Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
MINUTES
LAGUNA BEACH CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
June 9, 2026
A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Beach was called to order at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in the City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California, Mayor Mark Orgill presiding.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Kempf, Rounaghi, Whalen, Jones, Orgill PARTICIPATING REMOTELY: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT(S) - None.
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ADDITIONS and DELETIONS - None.
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City Manager Dave Kiff removed Consent Item #15 from the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
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PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL Approved the Proclamation recognizing the 60th Anniversary of the Sawdust Art Festival.
2. RECOGNITION OF THE SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL YOUNG ARTISTS AND AUTHORS
SHOWCASE WINNERS
Recognized the winners of the 2026 Laguna Beach Sister Cities Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS).
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Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
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Michelle Highberg, Just Gather, invited everyone to their upcoming "Harmony Events." Ed Almonza, Laguna Ocean Foundation, provided an update on the tidepool education program, and reported on this year's KelpFest.
Carissa Dale announced that she is donating the proceeds from her yoga classes around the solstice to nonprofits, with the upcoming summer solstice donations going to the Laguna Ocean Foundation.
Mike Rauch and Vicki Johnson continued warning the City about joining the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA).
Courtney Rickard, OC Coastkeeper, presented an update on the Aliso Beach Wildlife Habitat Monitoring Program.
Dana announced the Laguna Bluebelt photo contest.
Robin Hall, Mary Locatelli, Bryan Menne, and Jennifer Zeiter commented that the Laguna Canyon Road relinquishment should go to a public vote.
Robert Cosgrove commended staff on the recent evacuation preparedness sessions.
Gary Jenkins, Laguna Playhouse, announced the upcoming production.
Jennifer Zeiter expressed her expectation that the City's 4th of July celebration will be fitting for the country's 250th anniversary.
MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER ************************************************************* City Manager Dave Kiff reported that as a result of the Laguna Canyon Road townhall, he requested and the City was granted an extension from Caltrans on signing a "State of Good Repair" letter (a step within the relinquishment process) to allow for additional time to effectively answer questions raised by the public. Kiff also provided an update on the promenade project and advised that this week's California Coastal Commission meeting includes a waiver request from the City for the removal of the final tree that occurred. Kiff also announced a townhall on the budget on Wednesday, June 16, and he presented recent police department enforcement statistics.
Councilmember Sue Kempf requested that the police statistics be posted on the City's social media accounts. She provided an update on the Clean Laguna campaign and reported on the activation event that occurred for the chess pieces art in front of City Hall. -2-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
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.
CONSENT CALENDAR
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Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to approve items 1 - 7 and 9 - 16.
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Received and filed the minutes of the May 26, 2026, Joint City Council/Planning Commission/Design Review Board Study Session, and minutes of the May 26, 2026, Regular Meeting for the City Council.
4. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS Date Description Reference Nos. Amount
Payroll-Related Payments
05/01/26 Payroll Checks and Wires FY 2026 #22 $ 1,943,443.46 Total Payroll-Related Payments_$ 1,943,443.46
Payments to Vendors:
04/25/26-05/08/26 Wire Payments to Vendors 35-43 $ 5,101,357.61 04/25/26-05/08/26 Check Payments to Vendors 23012372-23012651 $ 4,401,569.94 Total Payments to Vendors $ 9,502,927.55
TOTAL PAYMENTS $11,446,371.01
Approved the general warrants and payroll disbursements.
5. MONTHLY TREASURER'S AND INVESTMENT REPORT (APRIL 2026) Received and filed the April 2026 report.
6. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
(a) Rejected Claim #26-13 filed by Emir Bezdrop;
(b) Rejected Claim #26-21 filed by The Greeters Corner; and (c) Rejected Claim #26-27 filed by Mehrdad Mohimani.
