THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024
Laguna Beach City Council and Visit Laguna Beach Join Forces in Ten-Year, $5.5 Million Downtown Revitalization Effort
On Tuesday, November 12, the Laguna Beach City Council approved a landmark agreement with Visit Laguna Beach to launch a dedicated Downtown Improvement Fund.
This agreement, crafted and negotiated in large part through the efforts of Laguna Beach Council Member Mark Orgill, secures significant annual contributions from Visit Laguna Beach, which are funded through assessments collected by the Laguna Beach Tourism Marketing District (LBTMD), to support enhancements throughout Laguna Beach’s Downtown area. This partnership marks the beginning of a transformative effort aimed at revitalizing the heart of the city for residents and visitors alike.
The agreement emphasizes the commitment from Visit Laguna Beach to improve Laguna Beach's Downtown and contribute to artist workspace and living space. Under the terms, Visit Laguna Beach will make a one-time contribution of $500,000 in fiscal year 2024-25, with $200,000 of that amount towards artist workspace and living space, followed by annual contributions of $500,000 over the next ten years, beginning in fiscal year 2025-26. These funds will be directed toward enhancing Downtown infrastructure, elevating visitor amenities, beautifying public spaces, artist workspace and living space and supporting services that enrich the community experience for both residents and visitors.
“This collaboration is a tremendous step forward for the City of Laguna Beach, enabling long-term enhancements to the heart of our community,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf. “These contributions from Visit Laguna Beach will help us create a more welcoming, enjoyable, and accessible town for everyone who lives in and visits Laguna Beach.”
Key Details of the Agreement:
- One-Time Contribution:Visit Laguna Beach will make an initial $500,000 payment in fiscal year 2024-25. This will be disbursed in two parts: $200,000 for artist workspace and living space upon signing and $300,000 in March 2025.
- Annual Contributions:From fiscal year 2025-26 through 2034-35, Visit Laguna Beach will contribute $500,000 annually to the Downtown Improvement Fund.
- Adjustment Mechanism: Annual contributions will be adjusted based on changes in the revenue collected by the Laguna Beach Tourism Marketing District (LBTMD). This mechanism ensures that funding keeps pace with the City’s tourism activity, accommodating fluctuations in local economic conditions.
- Fund Utilization:The Downtown Improvement Fund will finance infrastructure enhancements, beautification projects, community events, artist workspace and living space and additional public safety services within the Downtown area. Planned improvements could include upgrades to the Promenade, new public seating and amenities, expanded pedestrian areas, and revitalized signage and parking facilities.
“By committing to these enhancements, we’re fostering an environment that supports both our local businesses and the well-being of our residents,” said Council Member Orgill. “Visit Laguna Beach’s involvement in this effort highlights the strong collaboration we share and sets the stage for sustained improvements that will serve the community for years to come. I am proud to bring this forward for the long-term sustainability of the Downtown and of our community’s cultural heritage.”
Joanna Bear, Chair of the Visit Laguna Beach Board of Directors, expressed her support for the initiative, stating, “Our commitment to this fund underscores our dedication to a vibrant, sustainable, and attractive Downtown. We are excited to partner with the City of Laguna Beach to help shape the future of our Downtown and make it a place that residents are proud of and that visitors want to return to.”
This long-term investment in Laguna Beach’s Downtown area is expected to bring widespread benefits for the community, enhancing local commerce and boosting the visitor experience in ways that align with the City’s strategic vision and stewardship initiatives.
The first steps of the initiative are expected to start in early 2025, with detailed reports on fund expenditures provided annually. These reports will help maintain transparency and allow stakeholders to track the tangible benefits brought about by this partnership.
For further information on the Downtown Improvement Fund or to follow upcoming project developments, please contact Laguna Beach Assistant City Manager Gavin Curran at gcurran@lagunabeachcity.net.
This Week's City Council Action:
City Council Approves Proclamation Honoring Retired Parking Services Officer Mary Marlene Mackler
On Tuesday, the City Council approved a proclamation honoring retired Parking Services Officer Mary Marlene Mackler. Marlene had an amazing career with the Laguna Beach Police Department spanning over 35 years. She walked over 45,000 miles and issued over 300,000 parking citations worth over ten million dollars. Marlene's hard work and dedication to the community of Laguna Beach will be missed. From left to right: Police Chief Jeff Calvert, Mary Marlene Mackler, and Mayor Sue Kempf.
City Council Approves Proclamation Recognizing Artists Sunday
On Tuesday, the City Council approved a proclamation recognizing the first Sunday after Thanksgiving as Artists Sunday. Artists Sunday is a national movement dedicated to supporting artists and celebrating their contributions to enriching our lives, community, and economy. This year Artist Sunday falls on December 1, 2024. The Sawdust Art Festival invites the community to the Winter Fantasy to purchase unique original art works from many talented artists whose work deserves recognition and support.
City Council Votes to Keep Speed Table on Bluebird Canyon Drive
On Tuesday, the City Council voted to keep the speed table on Bluebird Canyon Drive between Cress Street and Oriole Drive. The City installed a speed table on Bluebird Canyon Drive in September 2023 following a 2022 speed survey that revealed 85% of vehicles were traveling at an average of 33 mph. By April 2024, a follow-up study found speeds had reduced to an average of 28 mph. City Staff will update the City Council on this project during the 2025-26 Capital Improvement Plan review, where they will explore the addition of sidewalks, a potential asphalt-based speed table, and other options to further enhance safety.
