Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap August 4, 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
Mayor Pro Tem Jones
ROLL CALL
Present: Kempf, Rounaghi, Jones, Orgill
Participating Remotely: Whalen
Absent: None
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
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Prior to convening into Closed Session, City Attorney Megan advised that the correct address for item 2(b) is 255 Woodland, not 250 Woodland (the APN listed on the agenda for the property is correct). Garibaldi City Attorney Megan Garibaldi reported that all Councilmembers were present (Councilmember Bob Whalen participated remotely as noted on the agenda), and there were no public comments prior to the City Council convening into the Closed Session. Garibaldi reported that there was no reportable action on the items discussed, and discussion on items 2(a) and 2(b) were continued to the September 22, 2026, Closed Session.
ADDITIONS and DELETIONS
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City Manager Dave Kiff advised that Presentation Item #2 was pulled from the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
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1. PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 2026 AS HUNGER ACTION MONTH IN LAGUNA BEACH
Adopted the Proclamation declaring September 2026 as Hunger Action Month in the City of Laguna Beach.
2. RECOGNITION OF BRADLEY BESHEAR FOR ACT OF BRAVERY
This item was removed from the agenda.
3. PRESENTATION FROM LAGUNA BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Received a presentation from the Laguna Beach Historical Society highlighting artist Joseph Kleitsch, who painted the largest concentration of canvases in the downtown area.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
RECAP
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
City Council Closed Session 3:15 p.m.
Regular City Council Meeting 5:00 p.m.
CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH
505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach City Council Meeting Recap August 4, 2026
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PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS (In-Person Participation) ********************************************************** Pamela Tanzian Broadman expressed disappointment in the selection of the water feature on the promenade.
Charlotte Maserick, Laguna Bluebelt Coalition, reminded everyone that the exhibition of the winning entries for the photo contest opens at the Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) Gallery with a public reception and celebration on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Mary Locatelli congratulated the Community Land Trust on its recent acquisition, and the Quilters for their contribution to the success of the acquisition. Locatelli suggested revising the City Council webpage to add the words that the five-member City Council is “elected at large to represent the residents” and is responsible for the legislative functions of the City.
Deborah Laughton commented on fire safety.
MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER **************************************************************** City Manager Dave Kiff explained how the promenade’s water feature was approved and upcoming opportunities for art pieces. Kiff also reported on the Pacific Edge hotel’s renovation, and reported updated Police Department enforcement statistics.
All Councilmembers commented on Saturday’s Hands Across the Sand Aquagrom event.
Councilmember Sue Kempf commented on the enforcement of canopies and reiterated her position that canopies should be prohibited outright. She also announced that the Arts Commission will soon have a call for local artists for a permanent art piece for the promenade for the City’s centennial.
Councilmember Kempf also announced the upcoming Laguna Open volleyball tournament in September.
Councilmember Alex Rounaghi reported that Chief Executive of Providence Mission Hospital Seth Tiegan will be speaking at the August 20 Hospital Task Force meeting, and he commented on the upcoming annual demolition derby.
Councilmember Bob Whalen reported on meeting with Southern California Edison representatives about several projects in Laguna Beach eligible for Edison’s targeted undergrounding.
Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones reported on various meetings with members of the public and events she attended. She also commended Pierre Sawaya and the rest of the Public Works team for the handling of the Woods Cove undergrounding project.
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 to approve items 1, 3 – 9, and 11 – 15.
4. MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Received and filed the minutes of the July 15, 2026, City Council Special Meeting, the minutes of the July 21, 2026, Joint City Council/Heritage Committee Study Session, and the minutes of the July 21, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting.
5. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND PAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS Approved the general warrants and payroll disbursements.
6. MONTHLY TREASURER’S AND INVESTMENT REPORT (JUNE 2026) Received and filed the June 2026 report.
7. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
Rejected Claim #26-34 filed by Matthew Jones.
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8. AWARD OF CONTRACTS FOR ON-CALL TEMPORARY STAFFING SERVICES CITYWIDE (a) Approved the selection of the five on-call temporary staffing firms to provide on-call temporary staffing services citywide;
(b) Authorized the City Manager to execute Professional Services Agreements #26-238, #26- 239, #26-240, #26-241, and #26-242, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with the selected On-Call temporary staffing firms Athena Consulting, HB Staffing, Temporary Staffing Professionals (TSP), HAN dba Staff Today, and LA Business Personnel, for an initial three-year term, with two optional one-year extensions, with contract authority of up to $250,000 per firm per fiscal year; and
(c) Found that the recommended actions are not a “project” pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 because the actions involve administrative and organizational activities that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
9. PLANNING DIVISION UPDATE AND WORKLOAD SUMMARY THROUGH JULY 27, 2026 Received and filed the Planning Division Update and Workload Summary, which covers the period from August 2024 through July 27, 2026.
10. ORANGE COUNTY POWER AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP EVALUATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by a member of the public, Harvey Liss.
Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Receive and file the Environmental Sustainability Committee's analysis regarding potential membership in the Orange County Power Authority (Attachment 1); (b) Accept the Environmental Sustainability Committee's recommendation to defer further evaluation of potential Orange County Power Authority membership at this time; (c) Direct staff and the Environmental Sustainability Committee to return to the City Council toward the end of 2027 with an updated assessment if conditions warrant further consideration; and
(d) Find that the recommended action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it consists solely of receiving the Environmental Sustainability Committee's report and providing policy direction regarding future evaluation of potential Orange County Power Authority membership.
11. HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE 2026-2028 WORK PLAN Authorized the Housing and Human Services Committee to proceed with its 2026-2028 Work Plan.
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12. AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH GENASYS, INC. FOR OUTDOOR
WARNING SYSTEM REPAIRS AND EXPANSION
(a) Authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 26-116 with Genasys Inc., increasing the agreement amount by $317,515 for the installation of two additional outdoor warning speaker sites and repairs and maintenance of the existing Outdoor Warning System, for a total agreement amount not to exceed $699,853; (b) Authorized the City Manager to expend up to $50,000, included within the total compensation authorized under Amendment No. 2 and the total agreement amount of $699,853, for repairs, replacement components, and maintenance of the existing Outdoor Warning System, in accordance with the City's purchasing authority and subject to available appropriations; and
(c) Determined that the proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it consists of administrative activities that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and, to the extent the installation of additional outdoor warning speaker sites constitutes a project, determine that the work is exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), as applicable.
13. SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH LAGUNA CANYON FOUNDATION TO EVALUATE ENROLLMENT OF CITY’S OPEN SPACE INTO THE NCCP/HCP NATURE RESERVE OF ORANGE COUNTY (a) Authorized the City Manager to execute Professional Services Agreement #26-243 with Laguna Canyon Foundation in an amount not to exceed $19,000 to evaluate the potential enrollment of selected City owned open space lands into the Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) Nature Reserve of Orange County;
(b) Determined this procurement qualifies for the “no competitive advantage” is City Council Policy No. 4.2;
(c) Appropriated $19,000 from the City’s Open Space Fund (1141781-55036) for this project; and
(d) Found that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 (Information Collection), as the agreement authorizes the collection of information and preparation of technical analyses to evaluate potential enrollment of selected City owned open space lands into the Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan Nature Reserve of Orange County and does not authorize any physical change to the environment.
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14. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING STATEWIDE ACTION TO REDUCE MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INTENTIONALLY ADDED MICROPLASTICS AND MICROFIBERS (ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE)
Adopted Resolution #26.063 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING STATEWIDE ACTION TO
REDUCE MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INTENTIONALLY ADDED MICROPLASTICS AND MICROFIBERS.”
15. GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS OF EASEMENTS FOR 1550 AND 1560 BLUEBIRD CANYON DRIVE
(a) Accepted three easements for firefighter access at 1550 and 1560 Bluebird Canyon Drive and authorized the City Manager to execute the easements, in a form approved by the City Attorney, and authorized the City Clerk to record the easements on behalf of the City; and (b) Found that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Section 15303 of the State CEQA Guidelines or, in the alternative, is not a project within the meaning of CEQA under Section 15061 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
16. DEDICATION OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER AS THE MATT
LAWSON EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Sue Kempf.
Moved by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Councilmember Bob Whalen, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Approve the naming and dedication of the City of Laguna Beach Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as the “Matt Lawson Emergency Operations Center”; (b) Adopted Resolution #26.064 titled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH DEDICATING THE CITY'S EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER AS THE "MATT LAWSON EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER,” as revised by the City Council; and (c) Find that the proposed action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it is an organizational and administrative activity that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change to the environment.
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17. SOLE SOURCE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CROSSBEAM AI FOR A 12-MONTH
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PILOT PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Sue Kempf.
Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Authorize the City Manager to execute sole source Professional Services Agreement #26- 244 with CrossBeam AI, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for a twelve-month pilot program to develop and implement artificial intelligence tools that support permit application screening, building and zoning plan review, customer service, and related Community Development Department operations, in an amount not to exceed $100,000; and
(b) Find that the recommended action is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(3).
18. SUPPORT FOR EXPANSION OF COUNTY OPERATED TRIAL HERBICIDE FREE VEGETATION
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN FLOOD CHANNEL WATERWAYS TO INCLUDE ALISO CREEK This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by a member of the public, Nick Aronoff.
Moved by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Mayor Mark Orgill, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Support expanding the County's trial vegetation management pilot program to include Aliso Creek, and explore adding Laguna Canyon Creek, and authorize the Mayor and Councilmember Rounaghi to communicate the City's position before the Orange County Board of Supervisors through correspondence, public testimony, and discussions with County officials, as appropriate; and
(b) Determine that the proposed action is not a project pursuant to Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and therefore no further environmental review is required.
