Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap January 13, 2026 -1-
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS
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CONSENT CALENDAR
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PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS (continued)
WELCOME
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Orgill
ROLL CALL
Present: Kempf, Rounaghi, Whalen, Jones, Orgill
Participating Remotely: None
Absent: None
ADDITIONS and DELETIONS
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City Manager Dave Kiff advised that he will be recommending that agenda item #10 is continued.
The continuance of Appeal A was heard at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
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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 City.
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.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
RECAP
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Regular City Council Meeting 5:00 p.m.
CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach
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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
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Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to approve items 1 – 6 and 8.
1. 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.
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2. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS Approved the general warrants and payroll disbursements.
3. MONTHLY TREASURER’S AND INVESTMENT REPORT (NOVEMBER 2025) Received and filed the November 2025 report.
4. 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.
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6. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR DESIGN SERVICES FOR CITYWIDE UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING STUDY
(a) 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; (b) Approved an appropriation of $53,800 from the Wildfire Mitigation & Fire Safety Fund; and (c) 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.
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) This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Bob Whalen.
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-ofway.
8. RESOLUTION OPPOSING NEW OFFSHORE OIL LEASING FACILITIES OR DRILLING IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA
(a) 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 Proposed Program for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program; and
(b) 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).)
9. 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.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
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(a) Approve the Third Amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreements for 2307 and 2535 Laguna Canyon Road; and
(b) 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
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10. LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE LEASE AMENDMENT / FUNDING ASSISTANCE 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
Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Mayor Mark Orgill, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(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 notto-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.
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PUBLIC HEARING – NON-APPEAL
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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;
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.
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PUBLIC HEARING – APPEAL
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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:
(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.
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ADJOURNMENT AT 6:56 P.M., TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026,
TO THE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AT 3:00 P.M.,
CLOSED SESSION AT 4:00 P.M. AND REGULAR MEETING AT 5:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026