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Laguna Beach City news City of Laguna Beach, California

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023
City Hall will be closed tomorrow, Friday, November 10, 2023, in observance of Veterans Day. Residential street sweeping will be suspended starting Friday, November 10th and will resume Monday, November 13th.

This Week's City Council Action:

City Council Extends Outdoor Dining & Parklet Program Until 2026

On Tuesday, the City Council adopted a resolution extending the Outdoor Dining and Parklet Program until January 1, 2026. The City's Outdoor Dining and Parklet Program helps businesses utilize private and public parking spaces for outdoor dining. Since the program's inception in May 2020, over 30 businesses have participated. The City Council also directed the Planning Commission to review the number of parking spaces used by Las Brisas for outdoor dining.

City Council Grants Appeal at 1587 Atlantic Way

On Tuesday, the City Council granted the appeal at 1587 Atlantic Way and directed staff to revise the resolution that sets forth the findings to modify the doors, windows, and elevated deck. The revised resolution will return for approval at a future City Council meeting.

The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, November 21 at 5:00 P.M.

The "Tentative Agenda" is strictly tentative and there is no guarantee that items listed will be agendized as scheduled due to changing priorities, new information, staff workloads, and other unforeseeable events.

November 21 Tentative Agenda

The Week That Was (TW2) is an update on City business in previous weeks.

Mayor Whalen Recaps This Week's City Council Action in Today's Podcast

Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen

In Today's Podcast, Mayor Bob Whalen recaps this week's City Council meeting, and looks ahead to Veteran's Day weekend events.

Utility Underground Assessment Deferment Loan Program

With the upcoming Woods Cove Assessment District vote scheduled for December 12, the City has received a lot of interest in the Utility Underground Assessment Deferment Loan Program. Proposed revisions to the loan program are scheduled to be presented to the City Council on November 21.

The proposed revisions include lowering the age limit requirement and raising the income qualifications. The revisions are intended to make the program available to a greater number of residents. The draft agenda report for this item is now posted on the City website and can be accessed by clicking HERE.

Additional information regarding the Woods Cove Undergrounding can be found on the City Website by clicking HERE .

Questions regarding the loan program can be addressed to Project Manager, Pierre Sawaya at psawaya@lagunabeachcity.net or 949-497-0751.

Veterans Day Ceremony is Saturday Morning at Monument Point

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5868 and American Legion Post 222 will proudly celebrate Veterans Day and the 77th Anniversary of VFW Post 5868 at Heisler Park Monument Point on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. sharp. Musical prelude starts at 10:45 a.m. The public is invited. Seating is limited.

LBPD Launches New “Pets for Vets” Animal Adoption Program for Veterans

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is pleased to announce the launch of a ‘Pets for Vets’ Animal Adoption Program just ahead of Veteran’s Day. The program provides that any active duty, honorably discharged, or retired Veteran in Orange County is eligible for no-fee pet adoptions at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, if they qualify and are approved to adopt a pet.
"Sparky" the Border Collie mix is Looking for his Forever Home!!
"The residents of Laguna Beach appreciate the sacrifice our Veterans made for this great country and Pets for Vets is a creative program to show our gratitude for their service and sacrifice," said Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert. "Our goal is to pair an animal with Veterans across Orange County to provide companionship and help ease the transition back into civilian life."

Under the program, all pet adoption fees at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter are waived for any active duty, retired, or honorably discharged member of the United States armed services, as well as reservists and members of the California National Guard residing in Orange County.

In addition to the California VETERAN Driver’s License, the Animal Shelter will accept a valid military ID, DD214 or VA Medical Card as sufficient proof of veteran status. Military spouses and family members living in the same household with the veteran are also eligible for the program.
“As a Veteran, I love seeing our Police Department recognize our local Veterans and thank them through great programs, such as the new ‘Pets for Vets’ program,” said Laguna Beach Police Captain David Dereszynski. “This program will help low-income Veterans adopt a pet for no charge, connect Veterans to animals in need of a forever home, and further highlight the efforts of the staff and volunteers at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. I hope more shelters adopt programs such as ours. For all the Veterans out there, we thank you for your service!”

All shelter animals are eligible for adoption under the Pets for Vets program. For questions on the new program, please call the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter at (949) 497-3552.

Police Department Welcomes New Officer and New Park Ranger

Earlier today, the Laguna Beach Police Department held a swearing-in ceremony to welcome new Police Officer Brendan Rowland and Park Ranger Jaeger Zenk!

