Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap May 26, 2026
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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) – None.
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ADDITIONS and DELETIONS
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City Manager Dave Kiff removed Consent Item #10 from the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
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1. RECOGNITION OF THE LAGUNA BEACH HIGH SCHOOL FLOW PROGRAM Recognized the Laguna Beach High School FLOW Program and its students for their leadership, community engagement, and contributions to the Laguna Beach community.
2. RECOGNITION OF THE 2026 MAYOR'S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE RECIPIENTS Recognized the recipients of the 2026 Mayor’s Award of Excellence for their outstanding contributions, leadership, and service to the Laguna Beach community: Claire Kelly, Ocean Lifeguard II; Danny Kalscheuer, Fire Captain; Ashley Moran, Senior Public Works Analyst / Solid Waste Program Director; Leyna Nguyen, Senior Administrative Analyst; and the Recreation Team, Tierney Doran, Recreation Supervisor, Andrea Tirnauer, Senior Services Coordinator, Garrett Rauch, Recreation Coordinator, and Michelle Farry, Recreation Coordinator.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
RECAP
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
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
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Mike Rauch and Vicki Johnson continued warning the City about joining the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA).
Jay Gallagher requested relief from condition of approval #3 of the temporary use permit for his upcoming live music event, which requires the applicant to cover the cost of two police officers for the event.
Kirsten Warner, Coast Film Foundation, requested clear direction regarding sound limitations at the Irvine Bowl for the upcoming Coast Film Festival.
Jensen Hallstrom opined on the new trees for the promenade on Forest project.
MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER **************************************************************** City Manager Dave Kiff introduced the City’s new Human Resources Manager, Mike Bergstrom. Kiff advised that Seth Teigan may present at the June 9 City Council meeting, rather than the June 1 Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Committee meeting. Kiff also responded to Hallstrom’s comments regarding the promenade project trees, noting the lengthy approval process that occurred. Community Development Department Director Matt Schneider commented on Gallagher’s permit event conditions, and Capt. David Dereszynski explained the need for police officers for the event. Kiff then announced upcoming town halls on the potential Laguna Canyon Road relinquishment, programming for the promenade on Forest, and the City budget. Kiff also noted the upcoming closure of the school pool, and the Last Splash Pool Party followed by “Puppies in the Pool.” Councilmember Sue Kempf commented on the Memorial Day event, the Police Department’s educational sessions on the canopy ban, and provided updates on the “trash free” campaign.
Councilmember Alex Rounaghi offered to meet with Gallagher and also with Coast Film Festival about their concerns about their upcoming events. He reported on various events he attended, and noted that the Orange County Point in Time count showed a decrease in the number of unhoused in Laguna Beach from 46 down to 29.
Councilmember Bob Whalen reported on various events and meetings he attended, and noted a new AI tool being implemented by SOCWA. He also commented on the history of the hospital that was provided by Ann Christoph history of hospital.
Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones reported on various events and meetings she attended.
Mayor Mark Orgill reported on various meetings with members of the public and events he attended.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
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Moved by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 5/0 (Mayor Pro Tem Jones recused on item #7) to approve items 1 – 9 and 11 – 14.
3. MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Received and filed the minutes of the May 12, 2026, City Council Study Session, the May 12, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting, and the May 13, 2026, City Council Special Meeting.
4. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS Approved the general warrants and payroll disbursements.
5. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
(a) Rejected Claim #26-25 filed by Robert Morton; and
(b) Rejected Claim #26-26 filed by Robert Morton.
6. RECEIVE AND FILE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH FACILITIES MASTER PLAN FINAL REPORT (a) Received and filed the Facilities Master Plan Final Report; and (b) Found that the recommended action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, as it does not constitute a project.
