Laguna Beach City Council Annual Strategic Planning Session Minutes January 30, 2026
MINUTES
LAGUNA BEACH CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION January 30, 2026
A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Beach was called to order on Friday, January 30, 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
2026 STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION
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Public Testimony: The following members of the public provided testimony:
Nick Aronoff (transparency and timing of posted Strategic Planning Session materials, evaluation of the City's 2025 stewardship efforts and grading methodology); Ed Almanza, Laguna Ocean Foundation (visitor management, tourism impacts, and enforcement); Mary Locatelli (availability of audited financial statements, publication of the floodplain study related to the Promenade project); Karyn Philippsen and Mark Christy (Visit Laguna Beach governance and leadership changes); (Laura Parisi (public funds investing); Ann Marie McKay (request for oversight of Animal Shelter donation funds); Shelly Bennecke (wildfire preparedness, Firewise efforts, and the need for an Emergency Operations Center (EOC)); Penelope Milne (Open Space and Conservation Element).
Presentation about the City's 2027 Centennial Year:
Staff and Visit Laguna Beach presented an overview of preliminary planning for the City's 100th anniversary, to be celebrated on June 29, 2027. The presentation outlined year-round community programming, centennial branding, stakeholder participation, and the City Council's role in providing policy guidance and acting as ambassadors. Staff noted that planning efforts were in early stages and would return to Council with updates.
Regarding issues raised in the public testimony, City Manager Dave Kiff confirmed with staff that the floodplain study on the promenade project will be posted soon, the financial audit is in progress, and he did the grading himself.
Review of 2025 Key Priorities:
Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness - Staff provided a summary of 2025 accomplishments, including reinstatement of the Wildfire Ad Hoc Committee, adoption of an updated mitigation report, progress on action items, expanded evacuation planning, Firewise participation, technology investments, and fuel modification efforts. The City Council discussed lessons learned and coordination with regional partners.
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Laguna Beach City Council Annual Strategic Planning Session Minutes January 30, 2026 Economic Development - Staff reported on downtown economic development efforts, including reduced commercial vacancy rates, business openings, beautification improvements, broker outreach, and interagency coordination to assist businesses with permitting. The City Council discussed ongoing challenges related to property owners and regulatory processes.
Stewardship - Staff summarized efforts related to enforcement, Public Works surge operations, environmental protection, cultural programming, and coordination with Visit Laguna Beach and community organizations. The City Council discussed the multifaceted nature of stewardship, emphasizing quality of life, environmental protection, and community collaboration.
Community Development / Planning Improvements - Staff reported significant reductions in plan- check timelines, staffing stabilization, expanded use of electronic permitting, and ongoing process improvements. The City Council discussed cost recovery, fee subsidies, and the balance between in-person and digital services.
City Fiscal Sustainability & Building a Culture of Excellence - Staff reviewed internal improvements, including updated procurement policies, financial system implementation, audit status, master planning efforts, and completion of a class and compensation study. The City Council discussed staffing impacts and the importance of continued fiscal planning.
Issue by Issue Updates:
Caltrans - The City Council discussed ongoing coordination with Caltrans on projects affecting City facilities, businesses, and right-of-way areas. Staff noted the importance of early engagement and continued advocacy to minimize delays and regulatory impacts on City and private projects.
Library renovation - The library renovation was discussed as an active but complex capital project.
The City Council acknowledged phasing, funding constraints, and coordination requirements. The project remains under evaluation within broader facilities planning.
Playground replacement at Village Green Park - staff confirmed that the playground replacement project is currently on hold. The City Council acknowledged competing capital priorities and agreed the project should be revisited once funding, sequencing, and broader park planning considerations are clearer.
Item-By-Item Brief Direction Checks:
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) - The City Council discussed the need for a permanent EOC in the context of wildfire preparedness and regional lessons learned. Considerations included potential locations, capital and operating costs, and alignment with grant opportunities.
Laguna Canyon Road relinquishment - Discussion focused on jurisdictional responsibility, long-term maintenance, and implications for traffic operations and safety. The ad hoc committee will provide its recommendations at a future meeting.
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Laguna Beach City Council Annual Strategic Planning Session Minutes January 30, 2026 Laguna Beach County Water District building - Potential use of the Water District's administrative building was discussed in relation to City operational needs. The City Council expressed interest in understanding feasibility, compatibility, and timing before considering any formal action.
Funding for Housing - The City Council discussed housing funding obligations and constraints, including the City's limited revenue flexibility and state mandates. The discussion focused on identifying funding strategies rather than making project-specific decisions. It was suggested that staff provide an information guide on mixed-use allowances, and that staff investigate creative infill solutions.
Aliso Beach Parking Lot - The City Council confirmed for staff to proceed with the alternative proposal to simply repair the beach side lot as is, adding spaces if possible.
Facilities Master Plan Approach - The City Council directed staff to obtain a more detailed analysis on the value of the Community Recreation Center property, provide more analysis on the potential to add another story on City Hall, and location options for Fire Station 1.
Drone use for after-hours review of coves - The City Council discussed the potential use of drones for after-hours monitoring of coves to support stewardship and enforcement, i.e., a DFR (Drone as First Responder) program.
Proposed Priorities for 2026:
Wildfire Plan Implementation - The City Council affirmed wildfire preparedness and implementation of the updated Wildfire Plan as a top priority, emphasizing continued execution of adopted action items. Staff confirmed that grant funding remains intact and fully allocated for Fuel Modification Zone (FMZ) 16, and FMZ 19 will proceed using City funds City Fiscal Sustainability - The City Council discussed long-term fiscal sustainability, including structural budget considerations, potential revenue measures, and the relationship between economic development and City finances. The City Council reviewed the distinction between municipal and statewide authority under a charter city framework, including areas such as elections, governance structure, taxation authority, contracting, enforcement, and areas still governed by state law (e.g., housing, Brown Act, Public Records Act), and the City Attorney provided a timeline if the City Council wants to put becoming a charter city on the November 2026 ballot.
Stewardship Implementation - The City Council emphasized continued implementation of stewardship initiatives addressing environmental protection, visitor management, enforcement, and quality-of-life impacts.
Advanced Planning - The City Council discussed the need for advanced planning efforts and requested that staff return with a matrix to clarify sequencing and resource impacts. -3-
Laguna Beach City Council Annual Strategic Planning Session Minutes January 30, 2026 The City Council identified the February 10, 2026, meeting as a decision point for determining whether to proceed with the annual Mills Act program, pending further analysis and staff recommendations.
City Council Representation for Various Regional Organizations, Committees, and Ad Hoc Subcommittees:
The City Council reviewed appointments to various regional organizations, committees, and ad hoc subcommittees, and made changes as desired. The City Council directed that an ad hoc committee be established for the centennial celebration, and identified Councilmember Bob Whalen and Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones to represent the City on the Visit Laguna Board.
ADJOURNMENT
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There being no further business, Mayor Orgill at 2:49 p.m., Friday, January 30, 2026, adjourned to the City Council Regular Meeting, Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. for the Interviews & Appointments, the Closed Session at 4:00 p.m. and the Regular City Council Meeting at 5:00 p.m., at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach California. ***** *********
Approved: February 10, 2026
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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. -4-