Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap February 10, 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
Councilmember Kempf
ROLL CALL
Present: Kempf, Rounaghi, Whalen, Jones, Orgill
Participating Remotely: None
Absent: None
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
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City Attorney Megan Garibaldi reported that all Councilmembers were present and there was no public comment prior to the City Council convening into the Closed Session, and there was no reportable action.
ADDITIONS and DELETIONS – None.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
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Mike Beanan, Laguna Bluebelt Coalition, presented a video advocating to extend the City’s Marine Protection Area.
Nick Aronoff commented on the multiple City priorities, asserting that addressing the State housing mandate is essential, and opined that the sequence and transparency on addressing the City’s priorities is important.
Peter Sacks, Spurs and Satin Wild West reenactment group, recounted the group’s history in the Patriots Day Parade and their gun safety protocols. He commented that the group was banned from firing weapons last year without discussion, and requested that the City consider alternatives.
Ed Steinfeld announced that there is a GoFundMe to help Michael the Greeter get permanent housing, and donations to the GoFundMe can be made through the website www.homeforthegreeter.com
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
RECAP
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
City Council Closed Session 4:00 p.m.
Regular City Council Meeting 5:00 p.m.
CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach
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PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS (continued)
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Larry Zeman, Rich Plavetich, and Kerry Trevino spoke on view blockages by public trees, and requested an update on the status of the City’s consideration of a public tree ordinance.
Tim Templeton commented on fire safety improvements implemented by the City, announced the establishment of the Top of the World Firewise Community, and commented on the need for additional telecommunications capabilities.
Ann Marie McKay requested that the City Council direct staff to draft a Memorandum of Understanding for City Council consideration to define appropriate uses of the animal shelter donation funds.
MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER **************************************************************** In response to Mayor Mark Orgill, City Manager Dave Kiff confirmed that staff can provide an update on staff’s efforts related to public trees to the City Council at a future meeting.
Councilmember Sue Kempf commented on challenges related to getting telecommunication providers to improve service in Laguna Beach.
In response to Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, City Manager Dave Kiff confirmed that staff will be presenting the priority matrix at the City Council February 24 meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones reported that she, Fire Chief Niko King, and Newth Morris were invited to attend the XPRIZE Wildfire Autonomous Wildfire Response Track Finalists announcement event, and had Chief King provide an oral report. Mayor Pro Tem Jones also advised that she met with the new president of the Police Employee Association, Brendan Rowland.
City Engineer Tom Perez provided an update on the promenade construction project. Assistant City Manager Jeremy Frimond advised that the temporary parking program is scheduled to go before the Planning Commission at its March 4 meeting.
Mayor Mark Orgill reported on various meetings with members of the public.
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 – 2, 4 – 6, and 8 (Mayor Mark Orgill recused from item #5).
1. MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Approved the minutes of the Study Session and the Regular Meeting of the City Council of January 27, 2026, and the Special Meeting of the City Council of January 30, 2026.
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2. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS Approved the general warrants and payroll disbursements.
3. ANNUAL UPDATE OF THE CITY’S RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by a member of the public.
Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0:
(a) Adopt Resolution #26.010 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, UPDATING THE CITY’S RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE,
AUTHORIZING DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN CITY RECORDS, AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 25.006”; and
(b) Find the action is not a “project” within the meaning of the California Environment Quality Act under Public Resources Code Section 21065.
4. RECREATION COMMITTEE 2026 WORK PLAN
The City Council authorized the Recreation Committee to proceed with its 2026 Work Plan.
5. PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS AT GLENNEYRE PARKING STRUCTURE AND ANITA STREET BEACH ACCESS
Mayor Mark Orgill recused himself from this item due to the location of his residence within 500 feet of the project site.
