MINUTES
LAGUNA BEACH CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
January 13, 2026
A Study Session of the City Council of the City of Laguna Beach was called to order on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., 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
STUDY SESSION
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CITYWIDE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION STUDY
Presentation and Discussion: Staff and the consultant gave a presentation on the completed Citywide Classification and Compensation Study, prepared by Baker Tilly US, LLP, and responded to Councilmember questions.
Public Testimony: None.
The City Council directed that staff and the consultants include information related to a hybrid compensation option with the presentation of the final report.
PACIFIC MARINE MAMMAL CENTER (PMMC) FIELD HOSPITAL REQUEST FOR PERMANENCY Presentation and Discussion: Staff and PMMC gave a presentation on PMMC's request, and responded to Councilmembers' questions.
Public Testimony: David Finch, Catherine Contrell, Sean Schlooner, John Laferty, and Sue Osborne, Friends of the Laguna Beach Dog Park, spoke against approval of the request, noting that the land was granted to be used as a dog park.
Chris Quilter, Anne Belyea, George Heed, Laguna Food Pantry, spoke against approval of the request, noting that the Food Pantry is in need of the space, if an agreement can be made with the dog park.
City Council Direction: Directed staff to further evaluate the PMMC request to make the field hospital a permanent facility at the current location by reviewing legal constraints for