(Cover Photo by Mary Hurlbut/Stu News)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023
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
City Council Appoints Sean Joyce as Interim City Manager
At a Special Meeting held on Tuesday, the Laguna Beach City Council appointed Sean Joyce to serve as Interim Laguna Beach City Manager. Mr. Joyce has over 35 years of municipal government experience and retired as Irvine City Manager in February 2018.
Mr. Joyce will temporarily fill the role of City Manager while the City issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an executive recruitment consultant to lead a nationwide search to fill the position permanently. This process will include opportunities for public input and is likely to take 4-6 months, with an expected completion of early 2024. Mr. Joyce will not be seeking consideration for the permanent position.
“Mr. Joyce has a wealth of experience as a City Manager and is the right person to serve as our Interim City Manager during this time of transition for our community and City staff,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen. “We look forward to working with him over the next several months as we undertake the process to recruit and select our next City Manager.”
In addition to having served as Irvine City Manager, Mr. Joyce also held the role of City Manager for the cities of South Pasadena and Sierra Madre. Following his retirement in February 2018, Mr. Joyce has served as Interim City Manager for the cities of Huntington Beach, San Clemente, and South Pasadena.
“I am honored to be asked to serve the City of Laguna Beach as Interim City Manager,” said Joyce. “I will work closely with the City Council and executive leadership during these next few months to ensure a seamless transition and continued forward momentum for City staff, City Council initiatives, and current and future projects.”
Mr. Joyce holds a master’s degree from California State University of Fullerton in Public Administration. Mr. Joyce will assume his new role as Interim City Manager on September 7, 2023.
Helpful Tips to Keep Your Home Safe 🚨
The Laguna Beach Police Department has noticed an uptick in residential burglaries during August. Although these occurrences aren’t frequent in Laguna Beach, there has been a series of break-ins along the coastal cities. Most burglaries in Laguna Beach ranged from illegal lodging, theft of property from open garages, theft of construction equipment, and theft of personal property from inside residences.
The Laguna Beach Police Department takes pride in ensuring your community is a safe place to live, and we wanted to remind you of ways to protect your home. Below are some additional recommendations you can follow to safeguard your property:
- Sign up for Vacation Home Checks through the Laguna Beach Police Department website
- Keep your home lights on when you are away/ keep your lights on a timer so they turn on at night
- Close and lock your windows, doors, garages, and car doors at all times
- Install cameras and flood lights on your property
- Double check the credentials of home improvement companies/ be present during the time work is done/ limit access to home
- Ensure you are home to receive deliveries
- Place GPS tracking devices on your personal property
- Be a great neighbor and report suspicious activity
It is crucial to remain vigilant and report any suspicious crime to LBPD at (949) 497-0701. Our patrol staff will conduct continuous patrols within the residential and business areas during their shifts.
Fall CERT Classes Start Next Week 🚨 Sign Up Today!
The Laguna Beach Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is holding the CERT Fall Training Academy on Thursday nights from September 14 to October 26 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Community & Susi Q Center. Sign up before the class fills up!
The CERT program is a nationally supported, locally implemented initiative that teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities.
Upcoming Preparedness Events
For more information, please contact Brendan Manning, Emergency Operations Coordinator at (949) 497-0350.
You are Invited to the Memorial Bridge Dedication for Fallen Officer Jon Coutchie
The City of Laguna Beach and Senator Janet Nguyen invite the community to witness the dedication of the Aliso Creek Bridge as Officer Jon Coutchie Memorial Bridge, in recognition of fallen Laguna Beach Police Officer, Jon Steven Coutchie.
Officer Jon Steven Coutchie tragically lost his life in the line of duty on September 21, 2013, while pursuing a recklessly driven vehicle. In recognition of Officer Coutchie’s heroic legacy, Senator Janet Nguyen introduced a resolution designating the Aliso Creek Bridge as the Officer Jon Coutchie Memorial Bridge.
Nellie is Looking for a Forever Home! 🐶
Looking for a companion who can bring you joy?! Nellie is a four-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.
Vote for Hobie in the World's Cutest Rescue Dog Contest!
Hobie is a rescue dog from the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. He is one of 10 pups that were chosen from thousands of entries competing for the 2023 PEOPLE's World's Cutest Rescue Dog Contest! The contest is open from August 25 through September 22. If Hobie wins, $1,000 will be donated to the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter.
Housing Choice Voucher Program Available on September 18
The Orange County Board of Supervisors is excited to announce that Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) will be opening the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) waiting list and accepting applications beginning September 18, 2023, 8:00 a.m. and ending September 29, 2023, 11:59 p.m.
The federal government’s Housing Choice Voucher Program assists very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford healthy, safe, and suitable housing.
New Off-Season Transit & Parking Hours
The Non-Summer Season Trolley Routes, Laguna Local Neighborhood On-Demand Transit, and Public Parking Lots are in place from September 5, 2023 through June 21, 2024
Trolley Schedule for the Coastal and Canyon Routes
Off-Season Public Park Lots
Sunset Serenades Concert Series Kicks Off This Friday!
Enjoy free live music performances on Friday evenings in September from 5:30 p.m. until sunset at the Heisler Park Amphitheater as a part of the Sunset Serenades Concert Series!
Enjoy Live Music This Weekend at the Promenade 🎶
- Thursday at 5:30 PM: Upstream
- Friday at 5:30 PM: Felisha Dunne
- Saturday at 5:30 PM: Giovanni Simone
- Sunday at 5:00 PM: Kelly Fitzgerald
Have a Wonderful Weekend! 🌴✨
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.