Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap February 24, 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 Rounaghi
ROLL CALL
Present: Kempf, Rounaghi, Whalen, Jones, Orgill
Participating Remotely: None
Absent: None
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
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Public Testimony: Joy Berry, Johanna Felder, Merrill Anderson, Anne Caenn, Pam Adams, Gayle Waite, Charlotte Masarik, Mary Locatelli, John McLendon, Paul McManus, Mark Miller, and Jenna Johnson requested that the City Council not appeal the decision by the court on Case No.
G065514 regarding City of Laguna Beach v. Laguna Beach Coalition for Environment Protection.
City Attorney Megan Garibaldi reported that all Councilmembers were present and there were several public comments on item 1(b) prior to the City Council convening into the Closed Session.
Garibaldi reported that there was no reportable action on item 1(a), the City Council will resume discussion on item 1(b) after the Regular Meeting, and discussion on item 2 was continued to the next regular Closed Session.
POST MEETING REPORT:
City Attorney Megan Garibaldi reported that the Closed Session adjourned at 10:45 p.m. All Councilmembers were present and participated in the continued discussion on item 1(b), and there was no reportable action.
ADDITIONS and DELETIONS – None.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING
RECAP
Tuesday, February 24, 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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PRESENTATIONS
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1. RECOGNITION OF ASHER LAMB FOR HIS BRAVERY
9-year-old Asher Lamb was recognized for his bravery on September 23, 2025, when he and his grandmother were on a bicycle and run off the road by a distracted driver. With his grandmother unconscious, he waved down help, and was able to give police vital information on how to contact his parents, as well as information about his grandmother, which helped save her life.
2. PRESENTATION LAGUNA BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Received a presentation from Eric Jessen of the Laguna Beach Historical Society highlighting the history of the two former piers of Laguna Beach.
3. PROCLAMATION DECLARING FEBRUARY 2026 AS AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH Adopted the Proclamation declaring February 2026 as African American History Month in Laguna Beach.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
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John Lafferty spoke against the PMMC’s request to make field hospital permanent, which is located on a portion of the Laguna Beach Dog Park property.
Ed Steinfeld, Voice of Laguna, invited the public to attend tomorrow’s Town Hall with Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, in Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m.
City Treasurer Laura Parisi advised that she has been requested by the Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector office to once again fill in as Assistant Treasurer-Tax Collector, of which duties she will perform outside of the hours she performs her duties as City Treasurer, with no identified conflicts of interest.
Susan Skinner commented on the Closed Session item on the court’s decision on Case No. G065514 regarding City of Laguna Beach v. Laguna Beach Coalition for Environment Protection, encouraging the City Council to not appeal the decision made by the court.
Howard Englander expressed concerns about the eucalyptus trees hanging over his home, providing pictures of the limb that feel in a recent storm and narrowly missed his home.
Julie Jordan and Linda Morganlander expressed concerns regarding the moratorium put in place on new Mills Act applications.
Nick Aronoff thanked the City Council for its willingness to be open to public comment and provide opportunities for the public to express their views.
Greg Viviani provided reasons he was against expanding the MPA (Marine Protection Area).
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MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER **************************************************************** Regarding the tree concerns raised by Mr. Englander, City Manager Dave Kiff advised that the City is currently evaluating the tree that had the limb failure and is considering removal of that tree, and will evaluate the neighboring trees. Kiff also advised that staff will provide an update on the efforts to update the tree policy at an upcoming City Council meeting in March. Kiff also advised that the Mills Act program moratorium was put in place by staff to evaluate how the program is being administered.
Councilmember Sue Kempf reported that 31 out of 39 properties identified in violation of the commercial maintenance ordinance are now in full compliance.
Councilmember Alex Rounaghi congratulated the K9 units on their awards at the Murrieta K9 Trials.
He also reported on the Outgoing Mayor’s Luncheon hosted by the Woman’s Club, and he commented on Black History Month, recounting Arnold Hano’s activism to ensure equal service at barbershops.
Councilmember Bob Whalen noted the Laguna Art Museum’s upcoming 44th Annual California Cool Art Auction, reported that the hospital ad hoc committee is scheduled to provide an update at the March 10 City Council meeting, and commented on the Outgoing Mayor’s luncheon.
Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones invited the public to attend the Environmental & Cultural Stewardship Community Forum at 7:00 p.m. at the Rivian South Coast Theater.
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 – 9.
4. MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Approved the minutes of the Interviews & Appointments and the Regular Meeting for the City Council of February 10, 2026.
5. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS Approved the general warrants and payroll disbursements.
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6. MONTHLY TREASURER’S AND INVESTMENT REPORT (DECEMBER 2025) Received and filed the revised December 2025 reports.
7. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
(a) Rejected Claim #26-02 filed by Jean Rowe; and
(b) Rejected Claim #25-60 filed by Diege Dorsey.
8. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH GALLS LLC FOR PUBLIC SAFETY UNIFORMS AND RELATED
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
(a) Authorized the City Manager to execute a three-year cooperative purchasing agreement (#26-21) with Galls LLC for public safety uniforms and related products and services utilizing Sourcewell Contract No. 011124-GAL, in an amount not to exceed $120,000 annually and $600,000 over the full five-year term, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; (b) Authorized the City Manager to approve up to two additional one-year renewal terms, subject to the continued availability of the Sourcewell cooperative contract and annual budget approval; and
(c) Found that the recommended action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, as it involves administrative procurement activities that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change in the environment.
Moved by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Councilmember Bob Whalen, and carried unanimously 5/0 to reconsider item #9, after being advised that a member of the public had requested to pull it from the Consent Calendar.
9. AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR EOC RELOCATION & CRC GENERATOR PROJECT This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by a member of the public.
Moved by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Councilmember Bob Whalen, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Award and authorize the City Manager to execute construction contract #26-22 with Triangle DeCon Services, Inc. in the amount of $989,000 for the EOC Relocation & CRC Generator project;
(b) Authorize the City Manager to approve project-related expenses and change orders for unforeseen circumstances in an amount not to exceed $148,000; (c) Approve the appropriation and transfer of funds of $739,000 in the Wildfire Mitigation & Fire Safety Fund (#141) to the Capital Improvement Fund (#116) to fully fund the EOC Relocation & CRC Generator Project;
(d) Approve a budget adjustment to reduce the Fire Dept Office & Equipment budget (1102401C-80010) by $150,000 and transfer $150,000 from the General Fund (1100000T59616) to the Capital Improvement Fund (#116); Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap February 24, 2026 -5-
(e) Approve an appropriation to increase the EOC Relocation & CRC Generator project budget (616310C-81000-C2603 from $248,000 to $1,137,000; and
(f) Find that the award of contract is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15301.
REGULAR BUSINESS
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10. UPDATE ON HISTORIC PROPERTY EVALUATIONS PROJECT AND REQUEST FOR DIRECTION BASED
ON A REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CITY-HIRED HISTORIC CONSULTANT, ASM
AFFILIATES
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Receive and file a report on the Historic Property Evaluations Project, including the recommendations from the City-hired historic consultant, ASM Affiliates, on Task 1 of the Project relating to the evaluation of 54 properties on the Laguna Beach Local Historic Register without recorded preservation agreements;
(b) Provide direction to City staff to carry out ASM Affiliates’ recommendations for Task 1 of the Historic Property as follows:
1. Send letters to the property owners of 32 properties recommended to remain on the Historic Register, outlining the option for 25 pre-2006 properties to voluntarily record a Preservation Agreement and need for 7 post-2006 properties to record a Preservation Agreement. (ASM Affiliates located one previously missing Preservation Agreement, reducing the outreach total from 33 to 32).
2. Initiate the administrative process for six properties that are recommended for removal from the Laguna Beach Historic Register, including two properties that only require formal removal from the list because the delisting process has already been completed, and four properties that should proceed through the formal process for consideration of delisting.
3. Initiate the administrative process to reconsider 15 properties due to the inability to access certain sites and/or the need for post-construction evaluation. If the City Council desires to incentivize these outstanding reviews by covering the cost as part of the current project, the City’s projected cost is approximately $9,000 total.
