THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2024
Laguna Beach City Council Sets New Course to Emphasize Stewardship
City Council Approves the Formation of a Laguna Beach Stewardship and Visitor Impact Ad Hoc Committee
To begin a shift in the way that some visitors have chosen to treat the community, beach, and ocean environment in Laguna Beach, the Laguna Beach City Council moved on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 to create a Laguna Beach Stewardship and Visitor Impact Committee.
The group, proposed by Councilmember Mark Orgill (who will co-helm with Mayor Sue Kempf), will collaborate with key stakeholders and the greater Laguna Beach community to develop a detailed Local Stewardship Action Plan. The Action Plan, to be developed over the coming several months, has a goal of preserving and protecting Laguna Beach’s unique environment, cultural, and heritage resources.
“But it’s not all about telling people ‘no’,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf. “It’s also about building an understanding that Laguna Beach is a special place worthy of their care and protection - so that the same quality beaches, ocean, culture, and heritage is here for their next visit, or visits by their kids and grandkids in the long-term. As residents, we know we live in a unique place - we want visitors to be able to appreciate it and take care of it like we do.”
Measures Underway Now:
- Increasing the City’s trash removal frequency and volume on beaches and in beach-adjacent neighborhoods;
- Appropriately staffing our traffic enforcement activities, including citing loud vehicles, speeding, unsafe turns, DUIs, and more;
- Expanded parking enforcement, with less patience for illegal parking and higher fines for illegal parking;
- Enforcing against illegal short term lodgings in residential areas;
- Targeted social media & Google ads reminding everyone about rules for respectful beachgoing, including:
- Penalties against littering;
- Penalties against smoking (neither vaping or smoking are allowed in Laguna Beach public spaces);
- Prohibition against loud vehicle exhaust; and
- Prohibitions against alcohol on the beach.
Councilmember Mark Orgill said, “We recognize the need to address some of these immediate issues - today, now - before we have a full stewardship plan in place.”
Long-Term Objectives:
- Promoting and protecting a visitor culture that respects the beach and ocean environment, including weaving care for the Laguna Beach environment, culture and heritage into any and all visitor-oriented messages, including from our non-profit and marketing partners;
- Collaborating with key residential, destination, cultural and commercial stakeholders to help develop the stewardship initiatives; and
- Regularly updating and touching base with committed residents so that Laguna Beach residents maintain a bought-in, welcoming and prideful spirit of visitor interaction to collectively preserve the heart and soul of Laguna Beach.
The Committee is expected to take several months to prepare and present its Action Plan, including periodic updates to Council and community to help prepare for Summer 2025 and subsequent high-use seasons.
Mayor Sue Kempf Discusses Stewardship and Visitor Ad Hoc Committee in this Week's Video Interview:
This Week's City Council Action:
City Council Raises Fines to Encourage Better Parking Habits
Tuesday, the City Council approved a significant increase in parking fines, with penalties for certain violations now starting at $100. Offenses such as parking along red or white curbs, blocking driveways, and parking on private property without consent will incur this higher fine. Additionally, citations for parking in spaces designated for disabled persons will rise sharply from $300 to $636. The council also decided to raise the fine for failing to obey posted signage from $43 to $54. These changes, the first since 2018, were made after a comparative analysis with neighboring cities, reflecting Laguna Beach's unique parking challenges.
City Council Adopts Commercial Property Maintenance Ordinance: Goes Into Effect in 30 Days
The Laguna Beach City Council adopted the Commercial District Beautification and Property Maintenance ordinance this Tuesday, following its second reading. The ordinance, which will take effect 30 days from adoption, requires all commercial property owners, including those with vacant properties, to maintain their properties in a clean, safe, and visually appealing condition. This includes regular upkeep of building exteriors, sidewalks, parking areas, and landscaping to prevent deterioration and hazards. The City will conduct inspections to ensure compliance. An immediately effective reimbursement program offers reimbursement for City fees related to maintenance projects, with a total program cap of $300,000. Additionally, the "Charm Challenge" will recognize property owners and tenants who consistently uphold high maintenance standards, further encouraging the beautification of Laguna Beach's commercial districts.
City Council Defines Use of Lighting at Riddle Field
The Laguna Beach City Council gave the green light for extended use of lights at Riddle Field for the Laguna Beach Little League. They found the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and approved the lights to stay on until 9:30 p.m. during the fall, spring, and summer seasons, with some limits on weekend use. City staff will issue the field permit each season based on how many kids register and actual field needs and will file the necessary paperwork with the County.