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Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
PUBLIC WORKS QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS LIST FOR CALIFORNIA UNIFORM PUBLIC
CONSTRUCTION COST ACCOUNTING ACT
(a) Received and filed the Qualified Contractors List;
(b) Found that the proposed actions are exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) and 15308. Or in the alternative that the proposed action is not a "project" under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
8. AWARD OF CONTRACTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS ON-CALL CONSULTANT SERVICES This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by a member of the public.
Public Testimony: Ann Christoph, Bryan Menne, and Merrill Anderson voiced concerns about the item.
Staff and Councilmembers responded to the public's comments.
Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0:
(a) Approve the selection of firms for the Public Works On-Call Consultant Team for professional consulting services;
(b) Authorize the City Manager to execute professional services agreements #26-125 through 26-188, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with selected On-Call Consultant Team firms for a three-year period;
(c) Authorize the City Manager to approve and execute project-specific task orders, on an as-needed basis, for individual projects with fees of $100,000 or less, with each task order treated as a separate authorization under the City's Purchasing Policy and Laguna Beach Municipal Code Chapter 2.30;
(d) Authorize staff to return to the City Council for approval of any individual task order exceeding $100,000;
(e) Find that the proposed actions are exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) and 15308. Or in the alternative that the proposed action is not a "project" under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378; and
(f) Direct staff to indicate in the June 23 proposed budget Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) list which projects staff has identified would be appropriate for separate RFPs and which would possibly be appropriate for Concept Review.
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
9. ANNUAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT INVENTORY REPORT (AB 481)
(a) Received and filed the attached report per the requirements of California Assembly Bill 481;
(b) Authorized the police department to conduct a public meeting in the City Council Chambers on June 17, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.; and
(c) Determined that the proposed action is not a "project" for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA").
10. APPROVE REVOCABLE NON-EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
GAS COMPANY FOR EXISTING FACILITIES OF DATA COLLECTOR UNITS ON CITY-OWNED
STREETLIGHTS
(a) Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute Revocable Non-Exclusive License Agreement #26-189 with Southern California Gas Company for the placement of Data Collector Units ("DCUs") on City-owned streetlights;
(b) Accepted the one-time payment of $10,136 and deposited it into the Street Lighting and Utility Fund (134); and
(c) Found that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 and 15061(b)(3), because the agreement authorizes the continued operation and maintenance of existing utility communication equipment attached to existing streetlight infrastructure with no expansion of existing use.
11. AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR ZONE 7 SIDEWALK/ CONCRETE REPAIRS (PROJECT C2423)
(a) Awarded and authorized the City Manager to execute contract #26-190 with Gentry General Engineering Inc., in the amount of $213,871.38 for the Zone 7 Sidewalk/Concrete Repairs Project;
(b) Authorized the City Manager to approve project-related expenses and construction change-orders for unforeseen circumstances in an amount not to exceed $32,000; (c) Approved the transfer of $71,209 from the CPY21 Zone 4 Street Concrete Rehabilitation Project to Project C2423 Zone 7 Sidewalk/Concrete Repairs Project; (d) Approved the transfer of $100,000 from Project C2610 - Annual Concrete Repairs to Project C2423 Zone 7 Sidewalk/Concrete Repairs Project; and (e) Found that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c). -5-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
12. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO DR. WILLIAM DODGE FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDICAL
DIRECTOR SERVICES
(a) Awarded and authorized the City Manager to execute two-year professional services agreement #26-191, with up to three one-year extensions, with Dr. William Dodge for Fire Department Medical Director services in an amount not to exceed $120,000; and (b) Determined that the proposed action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) because the action involves administrative activities that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
13. AWARD OF CONTRACT TO DONNA M. CLOE, RN FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES EDUCATOR AND CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT SERVICES (a) Awarded and authorized the City Manager to execute two-year professional services agreement #26-192, with up to three one-year extensions, with Donna M. Cloe, RN for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Educator and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) services in an amount not to exceed $175,000; and (b) Determined that the proposed action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) because the action involves administrative activities that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
14. AMENDMENT TO CITY COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
(a) Adopted Resolution #26.041 as corrected by the City Attorney, titled "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADDING POLICY 5.1 REGARDING LEAVES OF ABSENCE TO, AND AMENDING POLICIES 1.1 AND 1.3 RELATING TO CITY
COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR, THE CITY COUNCIL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL, RESCINDING ANY PREVIOUS CITY COUNCIL ACTION INCONSISTENT WITH POLICY 5.1,
AND FINDING SUCH ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY АСТ"; and
(b) Find that the recommended action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEOA") pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378 as the recommended action does not constitute a "project" for purpose of CEQA.