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7. AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR AGATE STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS (a) Awarded and authorized the City Manager to execute contract #26-110 with Gentry General Engineering Inc., in the amount of $587,330.00 for the Agate Storm Drain Improvements project;
(b) Awarded and authorized the City Manager to issue a task order to Onward Engineering, in the amount of $94,770 to provide construction inspection services; (c) Authorized the City Manager to approve project-related expenses and construction changeorders for unforeseen circumstances in an amount not to exceed $60,000; and (d) Found that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(d) – New Construction of Utility Extensions.
8. AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE FIRE STATION 4 RETAINING WALL, CIP 22-9875 (a) Awarded and authorized the City Manager to execute contract #26-111 with Voltaire Engineering in the amount of $1,499,266, for the construction of the Fire Station 4 retaining wall at 31796 Coast Highway;
(b) Authorized the City Manager to approve project-related expenses and contract change orders for unforeseen circumstances in an amount not to exceed $150,000; and (c) Found that the project was previously evaluated pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) through adoption of an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse No. 2022090383), adopted by the City Council on November 15, 2022.
9. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR SENIOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (a) Authorized the City Manager to execute five-year Professional Services Agreement #26- 112, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with Sally’s Fund for senior transportation services for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, in an amount not to exceed $769,826; and
(b) Found the action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
10. AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF DEED RESTRICTION AND RECEIVE AND FILE LONG-TERM
MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR LAGUNA CANYON CREEK EROSION
PROTECTION PROJECT
[This item was removed from the agenda.]
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11. AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE DISPATCH CONSOLE AND RADIO ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER REDUNDANCY AT THE LAGUNA BEACH COMMUNITY &
RECREATION CENTER
(a) Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute Cooperative Agreement #26-113 with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for the purchase of communications equipment and services in an amount not to exceed $125,022.11 (inclusive of estimated taxes), pursuant to Los Angeles County Contract No. MA-IS-2240228-2;
(b) Authorized the City Manager to approve agreement #26-114 with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Communications Division for antenna system procurement and installation at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center Emergency Operations Center in an amount not to exceed $7,401.61;
(c) Authorized total project expenditures not to exceed $132,423.72, funded from the Wildfire Mitigation / Fire Safety Police Support Services account (Account No. 1412101-12071- S2604); and
(d) Found this action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
12. AUTHORIZATION TO ASSUME MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUEL MODIFICATION ZONE 25 (IRVINE COVE)
(a) Authorized the Fire Department to proceed with establishing contract #26-115 for the ongoing maintenance of Fuel Modification Zone 25 (Irvine Cove), with the City assuming responsibility for maintenance costs previously funded by the Irvine Cove Community Association HOA; and
(b) Found that this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15301 and § 15304, and is further statutorily exempt as an action necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency pursuant to Public Resources Code § 21080(b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines § 15269(c).
13. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO GENASYS INC. FOR THE INSTALLATION, SETUP, AND INSPECTION OF
PUBLIC SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND THE COMMISSIONING AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY
SOFTWARE
(a) Awarded and authorized the City Manager to execute contract #26-116 with Genasys Inc. in the amount of $354,026.49 for the installation, setup, and inspection of public safety equipment and the commissioning and maintenance of public safety software; and (b) Found that this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15301 and §15303, relating to existing facilities and the installation of small new equipment and facilities, and further find that none of the exceptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines §15300.2 apply.
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14. 238 CHIQUITA STREET: RATIFICATION OF RESOLUTIONS REGARDING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD DENIAL OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2026-0148 FOR A DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT IN THE R-2, RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY ZONE AT 238 CHIQUITA STREET, AND FINDING THAT THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT DOES NOT APPLY TO PROJECTS THAT ARE DISAPPROVED Adopted Resolution 26.038 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DENYING THE APPEAL AND SUSTAINING THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD’S DENIAL OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2026-0148 FOR A DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT IN THE R-2, RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY ZONE, AND
DETERMINING THAT THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT DOES NOT APPLY TO PROJECTS THAT ARE DISAPPROVED”, upholding the Design Review Board’s denial of Coastal Development Permit 2026-0148, and finding the denial of the Project exempt from CEQA.