Historic Seagrave Fire Engine Restoration Moves Forward
The Laguna Beach City Council decided to move forward with restoring the City's historic 1931 Seagrave fire engine right away, using the $150,000 already set aside in this year’s budget. Instead of waiting for matching funds, the Council chose to get the engine repaired to a drivable condition now. They also gave the City Manager the go-ahead to sign a service agreement with Douglas and Company for up to $115,000, with an extra $15,000 set aside just in case any unexpected issues come up during the restoration.
Mayor Reads Proclamation Honoring the Life of Elisabeth Brown
At the August 13th City Council meeting, Mayor Sue Kempf read a proclamation recognizing the lifetime achievements of Elizabeth Brown. The proclamation honored Dr. Brown’s decades of service as president of the Laguna Greenbelt and her pivotal role in the creation of the South Coast Wilderness, a 22,000-acre expanse of protected open space. The proclamation also celebrated her tireless dedication to environmental conservation in Orange County and her enduring impact on the community.
The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, September 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.
RSVP Today for August 27 Insurance and Wildfire Town Hall Meeting:
This weekend the City's 3rd herd of Goats will be arriving in Laguna Beach. They will be starting behind Pacific and moving in behind Tahiti. The herd will be starting 200 goats strong.
Due to the location of this herd the public will have no access to them. Please do not pet or attempt to access the goats.
Meet the Promenade on Forest Community Ambassadors!
Mayor Sue Kempf and Councilmember Mark Orgill of the City Council Ad Hoc Committee would like to introduce you to the Promenade on Forest Community Ambassadors. The Community Ambassadors applied and have been chosen to work with the City Council Ad Hoc Committee, residents, staff, and consultants to identify the scope and constraints of the permanent Promenade on Forest project.
The Promenade on Forest transforms a former street into a vibrant and shaded pedestrian plaza, offering a place to leisurely shop, eat, rest, and relax. Respectful of our history as a unique community, the Promenade will celebrate the influence of art, music, and our treasured landscape character of Laguna. The City recognizes the value and importance of the community’s voice in the Promenade’s permanent design process to ensure its vitality for the community and beyond.
For any questions or suggestions, please email Louie Lacasella at llacasella@lagunabeachcity.net.
LBPD Operation Targets Speeders, Loud Exhaust
On Saturday, August 10, 2024, officers from the Laguna Beach Police Department led its second multi-agency task force operation of the year, focusing on speed violations, loud exhaust and modified vehicle emissions systems, and E-bike/electric motorcycles.
This has been a sustained enforcement effort in response to safety and quality of life issues impacting residents throughout Orange County, including coastal communities like Laguna Beach.
Saturday’s deployment included police officers and deputies from Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Orange County Sheriff Department, and the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
101 Vehicles Stopped:
- Of those, 15 vehicles were cited for loud exhaust and/or emissions violations. The highest sound meter reading was 120 dbA
- 41 vehicles were issued citations for speed violations
- The highest speed recorded was on Pacific Coast Highway at 97 MPH in Dana Point
- Five drivers were cited for either being unlicensed or having a suspended license
- Two E-bike drivers were cited for various violations
“Speed and loud exhaust violations continue to compromise the safety and quality of life of our residents. Consequently, we are left with no choice but to take a zero-tolerance approach to enforcement,” said Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert. “We appreciate the unprecedented collaboration with our law enforcement partners throughout Orange County and will continue these joint enforcement operations through the end of the year.”
Share Your Thoughts on Roadway Safety With Us at This Week's Farmer's Market
The City is excited to connect with you as part of our Citywide Safety Action Plan (CSAP), aiming to make our roads safer for everyone.
Join us in person at the Saturday Farmer's Market on August 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Lumberyard Parking Lot 12, 521 Forest Avenue to discuss your roadway safety concerns and learn more about our initiatives.
Scan the QR Code or Click HERE to access the interactive map and survey.
Share your experiences and pinpoint areas with safety challenges, whether you're driving, walking, or biking. Your insights will help shape the future of Laguna Beach roadways!
Laguna Beach Businessman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Nearly $6 Million
This week, David Robert McDonnell, 74, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and embezzlement of nearly $6 million from his clients over a period of several years.
