Laguna beach city news City of Laguna Beach, California

THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2024

This Week's City Council Action

City Council Approves Updates to City's Housing and Land Use Rules

On Tuesday, the City Council made some important updates to the City's housing and land use rules. Here are some of the key changes: 1) Inclusionary Housing Policy: Updated the rules about affordable housing for new projects that have 10 or more units, to reduce constraints on housing production. 2) Art in Public Places Requirement: Adjusted the rules that require public artwork to be provided, usually when a commercial building is remodeled or redeveloped. 3) Zoning Ordinance: Updated the City's zoning laws to comply with State law and reduce constraints for infill housing and mixed-use projects, primarily along the commercial Coast Highway corridor. The City will need approval from the California Coastal Commission to approve these changes, and hopes to secure that rapidly.

The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, June 11 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
Click HERE for the "The Week That Was"

Caro Pierotto to Perform at the World Music Concert This Friday 🎶

Brazilian Samba artist, Caro Pierotto will be performing at the free World Music Concert Series at the Heisler Park Amphitheater on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets or low-seated beach chairs.

Circus Bella Returns to Bluebird Park on June 8 🎪

Circus Bella returns to Bluebird Park on June 8, 2024, for free performances of their new summer show, WOW!- a captivating blend of circus enchantment and madcap mayhem. Show times are 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Circus Bella offers a modern twist on one-ring circus overflowing with heart and soul. This exhilarating show promises to delight and astonish children of all ages in a cherished family event.

Watch in awe as the vivaciously colorful Circus Bella Company, comprising a diverse troupe of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and clowns from the Bay Area and beyond, performs to the lively tunes of Rob Reich and the 6-piece Circus Bella All-Star Band.

New Laguna Beach Marine Safety Vessel 'Wave Watch’ Officially Christened Into Service

On Friday, May 24, the Laguna Beach community gathered at Marina Park in Newport Beach to celebrate the christening of the new marine safety vessel, "Wave Watch". This 33-foot Crystaliner vessel, designed to enhance Laguna Beach Marine Safety emergency response capabilities along the city’s 7.5 miles of beach, was officially dedicated in a ceremony that drew local officials, community members, and representatives from state offices.

Crafted by Crystaliner, Wave Watch is engineered to endure diverse ocean conditions, ensuring efficient and effective rescue operations. The vessel is equipped with advanced communication systems, including a Lifeguard 800-megahertz radio and a Ship-to-Ship V.H.F. radio, allowing for seamless coordination during emergencies. Additionally, Wave Watch provides a stable platform for immediate emergency medical care and includes ample storage for life-saving equipment.

The acquisition of Wave Watch was made possible through the transfer of surplus property from California State Parks Lifeguards, with operational and conversion funding generously donated by Laguna Beach residents Mark Porterfield and Steve Chadima. This new addition to the Marine Safety fleet will be crewed by a boat operator and a lifeguard, trained to respond to rescues, perform medical aids, and serve as deckhands.

Acting Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond opened Friday’s christening ceremony, expressing gratitude for the vessel's impact on local emergency response. "Wave Watch enhances our emergency response infrastructure, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our on-water operations," Bond stated. "This vessel represents a significant upgrade in our capabilities, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our community's safety."
Mayor Sue Kempf highlighted the vessel's significance in reinstating Laguna Beach's Rescue Vessel Program, dormant since the 1990s. "Wave Watch bridges a critical seven-and-a-half-mile gap in our offshore response capabilities, ensuring we can provide more efficient and effective emergency operations on the water," Kempf said. She added, "This vessel is a testament to our commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents and visitors. We are incredibly fortunate to have such strong community support that makes advancements like this possible."
Special guests, including Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rounaghi, Councilmembers Mark Orgill and Bob Whalen, and Newport Beach City Manager Grace Leung, were recognized for their support of the project. Representatives from Congresswoman Katie Porter's Office and Assemblywoman Diane Dixon's Office were also in attendance, presenting certificates to commemorate the occasion. The ceremony concluded with Mayor Kempf ceremoniously breaking a bottle of champagne on the bow of Wave Watch, officially christening the vessel as a new beacon of safety for the community.

Wave Watch will begin patrolling the beaches at the start of summer, with the Marine Safety Team ready to deploy its state-of-the-art features in ensuring the safety of beachgoers and the community at large. "Our team has been training diligently, and we are prepared to use Wave Watch to its full potential to keep our waters safe," Bond remarked.

For more information, contact Acting Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond at kbond@lagunabeachcity.net or (949) 464-6663.

📸 See More Photos from the Wave Watch Christening Below:

Laguna Beach Community Comes Together for Memorial Day Ceremony at Monument Point

On Monday, the City of Laguna Beach joined the community, American Legion Post 222, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5868 at Monument Point to pay tribute to those who have given their lives for our country. Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rounaghi spoke at the event. "This is the 248th year of this experiment we call America. While Americans seem more divided than ever, we are united on this: The freedom and security that we enjoy today would not be possible without the American service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice." Monday's Memorial Day service was a time for the community to show support for the families and friends of those who have passed away serving our nation.

Laguna Beach Firefighters Host Annual Pancake Breakfast! 🥞☕️

On Monday, our Laguna Beach Firefighters hosted their annual pancake breakfast at Heisler Park! Thanks for stopping by and hanging out with our firefighters! 🚒

Laguna Beach Public Safety Departments Participate in Special Olympics Torch Run

Earlier today, the Laguna Beach Police, Fire, and Marine Safety Departments joined many officers in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Southern California. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest public awareness vehicle and grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics with more than 2,000 officers involved in Southern California championing acceptance and inclusion. Thank you for participating!

Renowned Speaker Gordon Graham Leads LBPD Organizational Training

Last week, the Laguna Beach Police Department hosted a training with renowned speaker and leader, Gordon Graham. Graham is a 33-year veteran of California Law Enforcement.Gordon discussed five themes for organizational success, customer service, creating a WOW culture, and strategies to mitigate risk.

Lieutenant Jason Farris (right) coordinated the training, with assistance from Mariann Tracy who ensured everything ran smoothly.

Friendly and Playful Cat "Peter" Is Looking for a Forever Home

Looking for a furry friend to brighten your days? Look no further than Peter! This friendly domestic shorthair is full of energy and always up for a game of chase. At just 10 months old, he's the perfect age to join your family and bring endless joy.

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!

Join Us for KelpFest on June 8 at Main Beach! 🌊

You are invited to KelpFest on Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the cobblestones at Main Beach! Hosted by Laguna Ocean Foundation with the support of dedicated partner organizations, KelpFest celebrates Laguna Beach’s unique shoreline, our vital coastal resources, and the kelp that supports them.

This FREE festival features music from Mana and the Garden Band, ocean awareness activities, informational booths, games and art.
Click HERE for More Information!
Click HERE to Register for Summer Camps!

Have a Fantastic Weekend! ☀️

Have a Question? Click HERE to Contact the City of Laguna Beach!
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.