Welcome to the Team!

Laguna Beach Firefighters Return from Fighting Highland Fire in Riverside County

Earlier this week, Laguna Beach Officer of Emergency Services (OES) 1314 returned after being deployed to mitigate the Highland Fire in Riverside County. The Highland Fire is at 100% containment and burned 2,487 acres.

A big shoutout to our OES 1314 crew: Fire captain Danny Kalscheuer, Firefighter Brad Schlicting, and Firefighter Forrestt Lazicki.

Thank You for Your Service LBFD!

Fire Department Celebrates Promotions and Welcomes New Team Members to Serve You

On Wednesday, November 8, our Laguna Beach Fire Department congratulated recent promotions and new hires joining the LPFD Team.

Congratulations to Captains Danny Kalscheuer, Dave Lopez, and Zack DeJohn, Engineers Forrestt Lazicki, Grant Brady, and Nick Diamond, and Firefighters Aaron Payne, Logan Strook, Scott Saunders, Travis Wilson, William Senecal, Grant Dyer, Joe Godoy, and Tyler Jones!

Congratulations!

Applications Now Open for Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard Testing & Academy!

The Marine Safety Department is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2023/2024 Seasonal Ocean Lifeguard Testing and Academy! Candidates must successfully pass a mandatory swim test at the Main Beach Lifeguard Tower.

Testing will occur on Saturday, November 25, 2023. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, November 23 at 5:00 p.m. to participate.

Shane is Still Looking for a Fur-Ever Home 🐈

Meet Shane, a playful 3-year-old neutered male long-haired cat, seeking a warm and nurturing home. Not only is Shane is a playful companion, he also gets along with other cats. ✨

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter adoption procedures are designed to make sure that both the potential family and the animal adopted are in the very best situation possible. The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. For any questions, please call (949) 497-3552.
The City in partnership with the Sawdust Festival will be providing a free seasonal trolley service from a free parking lot in Irvine (16355 Laguna Canyon Rd) to the Sawdust Festival and downtown Laguna Beach during the Winter Fantasy event. The City will operate this free trolley service on Saturdays and Sundays, from November 18 through December 17 and one Friday, November 24. Trolley service will operate every 30 minutes in both directions on the following days: Friday, November 24, 2023: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays/Sundays: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Winners of the Juried Fine Art Exhibit Announced

The City of Laguna Beach annual Juried Fine Art exhibition is on display at Laguna Beach City Hall through November 16, 2023. View 29 works by Orange County artists. Congratulations to Mika Denny and her drawing "Ella the Fierce" for placing first in the Juried Fine Art exhibit!

Award Winners:

  1. Ella the Fierce by Mika Denny
  2. The Age of Innocence by Xiaxue Walker
  3. Windsong by Patrick Whelan

Honorable Mentions

  1. Color Study 8 by Amy Hammond
  2. Good Habits by Ellen Rose
The exhibition is free to view and open to the public during City Hall business hours. We are pleased to have Laguna Beach Arts Alliance 2023 Artist of the Year Gerard Basil Stripling as our juror for this exhibit.
The City of Laguna Beach Children’s Holiday Palette Exhibition is a project of the Arts Commission open to children ages 5 to 17. Original designs, celebrating the holiday season, must be painted and / or drawn on paper, attached is a template representing the palette shape. Click HERE for more information and how to apply online! The deadline to submit your palette design is November 20, 2023.

Last Chance to Submit a Photo in the City of Laguna Beach Photo Contest 📸

The City of Laguna Beach has launched the 2023 City Photo Contest! The City’s photo contest is open to those who live, work, or exhibit in Laguna Beach. Entries are due November 13, 2023.

This year’s photo contest theme is “Through the Lens of Laguna Beach!” We encourage images that depict the vibrancy, vitality, and livability of our City. We also encourage you to submit images with people in them, either from afar or close up.

First prize photos in each category will receive $500. Additional winners will receive $100 each. All winners will receive recognition at a City Council Meeting, be featured on the City’s social media channels, and will be posted in a gallery on the City’s website. The winners will be selected by a local professional photographer.

Join Us This Weekend for Live Music at the Promenade 🎶

  • Friday at 5:30 PM: Felisha Dunne
  • Saturday at 5:30 PM: Adam Lasher
  • Sunday at 5:00 PM: Jodie Siegel

Have a Fantastic Weekend! 🍁

Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.