THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024
The Facilities Master Plan Workshop will take place from 3:30 to 4:30 P.M. on Tuesday, October 22. The Regular Meeting of the City Council will begin 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.
Mayor Kempf Encourages Residents to Vote in the Upcoming Election
In this week's Fair Game podcast with Tom Johnson, Mayor Sue Kempf encourages residents to vote in the upcoming election. She also mentions ongoing efforts to streamline the Community Development process, making it easier for residents to navigate design review.
Key Dates for the Upcoming Election:
- October 21, 2024: Last day to register to vote for the general election.
- October 26, 2024: Vote Center at the Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Center (380 3rd Street) opens from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- November 2, 2024: Vote Center at Lang Park (21540 Wesley Drive) opens.
- November 5, 2024: Election Day
An official ballot drop box in Laguna Beach is at the Laguna Beach Library at 363 Glenneyre St. Ballots and can also be placed in the mail (no postage necessary).
For any questions regarding the November 5, 2024 General Election and/or voter registration, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (949) 497-0705.
Join Us for the City's Facilities Master Plan Workshop Next Tuesday, October 22
On Tuesday, October 22, the City will hold a public workshop to present an update on the Facilities Master Plan from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The regular City Council meeting will start at 5:00 p.m.
The Facilities Master Plan is designed to address long-term needs for public infrastructure, including public safety facilities, community and art facilities, parking lots and more throughout Laguna Beach.
Share Your Input on South Coast Highway Parking on October 24
The City of Laguna Beach's Parking, Traffic, and Circulation Committee will hold a public meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., to consider a request to demark parking spaces with painted brackets on both sides of South Coast Highway between Wesley Drive and the southerly City limits.
The actual installation of any parking brackets will depend on future approvals by the City Council and Caltrans. The public is invited to attend the meeting and to comment on the proposal. Written comments submitted before the meeting must be received no later than October 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Please send your comments via email to PTCCommittee@lagunabeachcity.net or via Postal Service. If you have any questions regarding this proposal, please contact the PTC Committee Liaison, Josh McDonald, Associate Civil Engineer at (949) 497-0728.
Making Design Review More Efficient: Community Workshop Proposals
At an October 1, 2024 community workshop, city staff and community members discussed the Community Development process, including city staff’s proposals to attempt to make the Design Review process more efficient - while still preserving Laguna Beach’s design review heritage. We also discussed ways to better protect historic structures.
We’ve prepared a cover memo that explains our proposed changes to Design Review, as well as a “redline” version of the proposed changes. These are attached. We welcome your review and comments on the proposed changes by Thursday, November 14, 2024. This is not your only time to offer your comments, though – the proposed changes will likely next go through a more detailed public process, including at the Design Review Board, the Planning Commission, and ultimately the City Council.
Thank you for your interest in helping improve our processes.
Please provide comments or feedback by clicking the button below.
Caltrans Paving Project on Coast Highway Continues Through Late November
Caltrans continues its pavement rehabilitation project on Coast Highway (SR-1) in Laguna Beach, from Ledroit Street to Ruby Street through late November. Night operations will begin around October 21 with lane closures in both directions for pavement grinding and asphalt overlay. At least one lane of traffic will be open in each direction during the closures. Drivers should expect traffic delays and noise disruptions during the project, which aims to enhance road safety and driving conditions.
For more information and updates, contact the District 12 Public Information Office via email at D12PIO@dot.ca.gov.
Upcoming Halloween-Themed Events in Laguna Beach 🎃
Capsized Boat Found Off Crescent Bay Beach
On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at approximately 5:59 a.m., Laguna Beach Police, Fire, and Marine Safety personnel responded to Crescent Bay Beach regarding a capsized boat.
Upon arrival, officers determined that the vessel had been abandoned and was capsized just outside the surf break. Nearby residential surveillance cameras led officers to believe this was a human smuggling event, given the discarded life vests and gasoline canisters in the area.
This investigation has been turned over to Customs and Border Protection and US Coast Guard.
Thank You for Attending Saturday's Fire Prevention Week Event at Fire Station 1!
Frequently Asked Questions for Fire Inspection Billing
Q: Why am I getting a bill and when did billing start?
A: You are billed for annual Fire Life/Safety Inspections required by California law to ensure community safety. These inspections cover multi-family dwellings, commercial properties, and common areas, but not individual units. Billing began after the Laguna Beach City Council adopted a fee schedule update on April 12, 2022, aimed at achieving 100% cost recovery for inspection services.
Q: How do I read my bill?
A: The bill includes charges for specific inspections like state-mandated inspections for hotels and schools, multi-dwelling and business inspections, and operational permits. Late penalties are also applied if payments are overdue.
Q: How can I pay the bill?
A: Payments can be made by mail (City of Laguna Beach c/o Fire Recovery USA, LLC P.O. Box 548 Roseville, CA 95678-0548), online through the Fire Recovery USA portal, or in person at City Hall (505 Forest Avenue).
Q: How do I know if an inspector is legitimate?
A: Inspectors wear official Fire Department uniforms and badges. You can verify their identity by calling the Fire Department at (949) 497-0700. Inspectors check for fire hazards in public areas like hallways, stairwells, and garages. They also ensure fire alarms and sprinkler systems are properly maintained.
Q: Who can I contact if I have questions?
A: Questions about the bill or payment should be directed to the Laguna Beach Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau at firemarshal@lagunabeachcity.net or (949) 497-0352. If you are having difficulty with the Fire Recovery USA portal, please contact inspections@firerecoveryusa.com or by phone at (888) 650-5320.
Laguna Beach Goats Reaching New Heights 🐐
The Laguna Beach goats will finish clearing vegetation at Ceanothus on Friday and will move near the Top of the World for two weeks. After that, they will head to Hidden Valley for final cleanup before leaving Laguna Beach.
Thank you to goat herder Agotllio Moreno and his team for their service this year helping reduce wildfire risk in Laguna Beach!
As a reminder, please do not come in contact or attempt to pet the goats.
Adopt Jerry and Tommy: Playful Kitten Duo Looking for a Home!
🎥 Call For Artists: 2025 Innovation Grants for Artists
The Artistic Innovation Grants for Artists encourages the spirit of experimentation and exploration, exclusively engaging artists in Laguna Beach. This grant program offers grants between $5,000 and $30,000 to support the art-making process and premiere of these endeavors.
Temporary Art Sculptures "Ocean Ions" Coming to Laguna Beach
From Thursday, November 7 to Sunday, November 10, 2024, temporary art sculptures titled "Ocean Ions" by Christian Sampson will be displayed on Main Beach and throughout Heisler Park as part of the Laguna Art Museum's 2024 Art in Nature public art project. The sculptures will be installed and removed daily.
On Saturday, November 9, 2024, on Main Beach the Voltive Collective Dance Company will perform as part of the exhibition from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sign Up to Volunteer!
Sign up to volunteer any time from November 7-11 and you will get a behind the scenes perspective of the outdoor art installation and the opportunity to help visitors interact with Christian Sampson's Ocean Ions. You'll also get a T-shirt designed by artist Christian Sampson himself. Sign up before it's too late!
Sign Up for Fall Recreation Classes!
Have a Great Weekend! 🎃
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.