McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Support for the promenade tree removal decisions From: Christine Miller
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 11:32 AM
To: McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]>
Subject: Support for the promenade tree removal decisions Can you please put this in the public record. Thank you Dear Council Members,
My husband and I want to express our support for the decisions being made regarding the promenade improvements and the recent determination that certain trees needed to be removed. We understand these projects require careful planning, and we also recognize that this decision was informed by professional arborist reviews.
We trust the arborists' assessment and appreciate the City's efforts to maintain both the safety of the public and the successful completion of a beautiful, well-designed promenade for our community. While we know this was likely a difficult and last-minute change, we encourage the Council to continue moving forward with the project so the promenade can be completed as intended.
We also understand that public comments at Council meetings tonight may be loud and passionate. Still, we hope you will view this as an opportunity to reaffirm the process that was followed and the rationale behind the arborists' recommendations-then proceed with the next steps for the promenade.
Thank you for your service, your time, and your continued focus on moving the promenade project forward.
We will be watching the process closely and supporting the Council's direction.
Sincerely,
Ryan & Christy Miller
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Promenade trees
From: jvd.aia
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 11:48 AM
To: City Council <[email protected]>; Kiff, Dave CM<[email protected]> Subject: Promenade trees
Hi, you all have probably been getting lots of hate mail. This is not one of those. You will get plenty of hate tonight at the meeting. Sorry.
At first, I was very upset, then I saw Mark and Dave's video explanation. Then I read the arborist's report. Then I totally understood what was going on. It was not a matter of "if" the trees would die or fall over, it was "when". I have often wondered how those trees survived in those tiny "tree wells". Well, they didn't do so good, did they? I had also often wondered about the concrete below the asphalt and the (salt) water table below that. Now l understand.
I love the fact that you all have diligently researched and will implement better living environments for the new trees. Good.
The midnight cutting and buying new trees long in advance appears on the surface suspect. I'm sure you will explain it all and it will make sense. (Maybe preventing Tony Isman and Ann Christoph from chaining themselves to of the trees! Oops did I say that out loud?).
I am 100% behind the Promenade project. I am, however, disappointed that you did not include a stagecoach stop and hitching posts like Village Laguna would have preferred.
I am, as always, your most humble servant and supporter, (and neighbor), Jim Van Dalfsen
Bolsana
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: THE REMOVAL OF FOREST AVENUE TRESS
From: deborah
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2026 2:51 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: THE REMOVAL OF FOREST AVENUE TRESS
There is no reason to have public input for removal of trees in actual peril of falling on people and businesses. The only decision to be made was that based on a professional arborist evaluation after a mature tree did indeed topple over in March 2026. The arborist assessment demonstrated shallow roots and other problems with the remaining older trees. How could the City do otherwise than remove trees in danger of falling over? Plus the City plants to properly plant mature trees in their place. Deb Engle, resident and lover of trees myself.
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 27, 2026, at 1:03 PM, Village Laguna
<[email protected]> wrote:
4 LAGUNA
Trees Removed at Forest Avenue Promenade
Tuesday, April 28, Item 15, City Council
Submit comments at
citycouncil@ lagunabeachcity.net and speak!
1 McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Agenda Item 15 Forest Ave. Tree Removal - A Terrible but Necessary Action -----Original Message-----
From: Catherine Jurca
Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2026 1:31 PM
To: Orgill, Mark <[email protected]>; Jones, Hallie <[email protected]>; Kempf, Sue <[email protected]>; Rounaghi, Alex <[email protected]>; Whalen, Bob <bwhalen @lagunabeachcity.net>
Cc: Kiff, Dave CM < [email protected]>; McKay, Ann Marie CC <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 15 Forest Ave. Tree Removal - A Terrible but Necessary Action Dear Mayor and Council:
It is a terrible shame about the trees. It is also a shame that residents are treating you and Dave like tree assassins, who were just lying in wait to massacre the eucalyptus in the middle of the night.
I guess a lot of this ties into the bad feelings about the Promenade. The loss of the trees was a reasonably foreseeable result of the construction activity, and it is hard for many people, myself included, to amplify the loss of our historic main street as it has looked for about a hundred years with the loss of most of the mature trees.
