacuation concerns for residents. He said it was important to maintain right-of- way evacuation routes.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to continue the item, directing staff to work with the applicant to determine if there is a solution that does not impede emergency access through the right-of- way.
RESOLUTION OPPOSING NEW OFFSHORE OIL LEASING FACILITIES OR
DRILLING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
(1) Adopted Resolution #26.004 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 2024-2029 NATIONAL OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM", stating the City's formal position against the Draft -4-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes January 13, 2026
Proposed Program for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program; and
(2) Found 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).)
ARTIST LIVE-WORK UNITS; AMENDMENT TO THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR 2307 AND 2535 LAGUNA CANYON ROAD
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Bob Whalen.
Public Testimony: Kristine Thalman and Jeff Randolph gave an update on the purchase and sale agreement for 2307 and 2535 Laguna Canyon Road Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(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.
REGULAR BUSINESS
*******‡**********
10. LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE LEASE AMENDMENT / FUNDING ASSISTANCE City Manager Dave Kiff explained why staff were asking to continue the item.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to continue the item to the January 27, 2026, City Council meeting.
11. AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE FOREST PROMENADE
PERMANENT CONVERSION
Presentation and Discussion: Staff gave a presentation and responded to Councilmembers' questions.
Public Testimony: Mary Locatelli and Carrie Reynolds commented on the project.
Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Mayor Mark Orgill, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
-5-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes January 13, 2026
(a) Award and authorize the City Manager to execute contract #26-03 with Superb Engineering, in the amount of $5,549,964.85, for construction of the Forest Promenade Permanent Conversion project;
(b) Award and authorize the City Manager to execute contract #26-04 with Nexgen Design Builders Inc, in the amount of $340,950, to provide construction management and inspection services and approve project-related expenses and change orders for additional construction management and inspection services that may be required in an amount not- to-exceed $34,000, and direct the City Manager to execute the required documents as approved by the City Attorney;
(c) Authorize the City Manager to approve project-related expenses and contract change orders for unforeseen circumstances in an amount not to exceed $1,100,000; (d) 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
(e) 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.
PUBLIC HEARING - NON-APPEAL
*********************************
12. PUBLIC HEARING AND BALLOTING FOR PROPOSED UNDERGROUND UTILITY ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 2021-3 (FAIRVIEW/LA BREA)
[This item began immediately prior to the Consent Calendar to (1) Receive and file the proposed Undergrounding Utility Assessment District 2021-3 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 continued during the Regular Meeting with the remaining actions after the tallying is complete.]
The City Council:
(a) Received and filed the proposed Undergrounding Utility Assessment District 2021-3 report;
(b) Opened the public hearing for public comments;
(c) Called for submittal of any final ballots, and closed the public hearing; (d) Directed staff to proceed with tallying ballots in City Hall, Conference Room A, and invited the public to observe the tallying process;
(e) Postponed the item until the ballot tally is complete and then resume the meeting on the item, asking staff to report the ballot results;
-6-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes January 13, 2026
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mark Orgill, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(f) Review the balloting results, and due to the majority of weighted ballots are in favor of the proposed assessment district; then:
(1) Adopt Resolution #26.005 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. 2021-3, 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," revised as presented by staff;
(2) Adopt Resolution #26.006 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. 2021-3 SUBJECT
TO RECEIPT OF BOND PROCEEDS AND FINDING THE SAME EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT," revised as presented by staff, awarding construction contract #26-05 to Hot Line Construction in the amount not to exceed $2,807,414
(3) Appropriate $474,580 for the General Benefit cost from the Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Fund prior to bonds being sold;
(4) Appropriate $474,580 as a separate City Contribution from the Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Fund prior to bonds being sold; and
(5) Authorize the City Manager to approve project related expenses and construction change orders for unforeseen circumstances for an amount not-to-exceed $280,742.
PUBLIC HEARING - APPEAL
****************************
A. APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 24-0658 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 24-0657 FOR A NEW SINGLE-FAMILY
DWELLING, ATTACHED TWO-CAR GARAGE, ELEVATED DECKS, GRADING,
AND LANDSCAPING, AND DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING AT 31526 VALIDO ROAD IN THE R-1, RESIDENTIAL LOW-DENSITY
ZONE, AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (CLASS 3)
The continuance of Appeal A was heard before the Consent Calendar.
Moved by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
-7-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes January 13, 2026
(1) Continue the public hearing to the February 24, 2026, City Council meeting, and ensure the historic assessment consultants are present to respond to questions; (2) Ensure the author of the original historic assessment is provided the opportunity to respond to the peer review; and
(3) 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).
COUNCILMEMBER ITEM(S) - None.
***********************************
ADJOURNMENT
****************
There being no further business, Mayor Orgill at 6:56 p.m., Tuesday January 13, 2026, adjourned to the City Council Study Session at 3:00 p.m., Closed Session at 4:00 p.m. and Regular City Council Meeting at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach California.
****************
Approved: January 27, 2026
Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk
Note: All components of minutes shall be for the primary purpose of memorializing decisions made by the legislative body. Any minute component that does not serve this primary purpose will be minimized or eliminated; this includes comments made by individual body members and members of the public. Discussions that occurred during the meeting can be viewed in archived video recordings on the city's website. Public submittals on items received prior to adjournment of the meeting are retained in the administrative record and can be viewed in the city clerk's repository. -8-
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54995)
EXCEPT OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
January 13, 20226
****************
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Beach was held at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in the City Council Chambers, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California.
***************
PRESENT COUNCILMEMBERS: Kempf, Rounaghi, Whalen, Jones, Orgill PARTICIPATING REMOTELY: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ADJOURNMENT
***************
There being no further business, Mayor Orgill at 6:56 p.m., Tuesday, January 13, 2026, adjourned to the Study Session at 3:00 p.m., Closed Session at 4:00 p.m. and the Regular Meeting at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California.
***************
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS.
CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
I, Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk of the City of Laguna Beach, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of the Minute entry on record in my office. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and affix the official seal of the City of Laguna Beach, California, on this 14th day of January 2026.
Muk.
NCORPORATES
City Clerk of the City of Laguna Beach California
JUNE 29.192
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT
****************************
1, Ann Marie Mckay, City Clerk of the City of Laguna Beach, California, DO CERTIFY that at the Regular Meeting of the City Council held on Tuesday, January 13, 2025, said meeting was ordered adjourned to the time and place specified in the notice of adjournment, ATTACHED HERETO; and that on January 14, 2026, at the hour of 10:45 a.m., a copy of the Notice was posted at a conspicuous place on or near the door of the place at which said meeting of the City Council was held
eny cek or the cly of Lazuna beach, cafe mia.