Otherwise, this cost would be borne by the property owners at a later date. (c) Find the recommended actions are not a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under Public Resources Code Section 21065 or, alternatively, that the recommended actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the commonsense exemption under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
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11. CONFIRMATION OF 2026 CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Confirm the City Council Strategic Priorities for Calendar Year 2026 and issue-by-issue direction, as discussed at the January 30, 2026, Strategic Planning Session and as addressed in this staff report;
(b) Direct staff to align departmental work plans, performance measures, and budget development with the adopted priorities;
(c) Direct staff to continue to next steps to implement Tranche #1 of the Facility Master Plan; and
(d) Find that confirmation of the 2026 Strategic Priorities is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, as it does not constitute a project.
12. ESTABLISHMENT OF A CITY PARKING LOT RENTAL PROGRAM; AND UPDATE ON LAGUNA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN’S APPLICATION TO RENT CERTAIN PARKING LOTS AND SPACES AT CERTAIN TIMES ON A TEMPORARY BASIS DURING CONSTRUCTION OF LCAD’S INNOVATION CENTER
Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Adopt Resolution #26.013 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY PARKING LOT RENTAL PROGRAM;
AND FINDING THE ACTION CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15304”; (b) Receive a presentation from City staff on Laguna College of Art and Design’s request to rent certain City parking lots in 2026 at certain times during construction of LCAD’s innovation center at LCAD’s Big Bend portion of its campus and request to pay $5,000 for the use of such temporary parking in 2026; and
(c) Find the actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land, Class 4).
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PUBLIC HEARINGS –-APPEALS
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A. 31526 VALIDO ROAD: 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 IN THE R-1, RESIDENTIAL LOWDENSITY ZONE, AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (CLASS 3) Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Open the public hearing, take public testimony, and continue the public hearing to the March 10, 2026, City Council Meeting; and
(b) 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.
B. 2058 CRESTVIEW DRIVE: PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 25-1431 FOR A NEW SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH ATTACHED TWOCAR GARAGE, ELEVATED DECKS, GRADING, AND LANDSCAPING, COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 25-0433 FOR THIS NON-EXEMPT DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE COASTAL ZONE AND AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT, VARIANCE 25-0432 TO ENCROACH INTO A SIGNIFICANT
MODIFIED WATERCOURSE SETBACK AREA AND TO NOT PROVIDE A PUBLIC PARKING SPACE IN
THE DIAMOND/CRESTVIEW SPECIFIC PLAN AREA, AND REVOCABLE ENCROACHMENT PERMIT 25-2285 FOR RETAINING WALL AND FIRE ACCESS LADDER WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AT 2058 CRESTVIEW DRIVE, AND CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (CLASS 3) Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Councilmember Bob Whalen, and carried 4/1 (Councilmember Rounaghi opposed) to adopt Resolution #26.012 titled, “A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DENYING THE APPEAL AND SUSTAINING THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD’S APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW FOR A NEW SINGLEFAMILY RESIDENCE WITH AN ATTACHED TWO-CAR GARAGE, ELEVATED DECKS, GRADING, AND LANDSCAPING, COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 25-0433 FOR THIS NON-EXEMPT
DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE COASTAL ZONE, INCLUDING AN ATTACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT, VARIANCE 25-0432 TO ENCROACH INTO A SIGNIFICANT MODIFIED WATERCOURSE
SETBACK AREA AND TO NOT PROVIDE A PUBLIC PARKING SPACE IN THE DIAMOND/CRESTVIEW SPECIFIC PLAN AREA, AND REVOCABLE ENCROACHMENT PERMIT 25-2285 FOR RETAINING
WALL AND FIRE ACCESS LADDER WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY, AND CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (CLASS 3),” with more restrictive condition including reducing the overall height of the structure by 1 to 2 feet, upholding the Design Review Board’s conditional approval of Design Review 25- 0431, Coastal Development Permit 25-0433, Variance 25-0432, and Revocable Encroachment Permit 25-2285, and finding the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
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COUNCILMEMBER ITEM(S)
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In accordance with Resolution #24.011, the City Council supported Councilmember Sue Kempf’s request to form an ad hoc committee consisting of herself and Councilmember Alex Rounaghi to work with City Manager Dave Kiff on fiscal sustainability.
ADJOURNMENT AT 8:59 P.M., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026,
TO RECOVENE TO CLOSED SESSION ON ITEM 1(B), THEN TO THE CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION AT 4:00 P.M. AND REGULAR MEETING AT 5:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026