Laguna Beach City news City of Laguna Beach, California

(Cover Photo by John Manzoni)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023

Laguna Beach City Manager Announces Retirement

Laguna Beach City Manager Shohreh Dupuis has announced she will retire from the City, effective September 1, 2023, following a more than 33-year career in local government. Dupuis was appointed City Manager in June 2021 after serving as Assistant City Manager for five years.

Her decision comes as a result of a mutually agreed-upon separation agreement that was negotiated in response to a hostile workplace claim filed by Dupuis following a period of conflict with a City Councilmember. The agreement allows the City to resolve all claims without costly and time-consuming litigation and represents responsible stewardship of public funds.

Assistant City Manager Gavin Curran will serve as Acting City Manager while the City Council determines its long-term plan to fill the City Manager position.

Mayor Bob Whalen praised Dupuis for her contributions to the City. “Shohreh played a key role for our City during the COVID-19 pandemic and has helped deliver on wildfire safety, transportation and mobility programs, key property acquisitions and other important City Council priorities,” said Whalen. “We appreciate her dedication through some very challenging times and wish her well as she enters the next phase of her life.”

Under terms of an agreement between Dupuis and the City Council, the City will pay Dupuis nine months of severance pay and $223,077 in settlement of all claims against the City. Her City health insurance will remain unchanged for nine months and she will receive a reimbursement of legal costs up to $10,000. The agreement also stipulates that Dupuis will be on paid leave through September 1, 2023.

Click HERE to Read Separation Agreement and General Release

“This agreement represents the best path forward as we address the many issues facing our community,” said Whalen. “By following this course of action, we limit the potential legal and financial exposure to the City and can move forward with finding a new City Manager and prioritizing the public’s business.”

The City Manager position is appointed by the City Council and manages the day-to-day administration of city operations and implementation of City Council policy direction.

Mayor Whalen Discusses City Manager Retirement in This Week's Podcast

In this week's City Chats podcast, Mayor Whalen discusses the retirement of the City Manager, and recaps this week's City Council action.

Click HERE to Listen to Today's Podcast on Any Device!

Click HERE to Listen to Today's Podcast on Spotify!

CLICK HERE to Sign Up for City Email Updates & Announcements!

This Week's City Council Action:

City Council Recognizes Local Boy Scout Mason Bruderer on Achieving Highest Eagle Scout Rank

On Tuesday, the City Council recognizes Mason Bruderer, Local Boy Scout of America, on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Mason Bruderer received the well-deserved acknowledgement for his exceptional fundraising efforts and construction of a bench in the newly designated dog play area at Moulton Meadows Park. He also graciously donated $585.04 of his remaining unused project funds to the City to support the Moulton Meadows Dog Play area. Congratulations, Mason!

City Council Recognizes Phil Kohn for Remarkable Service As City Attorney for 41 Years

On Tuesday, the City Council recognized Philip D. Kohn for his remarkable service and dedication as Laguna Beach's City Attorney for 41 years. Mr. Kohn was appointed City Attorney for the City of Laguna Beach in October 1982 and will serve until September 2023. He has worked with over 20 City Councils, and interacted with over 100 Council Members, participating in over 950 City Council meetings, totaling more than 5,000 hours. Congratulations on retirement, Phil!

Joint City Council and Planning Commission Meeting

On Tuesday, the City Council and the Planning Commission held a joint meeting. The Planning Commission appointed Planning Commissioners Steven Kellenberg and Susan Whitin to a subcommittee to work with the design firm on the refinement of the final design for the Forest Plaza and Promenade Project. Housing/affordable housing revisions requested by the Planning Commission will be provided to the Planning Commission for review and approval and will go to the City Council at a future meeting.

City Council Appropriates Funding To Purchase the South Laguna Community Garden Park

On Tuesday, the City Council appropriated $500,000 from the Open Space Fund toward the purchase of the South Laguna Community Garden Park and authorized the City Manager to negotiate an appropriate agreement with the South Laguna Community Garden Park organization relating to the City's contribution to the purchase.