(a) Approved the installation of the sculpture titled, “A Breeze, Floating Bloom” by Arne Quinze to satisfy the Art in Public Places requirement in Chapter 1.09 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code for 501 Glenneyre Street (Parking Lot 6); Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap February 10, 2026 -4-
(b) Approved the expenditure of $130,000 and appropriation of $21,605 from the Art in Lieu Fund for the installation of the sculpture titled, “A Breeze, Floating Bloom” by Arne Quinze; (c) Approved the installation of the untitled tile mural by Kevin A. Myers at the Anita Street Beach Access Renovation Project;
(d) Approved the expenditure of $30,000 installation of an untitled tile mural by artist Kevin A.
Myers; and
(e) Found that these actions are exempt under California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15303.
6. AMENDMENT TO SERVICE PROVIDER AGREEMENT FOR BUILDING AND PLANNING SERVICES (a) Authorized the City Manager to execute a third amendment to Agreement #22-64 with the Code Group, Inc. (dba VCA Code) to increase the contract amount by $190,000 for continued building and planning services, with the provided revisions; and (b) Found this action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
7. AMENDMENT TO AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT RELATED TO RIGHT OF WAY ADJACENT TO 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 a member of the public.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 5/0:
(a) Deny the request to amend an Easement Agreement related to right of way adjacent to 31131 Monterey Street; and
(b) Direct staff to return to the City Council with recommendations on maintaining and improving the trail.
8. CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATION FOR VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMITTEES (a) Confirmed City Council appointments to various organizations and committees listed in Attachment 1 of the staff report, as revised to add Mayor Mark Orgill to the Laguna Playhouse committee;
(b) Confirmed City Council representation on Ad Hoc Committees as listed in Attachment 2 of the staff report; and
(c) Found that the recommended action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15378(b)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines.
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9. ORANGE COUNTY POWER AUTHORITY (OCPA) - STUDY SESSION SUMMARY AND COUNCIL
DIRECTION
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by a member of the public.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, seconded by Councilmember Bob Whalen, and carried unanimously 5/0 to direct the Environmental Sustainability Committee to develop a work plan for City Council review, regarding potential participation in OCPA, including what other studies would be needed, such as the no-cost feasibility study, and return to the City Council with the proposed plan.
REGULAR BUSINESS
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10. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC) DISCUSSION
City Manager Dave Kiff provided a presentation on options for the City Council to consider regarding a permanent Emergency Operations Center.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to direct staff to proceed with the option to remodel space within the Community Recreation Center to establish a permanent Emergency Operations Center, and return to the City Council with recommendations on building Fire Station 1 and modifications to build out City Hall.
11. HOSPITAL ACTION PLAN DISCUSSION
Councilmembers Whalen and Rounaghi provided thoughts on possible next steps to protect the community’s interest via a further evaluation of possible changes in service by the operators of Mission Hospital in South Laguna.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to direct the ad hoc committee to develop a work plan.
12. CITY CHARTER DISCUSSION
The City Manager and the City Attorney provided a presentation on options to consider should the City Council wish to ask the voters to adopt a City Charter in November 2026.
Moved by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Direct staff to bring back to the City Council for consideration a revised draft Charter that incorporates the three primary focus areas articulated during Council discussion: parking enforcement/parking management flexibility (including ability to contract out enforcement), procurement/public contracting flexibility, and penalty/fine authority to improve deterrence;
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(b) Explore and include public financing and economic development flexibility, and provide examples of how those authorities could be used;
(c) Provide a financial analysis;
(d) Post links on the City website to other Orange County charters and referenced municipal code sections for context; and
(e) Explore potential charter language addressing the City Clerk and City Treasurer role descriptions and/or qualifications so the public understands the functions of those elected offices.
PUBLIC HEARING – NON-APPEAL
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13. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Adopt Resolution #26.011 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING ITS MASTER FEE SCHEDULE AND FINDING SUCH ACTIONS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT,” with the provided revisions; and
(b) Find the action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(4), 15273(a)(1), and 15273(a)(2).
COUNCILMEMBER ITEM(S) – None.
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ADJOURNMENT AT 9:48 P.M., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026,
TO THE CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION AT 4:00 P.M. AND REGULAR MEETING AT 5:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026