15. APPROVAL OF A COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH PRESIDIO NETWORK
SOLUTIONS AND AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE NETWORK EQUIPMENT FOR THE
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER PROJECT
This item was removed from the agenda.
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Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
16. APPROVAL OF COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA EDISON
(a) Approved and authorized the City Manager to execute Community Resource Center License Agreement #26-193 between the City of Laguna Beach and Southern California Edison Company for the use of designated City facilities during Public Safety Power Shutoff events and other public safety-related power outage incidents; and (b) Found that this action does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section 21065; 14 CCR Section 15378(b)(5)).
REGULAR BUSINESS
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17. PRESENTATION BY MISSION HOSPITAL LAGUNA BEACH
Presentation and Discussion: Seth Teigen, Mission Hospital Laguna Beach, gave a presentation and responded to Councilmembers' questions regarding the future of Mission Hospital Laguna Beach.
Public Testimony: Sharon James, Carissa Dale, Ron Giesman, Toni Iseman, Bryan Menne, Bob Cosgrove, Ann Christoph, Merrill Anderson, Aaron Peluso, Jerry Ruben, Pat Menne, Aimee Van Nieulande, and an unnamed member of the public expressed their views on the importance of maintaining an emergency room in Laguna Beach.
The City Council received and filed a presentation from Mission Hospital Laguna Beach regarding hospital operations, services, community programs, and other matters of interest to the Laguna Beach community.
18. VILLAGE GREEN PARK PLAYGROUND DESIGN
Presentation and Discussion: Staff gave a presentation and responded to Councilmembers' questions regarding the Village Green Park playground design.
Public Testimony: Ann Christoph, Pat Menne, Bryan Menne, Dante Masiel, Aaron Peluso, and Adam Redding-Kaufmann commented on the Village Green Park playground design.
Staff responded to Councilmembers' questions regarding ADA compliance.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Direct staff to repair play equipment in disrepair at the Village Green Park Playground; -7-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
(b) Appoint Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones and Councilmember Alex Rounaghi as an ad hoc committee to work with staff to determine ADA requirements for playground improvements that maintain the character and honor the history of the park, and provide recommendations at a future City Council meeting; and (c) Find the recommended action consistent with government activities, which do not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment and therefore does not 1 constitute a "Project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act.
19. WILDFIRE MITIGATION AND FIRE SAFETY REPORT 2025 UPDATE AND RELATED BUDGET
TRANSFERS
Presentation and Discussion: Staff gave a presentation and responded to Councilmembers' questions regarding the Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Report 2025 update.
Public Testimony: Aaron Peluso commented on the fuel modification zone around his home.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Receive and file the presentation on the status of the Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Report 2025 Update;
(b) Authorize a budget transfer of $190,000 from the Fire Department Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Ad Hoc Committee initiatives account (1412401-72071) and $30,000 from the Community Development Department Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Ad Hoc Committee initiatives account (1414106-72071-52605) to the Public Works Department Traffic Signal Priority System Project account (1413100-72071-S2601) for implementation of the Opticom System;
(c) Receive and file the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, thereby acknowledging the document as a guide for future wildfire mitigation planning, preparedness, and resilience efforts within the City; and
(d) Find that the recommended actions are not a project pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and are therefore not subject to CEQA.