15. 31526 VALIDO ROAD: RESOLUTION FOR APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 24-0658 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 24-0657 FOR A NEW SINGLEFAMILY DWELLING, ATTACHED TWO-CAR GARAGE, ELEVATED DECKS, GRADING, AND LANDSCAPING, AND DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING AT 31526 VALIDO ROAD IN THE R-1, RESIDENTIAL LOW-DENSITY ZONE, AND CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (CLASS 3)
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by a member of the public.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried 3/2 (Councilmembers Kempf and Rounaghi opposed) to adopt Resolution 26.039 titled, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SUSTAINING APPEAL NO. 2, OVERTURNING THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD’S CONDITIONAL APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 24-0658 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 24-0657 AND ITS FINDING
THAT THE PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15303; FINDING THE EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURE TO BE A DISCRETIONARY HISTORIC RESOURCE UNDER CEQA; AND ORDERING FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR A PROJECT AT 31526 VALIDO ROAD IN THE R-1, RESIDENTIAL LOW-DENSITY ZONE,” as revised and presented by Assistant City Attorney Jane Abzug at the meeting, finding the existing structure to be a discretionary historic resource under CEQA, overturning the Board Approval, and directing further environmental review.
REGULAR BUSINESS
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16. APPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR THE HOSPITAL TASK FORCE
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, seconded by Mayor Mark Orgill, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Direct the ad hoc committee to interview the Hospital Task Force applicants and return to the City Council with recommended appointees; and
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(b) Find that the recommended action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because the action involves organizational and administrative activities that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
PUBLIC HEARINGS –-NON-APPEALS
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17. TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2026-0793 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2026-0802 AT 2500 GLENNEYRE STREET, 2500 PALA WAY, AND 2500 QUEDA WAY
Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to adopt Resolution #26.040 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP 2026-0793 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2026-0802 MERGING THREE LOTS AT 2500 GLENNEYRE STREET (APN: 626-126-09), 2500 PALA WAY (APN: 626-146-01), AND 2500 QUEDA WAY (APN:
626-146-02) INTO A SINGLE LOT IN THE R-1 (RESIDENTIAL LOW-DENSITY) ZONE; AND FINDING
THE ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15303.”
18. FIRST READING OF DESIGN REVIEW EFFICIENCY ORDINANCE AND EFFICIENCY ORDINANCE Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Continue the public hearing to the June 23, 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).
PUBLIC HEARINGS –-NON-APPEALS
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A. 31565 EAGLE ROCK WAY: PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 2025-0407 FOR A NEW SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING, ATTACHED TWO-CAR
GARAGE, ELEVATED DECK, GRADING, POOL, SPA, LANDSCAPING, HARDSCAPE, NEW VEHICULAR
ACCESS, PUBLIC STREET IMPROVEMENTS, AND DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING STORAGE BUILDING, AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2025-0408 FOR A DETACHED ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNIT IN THE VC, VILLAGE COMMUNITY ZONE, 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 unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Continue the public hearing to the June 9, 2026, City Council Meeting; and Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap May 26, 2026
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(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. 855 LA VISTA DRIVE: PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 2026-0278 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2026-0279 FOR A NEW
DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT, ELEVATED DECK, RETAINING WALLS EXCEEDING FIVE FEET IN EXPOSED HEIGHT, AND GRADING, AND VARIANCE 2026-0280 TO ENCROACH INTO A
SIGNIFICANTLY MODIFIED WATERCOURSE SETBACK AREA, AND CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15303 (CLASS 3) AND 15305 (CLASS 5)
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Mark Orgill, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Continue the public hearing to the June 23, 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).
COUNCILMEMBER ITEM(S) – None.
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ADJOURNMENT AT 6:16 P.M., TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026,
TO THE STUDY SESSION AT 3:00 P.M., THEN THE CLOSED SESSION AT 4:00 P.M.
AND REGULAR MEETING AT 5:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026