19. REPLACE THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH’S ALTERNATE BOARD MEMBER OF THE SOUTH ORANGE
COUNTY WASTEWATER AUTHORITY
This item was pulled from the Consent Calendar by Councilmember Bob Whalen.
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 5/0 to appoint Councilmember Alex Rounaghi to serve as an alternate Board member of the South Orange County Wastewater Authority for the City of Laguna Beach, in addition to existing alternate Board member Director of Administrative Services Michelle Bannigan.
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REGULAR BUSINESS
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20. ADOPTION OF OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR SINGLE- AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT
Moved by Councilmember Bob Whalen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Adopt Resolution #26.065 titled, “ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR SINGLE- AND
TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 25.13 (OBJECTIVE DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN STANDARDS
FOR NEW PRIMARY DWELLING UNITS), AND FINDING SAID ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301”, adopting objective design standards for single- and two-family residential development, and finding the action categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; and;
(b) Find the recommended action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
21. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR FLEET ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING IMPLEMENTATION Moved by Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to continue the item to the September 22, 2026, City Council meeting, directing staff to provide an analysis of cost of implementation compared to current costs, alternatives for more cost effectiveness, and potential hybrid public use options.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – NON-APPEALS
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22. EXTENSION OF INTERIM LAND USE ORDINANCE/URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 1732 REGARDING
DESIGN REVIEW EFFICIENCY
Moved by Councilmember Sue Kempf, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Adopt Urgency Ordinance #1733 titled, AN INTERIM ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH EXTENDING URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 1732 AMENDING ITS LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AND MUNICIPAL CODE TO MODIFY TITLE 25 (ZONING), TITLE 21 (SUBDIVISIONS), AND TITLE 22 (EXCAVATING, GRADING, AND FILLING) TO STREAMLINE THE DESIGN REVIEW AND OTHER PERMIT PROCESSES; AND FINDING SAID ACTION EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301,” extending Urgency Ordinance No. 1732 for 22 months and 15 days; (b) Adopt a report describing the measures to alleviate conditions that led to the adoption of Urgency Ordinance No. 1732 (the “10-Day Report”); and
(c) Find that the recommended actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 1530.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS – APPEALS
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A. 31552 EAGLE ROCK WAY: PUBLIC HEARING FOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 2026-0922 FOR ADDITIONS (424 SQUARE FEET) INCLUDING 172 SQUARE FEET AT THE UPPER LEVEL, LANDSCAPING, NEW WINDOW AND DOOR
OPENINGS, TO CREATE NEW ON-SITE VEHICULAR ACCESS, AND TO EXCEED THE ALLOWABLE BUILDING SITE COVERAGE AND FLOOR AREA, AND VARIANCE 2026-0923 FOR FRONT AND SIDE
YARD SETBACK ENCROACHMENTS AND TO NOT PROVIDE THE SECOND REQUIRED COVERED PARKING SPACE AT 31552 EAGLE ROCK WAY IN THE VILLAGE COMMUNITY ZONE, AND
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 AND 15305 (CLASS 1 AND 5)
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, seconded by Mayor Mark Orgill, and carried unanimously 5/0 to:
(a) Open the public hearing, take public testimony, and continue the public hearing to the September 22, 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. 31985 AND 31987 COAST HIGHWAY: PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPEAL OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW 2026-0024, COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT 2026-0025, AND VARIANCE 2026-0026, FOR DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURES AND CONSTRUCTION
OF A NEW SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH A TWO-CAR GARAGE AND OTHER RELATED IMPROVEMENTS AT 31985 AND 31987 COAST HIGHWAY IN THE R-1 ZONE, AND CATEGORICAL
EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT GUIDELINES SECTION 15303 (CLASS 3)
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones, seconded by Councilmember Sue Kempf, and carried unanimously 5/0 to direct staff to revise the draft Resolution for City Council approval at the September 22, 2026, meeting, denying the appeal and sustaining the Design Review Board’s approval, subject to imposing more restrictive conditions of approval, lowering the roof structure by one foot, and incorporating Councilmember Bob Whalen’s revisions.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS (Remote Participation) ******************************************************** Ruben Flores reported streetlights that are out and noted that the streetlights on Glenneyre Street are not shielded, causing glare. He also noted the strip lighting being used in stores circumventing the City prohibition on neon lighting. Flores also commented that the promenade water fountain sculpture is an appropriate piece for the location. Flores also requested removal of the meters that have been bagged for compliance with the State daylighting law, and requested information on what is being done to save the pine tree at the Festival of Arts.
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COUNCILMEMBER ITEM(S)
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In response to Councilmember Sue Kempf’s request for a policy on use of the promenade, City Manager Dave Kiff advised that staff will be presenting an item at the September 22, 2026, City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT AT 10:11 P.M., TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2026,
TO THE CLOSED SESSION AT 4:00 P.M. AND REGULAR MEETING AT 5:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2026