Laguna beach city news City of Laguna Beach, California

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024
Tickets are SOLD OUT to attend the State of the City Mayor's Luncheon in person. Click HERE to watch the State of the City Mayor's Luncheon live on YouTube on April 2, 2024.

This Week's City Council Action:

City Council to Look Into Comprehensive Zoning Code Update

On Tuesday, the City Council directed City staff to proceed with issuing a request for proposal (RFP) for the comprehensive zoning code update and appointed Councilmembers Bob Whalen and Mark Orgill to collaborate with City staff and consultants on the comprehensive zoning code update effort. City staff will issue an RFP in April and return to the City Council in Summer 2024 with a recommendation to award a contract.

Solar Panel Assessment, Electrical Fleet Conversion, and CAAP Update

On Tuesday, the City Council approved several recommendations regarding solar panel assessment, electrical fleet conversion, and received an update on the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan status. The City Council's actions include seeking proposals to design and build microgrid resiliency systems and retaining a consultant to support electric vehicle fleet conversion.
Click HERE for More Information on the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan

City Council Seeks Proposals for Community Land Trust

The Artist Work/Live Ad Hoc Committee, formed by the City Council on April 4, 2023, is led by Mayor Pro Tern Rounaghi and Councilmember Orgill. The ad hoc committee's goal is to identify initiatives that seek to preserve the community’s artistic heritage. The ad hoc committee identified the Community Land Trust (CLT) model as the best funding option, with potential for long-term affordability. The City Council has requested a Request for Proposal to explore a Laguna Beach Community Land Trust and is working to eliminate discretionary hearing requirements for artist work/live occupancy. City Staff will also work with the arts community to identify creative space opportunities.

City Council Considers Possible Adjustment to 2024 Campaign Contribution Limitations

On Tuesday, the City Council voted to consider the current campaign contribution limit and determine whether the contribution limit for the 2024 election cycle should be adjusted to $520 based on the Consumer Price Index for Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim or if the campaign contribution should be increased or decreased from $520. The City Council directed the City Clerk to return to the City Council at a future meeting with an ordinance per the City Council's direction.

The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, April 9 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.
Click HERE for the City Council Tentative Agenda
The Week That Was (TW2) is an update on City business in previous weeks.
Click HERE for the "The Week That Was"

New Video Podcast: Stu New's Fair Game with Tom Johnson & Mayor Sue Kempf

In this week's Fair Game podcast with Tom Johnson, Mayor Sue Kempf talks about this year's campaign season, an update on the City's microgrid system, and looks forward to next week's State of the City Mayor's Luncheon.

City Council Members and Senator Min Join Community at Moulton Meadows Park Dog Play Area

On Tuesday, Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf, Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rounaghi, Councilmember Mark Orgill, and Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) joined the community at the Moulton Meadows Park Dog Play Area. Senator Min secured $300,000 in state funding for the Moulton Meadows Dog Play Area.

LBPD Captain Dereszynski Graduates from FBI National Academy

Click HERE to Read the Full Press Release
On Friday, March 23, 2024, Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert announced that Captain David Dereszynski has graduated as a member of the 289th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on March 15, 2024.

Captain Dereszynski is the eighth officer in Laguna Beach Police Department history to successfully complete this prestigious program. Nationally, less than one-percent of Police Officers have the opportunity to attend the program.

"Captain Dereszynski's successful completion of the FBI National Academy represents a significant milestone in his career and is a testament to his dedication to excellence in law enforcement,” said Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert. “We are immensely proud of his achievement and commend him for his commitment to professional development. We congratulate Captain Dereszynski on this well-deserved accomplishment and look forward to the valuable insights and skills he will bring back to the Laguna Beach Police Department."

The 289th session of the FBI National Academy consisted of 197 men and women from 47 states and the District of Columbia. The graduating class included members of law enforcement agencies from 23 countries, four military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations.

Congratulations, Captain Dereszynski!

LBPD Compete in Annual Baker To Vegas Relay Race

The Laguna Beach Police Department successfully fielded its 15th team participating in the annual Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup relay race over the weekend. Started in 1985 by two Los Angeles PD officers, the race has grown from 19 law enforcement teams and 400 participants to over 6000 runners from 278 teams in 2024. 20 runners from the Laguna Beach PD were supported by 11 volunteers over the 120-mile course, which started just outside Baker, California and worked its way over rural roads through the desert, ending at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas. The Laguna Beach team completed the run in 16 hours and 42 minutes, beating their previous best time by over an hour. Finishing in 6th place among departments with 150 or fewer officers allowed them to be “mugged” – provided with commemorative beer mugs signifying their top-tier position.

Public Safety Departments Participate in Tsunami Preparedness Week

As part of Tsunami Preparedness Week, members of the Marine Safety and Fire Department command staff participated in an annual Tsunami Communications exercise with local, county, and state partners. Get tsunami safe and danger zone maps at www.tsunamizone.org/knowyourzone.

Meet Nellie: The Sweetest Terrier Mix Looking for a Loving Home

Looking for a companion who can bring you joy?! Nellie is a eight-year-old spayed tri-color Terrier mix, who is very affectionate and would make a great lap dog! She is up for adoption at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter and is looking for a place to call home!

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!

2024 "Art That's Small at City Hall" Exhibition Now On Display

The 22nd annual Art That's Small at City Hall exhibition is on display now through April 18, 2024. View original artworks from 56 Orange County artists in the first-floor hallway gallery of Laguna Beach City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue. Admission is FREE and the exhibit open to the public during City business hours. The public is also invited to attend the awards reception on Thursday, April 4, at 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission is seeking an artist to create a temporary sculpture installation or stage-floor mural to be installed at the Stage on Forest, located at the corner of Forest Avenue and Glenneyre Street. Click HERE for more information and to apply online!
Laguna College of Art + Design is proud to present the 48th Annual COLOR IT ORANGE exhibition, showcasing a variety of original works from Orange County high school students. The goal is to inspire and encourage the next generation of artistic expression and to honor teachers by providing the opportunity to showcase works by their most talented students. The exhibition dates are from April 6 to April 23 and admission is FREE. For questions, contact Bryan Heggie, LCAD Gallery Manager at (949) 376-6000.

We Hope You Stay Warm This Weekend! 🌧️

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