STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
September 22, 2026
CONSENT
CALENDAR
15 SUBJECT: REPLACE THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH’S ENGINEERING COMMITTEE
REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY WASTEWATER
AUTHORITY
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Appoint Acting Director of Public Works & Utilities, Thomas Perez, to serve as the Engineering Committee Representative for the South Orange County Wastewater Authority for the City of Laguna Beach.
2. Determine that the proposed action does not constitute a “project” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
The City of Laguna Beach appoints a technical employee of the City to act as representative on the South Orange County Wastewater Authority (“SOCWA”) Engineering Committee. Presently, former Director of Public Works & Utilities, Mark McAvoy is the City of Laguna Beach representative. City staff recommend that the City Council replace Mr. McAvoy with Acting Director of Public Works & Utilities, Thomas Perez as the Engineering Committee representative for the City of Laguna Beach.
SOCWA’s Engineering Committee is an advisory panel formed by the Board of Directors to coordinate, advise, and oversee engineering and technical matters. The Board includes Councilmember Whalen, with Councilmember Rounaghi serving as his alternate. The Engineering Committee is comprised of technical employees from SOCWA member agencies and receives support from SOCWA staff. Its primary duties include conducting an annual review of SOCWA’s capital budgets and assisting staff with the development, review, analysis, and planning of technical, engineering, and capital projects. .
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action will have no financial impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action consists of organizational or administrative activities of the City that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment and therefore 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).).
Submitted By: . Approved: .David A Kiff
Thomas Perez, Acting Director of
Public Works & Utilities
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
REPLACE THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH’S ENGINEERING COMMITTEE
REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY WASTEWATER AUTHORITY September 22, 2026
Thomas Perez, Acting Director of Public Works
& Utilities