McDonnell, who ran a Laguna Beach-based company (McDonnell Business Services), broke his fiduciary responsibility where he was named as a trustee on various trusts, and stole from elderly individuals, beneficiaries, and charitable organizations. McDonnell feloniously misrepresented his clients and liquated their assets fraudulently.
The Laguna Beach Police Department launched an investigation when a beneficiary from one of the trusts contacted the LBPD Detective Bureau. That investigation uncovered other beneficiaries of trusts who did not receive disbursements. Some of those beneficiaries/victims, other than immediate family members of the deceased, included University of California Irvine (earmarked for Pancreatic Cancer Research), Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), and University of Southern California (Athletics Department).
“I’m proud of Detective Joy Butterfield and the investigative team who brought justice to the families who were victimized,” said Chief Jeff Calvert.
LBPD enlisted the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) due to the need for forensic accounting and the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Because of this collaborative effort, McDonnell faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
For any further questions, please contact Sergeant Randy Bitonti at (949) 497-0374.
Team Laguna Beach Competes at the USLA Nationals Lifesaving Championships
Last week, top Ocean Lifeguard athletes competed at the USLA National Lifeguard Championships in South Padre Island Beach, Texas. This event occurs annually in different locations throughout the United States. It is an honor to qualify for the competition, and out of the 24 invited agencies, Laguna Beach Lifeguards placed 6th overall while only sending six participants. Some of the individual and team highlights from the event are listed below:
From left to right: Sean Grieshop, Claire Kelly, Niko Ridge, James Ahearn, Sage McClung, and Audrey Denos.
Individual Results 🏅
- Claire Kelly – 1st Place in the Women's Run Swim Run.
- Claire Kelly – 3rd Place in the Women's Surf Race.
- Claire Kelly – 3rd Place in the Women's Board Rescue Race.
- Audrey Denos – 6th Place in the Women's 2k Beach Run.
- Sean Grieshop – 7th Place in the Men's Surf Race.
Team Results 🏅
- 4th Place in the Women's Landline Rescue Race.
- 5th Place in the Women's 4x100 Run Relay.
- 6th Place in the Men's Rescue Board Race.
- 7th Place in Women's Board Relay.7th Place in the Men's Taplin Relay.
Additionally, Ocean Lifeguard Claire Kelly finished 3rd in overall points in the Open Women's division.
Congratulations!
Meet Jordan: Pug Mix with a Gentle Heart 🐶
Jordan is a sweet 4-year-old neutered black pug mix ready for adoption. He enjoys the company of other dogs and will warm up to you quickly with a few treats. 🐾
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.
Information About Parking at the Laguna Beach Library
As a reminder, the Laguna Beach Library's Parking lot is only public parking when the library closes. During library operations, the parking lot is strictly for library patrons.
Pacific Opera Project's "The Mikado" is This Saturday ✨
You are invited to watch the Pacific Opera Projects "The Mikado" on August 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Festival of Arts.
Called “about the most fun one can have in a Los Angeles theater right now” (Maestro Arts & Reviews), Pacific Opera Project’s “The Mikado” updates Gilbert & Sullivan’s most popular operetta with Harajuku costumes, inspired by the district of Tokyo famous for its wild mix of colors and styles.
See You There!
Tina Turner Tribute Band to Play at Bluebird Park This Sunday
Debby Holiday, a powerhouse vocalist with deep roots in the Los Angeles music scene, brings her passion for rock and soul to life in a dynamic tribute to Tina Turner Sunday in Bluebird Park. In 2019, she formed a 10-piece band to create a tribute that captures the energy and spirit of Tina Turner's legendary performances. This show takes audiences on a journey through Tina's greatest hits, celebrating her legacy from the 60s to her iconic Wembley concerts.
The final FREE Music in the Park concert of the summer kicks off at 5:00 p.m. this Sunday at Bluebird Park! Attendees can start setting up after 3:00 p.m. Please note, dogs are not allowed, smoking is banned, and merchandise sales are prohibited. Guests 21 and older can enjoy alcohol with a full meal.
Submit Your Design for the 2024 Juried Fine Art Exhibit
The Arts Commission invites artists to submit 2D work for the 18th Annual Juried Fine Art exhibit. Selected works will be displayed at Laguna Beach City Hall from September 21 to November 15, 2024. This exhibition opportunity is open to residents of Orange County. Must be 18 years of age or older apply. The deadline to submit images is September 2, 2024.
Click HERE to register online for the final summer camps!
Have a Great Weekend! 🌴
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.