THURSDAY, October 12, 2023
This Week's City Council Action:
Mission Hospital CEO to Provide Regular Updates Regarding Healthcare Services at Mission Hospital
City Council Appoints Mayor Whalen and Mayor Pro Tem Kempf to Pool Subcommittee
Discussion on Public Tree Removal Continued to October 24 Meeting
City Council Denies Appeal at 119 Sunset Terrace
The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, October 24 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.
October 24 Tentative Agenda
Mayor Bob Whalen Recaps This Week's City Council Meeting
In today's City Chats Podcast, Mayor Bob Whalen discusses this week's City Council meeting including the creation of an ad-hoc subcommittee to discuss pool options and joint pool use opportunities.
He also encourages residents to participate in the 4th annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Contest winning pumpkins will be displayed at the Promenade on October 30 through November 1.
68th Annual Laguna Beach Open Volleyball Tournament Starts Tomorrow! 🏐
The 68th Annual Laguna Open Volleyball Tournament at Main Beach is this weekend October 13 through 15. The tournament is co-hosted by the City of Laguna Beach in partnership with the AVP, the CBVA, and Laguna Beach locals. Play starts at 8:00 a.m. each day.
The Laguna Open is back on the main schedule of the AVP for the first time since 1991, and many of the top pro AVP and CBVA players will battle it out for $25,000 in prize money starting with Friday's qualifier and then Saturday and Sunday's main draw. The finals will be held Sunday starting at noon.
Community Development Secures $200,000 Competitive Grant to Support the Downtown Specific Plan
The City's Community Development Department is pleased to announce that the City of Laguna Beach has been awarded a $200,000 competitive grant from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) via its Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) to support the City's Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) update.
This project was identified by the City Council as a priority project and was included as part of the Community Development department’s Workplan for FY 2023-25.
- Phase I of the update to the DSP addressed business permitting and parking standards.
- Phase II will address housing regulations such as a density allowance, lot mergers, and increased building heights to allow for new dwelling units in the Downtown.
- Phase II requires a Local Coastal Plan (LCP) amendment. The update is expected to be considered by the City Council in December 2024.
The SCAG’s SCP provides resources and direct technical assistance to jurisdictions to complete local planning efforts to support goals such as housing and land use strategies. These grant funds will provide savings to the City’s general plan going towards consultant costs for the project.
Congratulations, Community Development!
Bicyclist Killed in Traffic Collision
On Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 6:53 p.m., Laguna Beach police and firefighters responded to Oak Street and Glenneyre Street for an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and an adult male bicyclist, carrying a small dog in the bicycle's front basket.
The collision occurred at the intersection of Oak Street and Glenneyre Street. The bicyclist sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local trauma center. While at the hospital, the bicyclist succumbed to his injuries and died. His identity is not being released at this time, pending next of kin notification by the Orange County Sheriff's Coroner Division.
The dog, a small terrier, was transported to a local animal hospital with minor injuries and is expected to survive. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor. This is an ongoing traffic collision investigation.
LBPD Raises Awareness in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
LBPD Participates in Second Annual "Love Laguna" Volunteer Day
Playful Pup "Trick" Continues His Search for a Forever Home! 🐶
Meet Trick, the one-year-old Lab-Shepard mix who is still looking for his forever family! 🐾 This playful and friendly pup is ready to bring joy, love, and endless adventures to your home. Don't miss out on a chance to make Trick a part of your family! Adopt him today at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter – your perfect companion awaits! ❤️🏡
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.
City of Laguna Beach Photo Contest Launches Tomorrow 📸
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.
Participate in the 4th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
The City's fourth annual Pumpkin Carving Contest is open to all who live, work, attend school, or exhibit in Laguna Beach. Pre-registration required by Thursday, October 26 at 5:00 p.m. All pumpkins must be carved at home and dropped off at the Community and Susi Q Center on Monday, October 30.
Contest-winning pumpkins will be displayed at the Promenade from October 30 - November 1, 2024. Awards will be given for: the most original, scariest, best overall, and Mayor’s Award. Pumpkins may be carved, painted, airbrushed or sculpted, should not exceed 15” high by 15” wide.
For more information, contact Garrett Rauch, Recreation Coordinator, at grauch@lagunabeachcity.net or (949) 464-6640.
Have you Taken Wonder-Fall Photos at the Promenade Yet? 🍁🎃
Have a Fantastic Weekend! 🍂
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.