City Council Approves Contract for Village Entrance Parking Structure Concepts & Designs

On Tuesday, the City Council approved a contract with DLR Group for professional conceptual and design services for the Village Entrance Parking Structure; however, the City Council directed staff to coordinate with the Facilities Master Plan subcommittee and DLR Group in Fall 2023 and return to the City Council with amendments to the contract, if necessary, to ensure the Village Entrance parking structure concept plans are compatible with the future Facilities Master Plan.

City Council Approves Communications Enhancements

On Tuesday, the City Council directed City staff to proceed with adding short-term and medium-term opportunities for enhancing the City's communications with the goal of implementing these enhancements in the next 24 months. Short-term actions include enhancing the City's website with a new "Frequently Asked Questions" button on the homepage and creating a new Mayor's email Newsletter. Medium-term action items include providing streaming of web-streamed public meetings to YouTube, improving search engine ranking and relevance of the City's website, and enhancing public communications with a new quarterly postcard mailer highlighting upcoming events.

Three New Pickleball Courts Coming to Alta Laguna Park

On Tuesday, the City Council directed City staff to convert one tennis court at Alta Laguna Park into three dedicated pickleball courts.

City Council Adopts Resolution in Support of Solutions for Relocation of Spent Fuel at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station

On Tuesday, the City Council adopted a resolution supporting the Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition and its effort to relocate the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station to a federally licensed off-site facility.

The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, September 26 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.

September 26 Tentative Agenda

Click HERE for the City Council Tentative Agenda

Emergency Operations Center Keeps City Safe During Tropical Storm Hilary 🌧️ 🍃

📷: Some Photos Courtesy of Mary Hurlbut

On Sunday, the City of Laguna Beach activated its Emergency Operations Center in preparation of Tropical Storm Hilary. All of our City departments played a big role in keeping our City safe and operating during the storm. Shout out to Pubilc Works for keeping our City streets and storm drains clear of wind-blown vegetation and debris.

LBPD Holds Badge Pinning & Awards Ceremony 🚔

Last week, the Laguna Beach Police Department held a Badge Pinning Ceremony for two lateral police officers, Officers Sean Kenney and Victor Centeno, a new police officer Joaquin Parrino, and Park Ranger Rebecca De La Torre. Mike Short was also recognized for his well-deserved promotion to Sergeant.

The Laguna Beach Police Department also announced the recipients of the 2022 Officer and Professional Staff Member of the Year awards: Officer James Michaud (left) and Mariann Tracy (right). Thank you for your exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication!

Congratulations and Well-Deserved! ✨

The City's goat herds are almost finished munching on vegetation for the year! One of the City's goat herds finished clearing the area behind Nestall Road and has been moved out of the City. The remaining two goat herds will be located behind Hidden Valley Canyon Road and the area behind Hortense Miller Garden and are expected to be finished at the beginning of September.

As a reminder please do not try to pet or come in contact with the goats.

Juried Fine Art Exhibition Submissions Due Saturday ⏰

Deadline: SATURDAY, August 27, 2023

1st: $1,200 | 2nd: $600 | 3rd: $300

The Arts Commission invites artists to apply for the annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition. Selected works will be displayed at Laguna Beach City Hall from September 25 to November 16. This exhibition is open to residents of Orange County, ages 18 or older.

Click HERE for More Information and to Apply Online!

Dennis Carrie, Ocean Study 2 (2022 Juried Fine Art)

Season Finale of Music in the Park at Bluebird Park This Sunday! 🎶

Wild Child will perform on Sunday, August 27 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bluebird Park to conclude the 40th annual Music in the Park series!

This Week's Live Music at the Promenade:

Friday at 5:30 PM: Giovanni Simone
Saturday at 5:30 PM: Felisha Dunne
Sunday at 5:00 PM: Adam Lasher

Sparky is Looking for a New Home 🐶

Sparky is a three-year-old black neutered male Border Collie mix, who is up for adoption at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. He is extremely active and would work well in households that have runners. In addition to being active, Sparky is very smart and is a fast learner.

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.

Click HERE for More Information on Adoption Procedures!

Have a Fantastic Weekend! ☀️

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

Have a Question? Click HERE to Contact the City of Laguna Beach!