MINUTES
LAGUNA BEACH CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
July 15, 2026
A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Beach was called to order on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., in the City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, California, Mayor Orgill presiding.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Kempf, Whalen, Jones, Orgill
PARTICIPATING REMOTELY: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Rounaghi
Councilmember Bob Whalen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT CALENDAR
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Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 4/0 to approve Consent Item #1.
1. CALLING OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO ELECT MUNICIPAL OFFICERS, AND
REQUESTING CONSOLIDATION OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026 (a) Adopted Resolution #26.054 titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, CALLING FOR THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026, FOR THE
ELECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS, AS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RELATING TO GENERAL LAW CITIES," calling and giving notice of the election to elect three members of the City Council, each for the full term of four years; and
(b) Adopted Resolution #26.055 titled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE
COUNTY OF ORANGE TO CONSOLIDATE A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026, WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THAT DATE, PURSUANT TO §10403 OF THE CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE," which administratively consolidates the municipal election with the statewide General Election."
Laguna Beach City Council Special Meeting Minutes July 15, 2026
REGULAR BUSINESS
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2. CONSIDERATION OF A FUNDING COMMITMENT FOR A 29-UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT WITH A 41-PARKING STALL GARAGE AT 340 ST. ANN'S DRIVE IN THE CITY OF
LAGUNA BEACH
Presentation and Discussion: Staff gave a presentation summarizing the project and request.
Public Testimony: Jennifer Zieter spoke in opposition of the proposed funding.
Michelle McCormick, Susan Bond, Cody Engle, unnamed, Elizabeth Hansberg (People for Housing OC), Lisa Stippovich, Kristine Thalman (Laguna Beach Community Land Trust), Ketta Brown, Andrea (Pacific Edge hotel employee), Adam Redding-Kaufman, Elizabeth McGhee, Jacquie Schaefgen, Julie Hall (Vista Aliso), Barbara McMurray, and Jeff Amos spoke in support.
Ann Christoph expressed disappointment that the applicant would not agree to having structures on the property registered as historic resources, though she did support the project.
John Thomas and City Treasurer Laura Parisi expressed concerns related to the funding.
Pastor Rod Echols and Maya Dunne, Neighborhood Congregational Church, responded to Councilmember questions regarding maintaining the existing structures.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 4/0 to:
(a) Adopt Resolution #26.056 authorizing the Mayor to execute the revised conditional funding commitment in substantially the form attached to the resolution, as presented by staff during the meeting, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; (b) Authorize the Assistant City Manager, or designee, and City Attorney to negotiate the loan documents and regulatory documents consistent with the terms of the funding commitment, with all final agreements subject to City Council approval; and (c) Find that no further environmental review is required under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15162.
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Laguna Beach City Council Special Meeting Minutes July 15, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
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There being no further business, Mayor Orgill at 5:38 p.m., Wednesday, July 15, 2026, adjourned to the Closed Session at 4:00 p.m. and Regular City Council Meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach California. ****************
Approved: August 4, 2026
Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk
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. -3-