Mayor Pro Tem Rounaghi and Councilmember Orgill to Serve on Efficient and User-Friendly Government Ad Hoc Committee
On Tuesday, the City Council authorized Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rounaghi and Councilmember Mark Orgill to serve as an ad hoc committee on efficient and user-friendly government. The scope of work for this ad hoc committee will include, but not be limited to, enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of City government operations. Key areas of focus will be exploring options for in-house legal services, refining the City's fiscal priorities, establishing performance metrics, evaluating the potential benefits of transitioning to a charter city, and streamlining processes within the Public Works and Fire departments. The ad hoc committee will report back to the City Council at the end of FY 2024-25.
City Council to Hold Special Meeting on December 9 to Certify Election Results
On Tuesday, the City Council approved of adding a special meeting on Monday, December 9 at 5:00 p.m. to certify results from the November 5, 2024 General Election and conduct any Council reorganizational activities, such as swearing in one or more new Council members (if applicable) and/or designating the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem for December 2024 through December 2025.
There Will Be a Special Meeting of the City Council on Monday, December 9, at 5:00 P.M., Followed by the Regular Meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 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.
Possible Special Workshop-Style Council Meeting on Wednesday, November 20
There will be a possible Special Workshop-Style Council Meeting - Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The Workshop's purpose is to discuss and get Council and community feedback on the possible purchase of artist live-work housing along Laguna Canyon Road.
More details about the meeting to follow - City staff wanted our Newsletter readers to be aware of the possible meeting in advance of the required 24-hour notice. There is always a chance that the meeting will not be held, so please check the City's formal agenda page on our website for confirmation. Thanks!
Community Gathers at Monument Point to Remember and Honor Veterans
All Aboard: Winter Express Trolley Begins November 22 🚎
Now you can enjoy all Laguna Beach has to offer without the driving and parking hassles. The Laguna Beach Winter Express trolley service makes a loop beginning at a parking lot located at 16355 Laguna Canyon Road in Irvine, near the I-405/SR-133 interchange.
Enjoy a scenic, open-air ride along Laguna Canyon Road, with stops at the Sawdust Art Festival and in downtown Laguna Beach, where you can connect to Laguna Beach Trolley service along Coast Highway in both directions, providing access to dozens of shopping and foodie destinations throughout Laguna Beach.
Winter Express trolley service operates every 30 minutes, leaving Irvine at :00 and :30 each hour, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 22 to December 22 during the hours listed below. Best of all, parking and the trolley ride are both FREE!
Ride the Canyon Route Trolley to Laguna's Winter Festivities
You can also park at Lot 16/Act V (1900 Laguna Canyon Road) for just $5 and ride a free trolley to the Sawdust Festival and downtown Laguna Beach every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. As a reminder, Shoppers permits are valid at Lot 16.
The Canyon Route is available on weekends from Friday, November 22 through Sunday, December 22.
Join Us TONIGHT at 6 PM 🎬: 6th Annual Coast Film & Music Festival Presents Films on Forest Avenue
Please join us for a free community screening sponsored by Roark on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at the Promenade on Forest!
Event Schedule:
- 6:00 PM: Seating opens with live music by Eli Crane
- 6:45 PM: Welcome and Q&A session featuing host Patt Parnell, professional Laguna pro surfer Nate Zoller, film director Harrison Roach, and Roark founder Ryan Hitzel
- 7:00 PM: Short films "Jackson Goldstone Solo," "You and That Thing You Love," and the feature film "NoWay," a cold water surf adventure film premiere
- 8:30 PM: Event concludes
Seating is first-come, first-serve. The event is outdoors, please dress warmly. For more information about the films, festival, and schedule, visit www.coastfilmfestival.com.
🎥 Call For Artists: 2025 Innovation Grants for Artists
The Artistic Innovation Grants for Artists encourages the spirit of experimentation and exploration, exclusively engaging artists in Laguna Beach. This grant program offers grants between $5,000 and $30,000 to support the art-making process and premiere of these endeavors.
Click HERE to register online on the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce's website.
On Wednesday, November 20 at 12:00 p.m., the Recreation Committee’s Playground Master Plan subcommittee will hold a community workshop in the Community Room at the Community and Susi Q Center at 380 3rd Street. The Master Plan will evaluate the City’s playgrounds and identify short and long-term improvements required to maintain the playgrounds in good repair.
Find Your Perfect Companion in Sammy! 🐶
Sammy is a 2-year-old, neutered golden retriever looking for his forever home! This sweet, handsome boy has a lot of love to give and would do best with someone experienced in handling dogs. He needs a 6-foot fenced yard to safely play and grow. Sammy is ready to be your loyal companion.
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.
Laguna Canyon Road Construction Update
Beginning Monday, November 25, through Wednesday, November 27, Southbound Laguna Canyon Road will be detoured, between the SR-73 toll road and El Toro Road, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Southbound traffic will be detoured to the southbound toll road onramp to El Toro Road back to Laguna Canyon Road (no toll charge).
Significant traffic impacts can be expected. The ongoing weeknight detours are changing to daytime, for these three days only, to accommodate appropriate asphalt paving temperatures.
Thanks for Participating in Last Week's Document Shredding Event!
All political signs in Laguna Beach must be removed by Friday, November 15. If you have any questions, please call Code Enforcement at (949) 497-0301.
Upcoming Field Closures Due to Annual Maintenance:
Fields will be closed on the listed scheduled dates for annual maintenance. Closures are subject to change based on inclement weather.
- Riddle Field: November 25, 2024 - January 31, 2025
- Moulton Meadows Soccer Field: November 18, 2024 -January 16, 2025
Have a Restful and Cozy Weekend ☕️ 🍁
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.