But I think it's really unfair to suggest that there was anything else to be done but to remove them for public safety and liability reasons. I was surprised by many of the letters in the available public correspondence, which suggest that this decision was lightly made and capricious, that there was no second opinion, and that evidence of likely tree failures was lacking. It's hard to imagine the city conducting a more thorough review.
I can only assume that some people thought that the zoom meeting was to solicit their opinions on what to do rather than to inform them of the difficult decision that had been made and the replanting project.
It's awful, and people are very upset, but I do wish there could be a little more kindness and understanding. I have close experience of three City Councils now in the various cities I've found myself in over the last decade. None works harder than you. We have a superb City Manager. I feel lucky every day to live in Laguna, and that is true regardless of the state of Forest Avenue.
I hope we can learn from this and come up with a tree management plan to ensure that new plantings everywhere in the city will have the best chances of a long and healthful life.
Thank you.
Best wishes,
Cathy
1 McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: A short story for a long thank you
From: john zegowitz
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2026 3:35 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>; Kiff, Dave CM <[email protected]> Subject: A short story for a long thank you
Hi Council & Mr. Kiff.
I want to relate a quick story to you guys.
When my 85 year old mom was staying with me this winter, she brought Guido, her 16 year old dog along too-as she always does. This dog is deaf, blind, and as we found out while he was here... mind blowingly senile. I know - right? Who knew dogs could go senile too? I like this dog a lot. You can imagine how quirky he must be! But over time it became obvious that I could not send my mom back to New Hampshire with this dog... it's a hazard. Guido was leaving messes everywhere, always under her feet, and had the disposition of an untethered firehose if my mom even took the time to go to the bathroom. We could not go out without him, and she felt uncomfortable going anywhere with him. I was faced with a hard decision - I had to convince my mom it was time to put the dog down, he could not be re-homed, and she could not risk her own health and safety trying to take care of him alone. Eventually - she made it my decision, and my task to be the adult in the room.
She has returned to NH about a month ago now- without Guido It was really hard on her at first. She was resentful that | talked her into this, and that I made it happen—but at the same time, she is now out enjoying life like she could not before.
She still won't admit fully it was the right thing... And probably never will. She will just keep telling me it was not time yet, and she misses the little cretin. It's a zero win situation, and gratitude will never be forthcoming. But that was never expected. The reward is in seeing her enjoy a greater quality of life.
Anyway - this is my unreasonably long and circuitous way of saying "Thank you all" for making the adult decisions, and taking the adult actions that everyone will be grateful for when the dust settles, but few will admit out loud.
You guys rock,
John Z
John Zegowitz
Chief Pilot
1 McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Promenade
From: kathy jones
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 12:13 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Promenade
We bumped into Mark Orgill the other night and got an update on the promenade and the tree removal.
We know how sad it is to have to remove even a single tree, (I think, in fact, that l am on record somewhere in the past for yelling at you all for some discussion of tree removal) but at the same time we understand the safety and liability issues and we are entirely supportive of the decisions you all had to make.
We know it was a tough decision, but it was also the right one for this community.
Thank you for all that you do
Kathy and Mike.
McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: From Mark at Chantilly Ice Cream
From: Mark Brown
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 10:21 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>; Kiff, Dave CM <[email protected]> Subject: From Mark at Chantilly Ice Cream
Good Evening Council, Mayor and Staff and Mr Kiff,
I just watched Mr Kiff's zoom meeting on YouTube discussing the situation with the promenade trees. Much like others, I was shocked when walking down Forrest Ave to my shop yesterday. After hearing the reasoning behind it, I better understand the full picture. I just wanted to take this moment to send you some words of support. I hope there hasn't been too much blame and misplaced emotions directed your way. I don't think there's anything different that could have been done, and honestly, getting out in front of it head on was the right way to go about it. People will have their "angry moment" and reactions out of shock, but hopefully common sense will carry the day and they'll quickly realize that we're all on the same team - nobody wanted this situation.
I think this city government does a fantastic job. YOU guys do a fantastic job. I'm proud to be a business owner in our great community. If there is anything I can do to help, please reach out.
While I'm sure this has been said already, I think finding a way to get even just a few big, fully mature trees lifted into space would probably go a long way (beyond the 48" boxes that are scheduled). I'd readily donate to this tree program if such an initiative were to be set up.
Keep up the great work and remember there's a huge portion of your community that has your back 110%.
Mark Brown
Chantilly Ice Cream