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Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
PUBLIC HEARINGS - 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 AT 31565 EAGLE ROCK WAY IN THE VC (VILLAGE COMMUNITY) ZONE, SUBJECT TO IMPOSING A MORE RESTRICTIVE CONDITION OF
APPROVAL, AND CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (CLASS 3)
Presentation and Discussion: Staff gave a presentation regarding the appeal of Design Review Board's approval at 31565 Eagle Rock Way for a new single-family home.
Public Testimony in Support of the Appeal: Ken Snyder, appellant, stated that they were appealing the project based on the loss of ocean views and privacy. He suggested incorporating into the design a flat rather than pitched roof to allow for his ocean view.
Public Testimony in Opposition to the Appeal: Steve Kawaratani representing the applicant, commented that the DRB carefully reviewed the privacy and view concerns for this project and supported the design 5/0 to approve the design. He urged the City Council to deny the appeal.
Rebuttal: Denise Snyder, appellant, questioned height requirements of the proposed trees.
Staff responded to the appellant's comments and concerns regarding roof height and trees.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 5/0 to adopt Resolution #26.042 titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DENYING THE APPEAL AND
SUSTAINING THE DECISION OF THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD TO CONDITIONALLY APPROVE 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 AT 31565 EAGLE ROCK WAY IN THE VC (VILLAGE COMMUNITY
ZONE), SUBJECT TO IMPOSING MORE RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL, AND
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (CLASS 3)," with the added more restrictive conditions that two Eucalyptus trees be replaced with two Strawberry trees or Redbud trees, to be maintained at 15 feet in height, and that the upper-level flat roof of the structure be reduced in height by one foot, upholding the Design Review Board's conditional approval of Design Review 2025-0407 and Coastal Development Permit 2025-0408, and finding the Project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. -9-
Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
B. 399 PEARL STREET: PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 2025-1819 AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2025-1820 FOR AN
ADDITION TO AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE AND A NEW ATTACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT LOCATED IN THE R-1 (RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY) ZONE, AND
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 (CLASS 1)
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, seconded by Councilmember Bob Whalen, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Continue the public hearing to the July 28, 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 ITEMS)
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In accordance with Resolution #26.014, the City Council supported Councilmember Bob Whalen's request to have the Emergency Disaster/Preparedness Committee's resolution regarding wireless coverage added to a future City Council agenda for discussion.
The City Council also supported Councilmember Alex Rounaghi's request that a draft ordinance be placed on a future agenda for City Council consideration to prohibit the sale of kratom. ***********************
ADJOURNMENT
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There being no further business, Mayor Orgill at 10:00 p.m., Tuesday June 9, 2026, adjourned to the Study Session at 3:00 p.m., then to the City Council Closed Session at 4:00 p.m. and Regular City Council Meeting at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach California.
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Approved: June 23, 2026
Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk
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Laguna Beach City Council Minutes June 9, 2026
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. -11-
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
(GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54995)
EXCEPT OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
June 9, 2026
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The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Beach was held at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in the City Council Chambers, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California.
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PRESENT COUNCILMEMBERS: Kempf, Rounaghi, Whalen, Jones, Orgill PARTICIPATING REMOTELY: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ADJOURNMENT
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There being no further business, Mayor Orgill at 10:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2026, adjourned to the Study Session at 3:00 p.m., then to the Closed Session at 4:00 p.m. and the Regular Meeting at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California.
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ORANGE SS.
CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
1, Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk of the City of Laguna Beach, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of the Minute entry on record in my office. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and affix the official seal of the City of Laguna Beach, California, on this 10th day of June 2026.
HCORPORATES
City Clerk of the City of Laguna Beach California
YUNE 20.1920
THE COUNT CRISE
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING
NOTICE OF ADJOURNMENT
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1, Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk of the City of Laguna Beach, California, DO CERTIFY that at the Regular Meeting of the City Council held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, said meeting was ordered adjourned to the time and place specified in the notice of adjournment, ATTACHED HERETO; and that on June 10, 2026, at the hour of 3:15 p.m., a copy of the Notice was posted at a conspicuous place on or near the door of the place at which said meeting of the City Council was held.