THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026
The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, January 13 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.
January 6 Special City Council Meeting Recap
New Webpage for Proposed Aliso Estuary Restoration Project
The City has launched a new webpage to provide centralized information regarding the proposed Aliso Estuary Restoration Project. The project has been proposed by the Laguna Ocean Foundation and is entering formal environmental review.
The webpage is intended to serve as an informational hub for the community. It includes general background information, project status updates, and access to publicly available materials. As the review process proceeds, the webpage will be the primary location to download documents such as the Initial Study and the eventual Environmental Impact Report prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
The webpage also includes a link for community members to sign up to receive project updates. Subscribers will receive notifications when new materials are posted, meetings are scheduled, or key milestones occur. Community members are encouraged to visit the webpage and sign up for updates to stay informed.
Recreation Committee Meeting & Pump Track Discussion
The Laguna Beach Recreation Committee will meet on Monday, January 12, at 6:00 p.m. at the Community and Susi Q Center, located at 380 Third St., in the Multi-Purpose Room.
During the meeting, the Committee will discuss several items, including a proposed bike pump track in Laguna Beach.
The discussion will focus on potential locations for the pump track, including areas near Moulton Meadows Park and alternative sites such as the Community and Recreation Center and Alta Laguna Park.
Community members are encouraged to attend and share their input as the Committee considers next steps.
City Council Appointed Committees
The City Council is accepting applications for the following Committees and Boards: Design Review Board/Board of Adjustment, Environmental Sustainability Committee, Heritage Committee, Parking, Traffic & Circulation Committee, Recreation Committee, and View Restoration Committee.
Interviews and appointments will be conducted on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. by the City Council. All applicants may be interviewed. Applicants may be contacted by City Council members prior to the interviews and appointments, so please be prepared to make a brief statement about your desire to serve.
Laguna Beach residents who are interested in serving on one of these Committees or Boards should obtain an application from the City Clerk’s Office or online from the City’s website, www.lagunabeachcity.net, and file it by Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Questions may be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at (949) 497-0705. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
Number of positions that will be open and details for the following Committees and Boards (*The City Council may reduce or increase the number of positions at its discretion):
(2) two-year terms on the Design Review Board/Board of Adjustment with terms beginning April 1, 2026, and extending through March 31, 2028. The Design Review Board/Board of Adjustment is a five-member body appointed by the City Council to evaluate new one- or two-unit residential projects, or additions thereto, for compliance with the General Plan, Zoning Code, City-adopted design guidelines, and general neighborhood compatibility. The Board may also consider granting a variance from provisions of the Zoning Code if warranted.Board members are compensated in the amount of $392.00 per month. The Board generally meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. and may, from time to time, hold a special meeting depending on the volume of pending applications.
A substantial time commitment of approximately 10 hours per week is necessary to be a Board member. In addition to the bi-monthly meetings, Board members are expected to visit each project site, as well as affected neighboring properties, and to review project plans prior to the meeting. The Board acts on an average of 10 items per meeting. It is desirable to have, or be able to acquire, certain skills or aptitudes, such as the ability to understand and conceptualize architectural drawings and to visualize building mass and volumes based upon on-site staking plans. Experience in the building trades, architecture, historic preservation, landscaping, planning, and/or real estate would be an asset.
(3) two-year terms on the Environmental Sustainability Committee with terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. The Environmental Sustainability Committee is a seven-member advisory body to the City Council. The purpose of the Committee is researching, reviewing, and advising the City Council on items related to protecting the environment and improving the community’s future sustainability. The Committee receives its work assignments from the City Council. Committee members research issues and policies and prepare recommendations for approval by the Committee for submission to the City Council. A personal time commitment of 10 to 15 hours per month may be necessary to accomplish tasks. Regular meetings are held on the third Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m. Meetings may be two or more hours and often require a great deal of preparation time.
(2) two-year terms on the Heritage Committee with terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. The Heritage Committee is currently a five-member body that serves in an advisory role on matters pertaining to historic preservation and reviews applications for the City’s Historic Register. Meetings are generally held on the third Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
(3) two-year terms on the Parking, Traffic & Circulation Committee with terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. The Parking, Traffic & Circulation Committee is a seven-member body that acts in an advisory capacity on matters pertaining to parking, traffic, circulation, and traffic complaints. Meetings are generally held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
(3) two-year terms on the Recreation Committee with terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. The Recreation Committee is a seven-member body that directs its efforts in the area of providing for the recreation and park needs of the community. Meetings are generally held on the second Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
(2) two-year terms on the View Restoration Committee with terms beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028. Members of the View Restoration Committee adjudicate view claims submitted by property owners to restore pre-existing views that are alleged to be significantly impaired by vegetation. The five-member Committee conducts public hearings to review claims, hear testimony, and determine significant view impairment. The Committee may approve a view restoration order and establish a maintenance schedule for the subject vegetation on the property. The View Restoration Committee generally meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m.
Laguna Beach Residents — HHW Survey!
The City is gathering feedback from residents to help improve household hazardous waste (HHW) recycling programs and make Laguna Beach a cleaner, safer community. Please take a few minutes to share your input by completing the short survey below:
Laguna Art-A-Fair Call for Artists!
The Laguna Art-A-Fair is now looking for artists to join the 2026 festival. Digital submissions of artwork and applications are due January 31.
Show dates are from June 26 through September 6.
Laguna Beach Library Events & Classes!
Upcoming Citizens Academy Class
Join our Citizen Police Academy class that starts this January 2026! In our academy you will have courses to learn about SWAT, investigations team, DUI investigations, narcotics, CSI, and more! We will also be taking a trip to OC jail and have an opportunity to attend our shooting range.
Meet Tiny, an adorable and affectionate 7-month-old neutered male orange-and-white shorthair tabby.
Tiny is a 7-month-old neutered male orange-and-white domestic shorthair tabby with a playful spirit and a gentle, old-soul heart. He’s still growing and filling out, but his personality already shines through. Tiny would do best in a home with other cats or children who can keep up with his fun-loving energy. His favorite pastime is batting and chasing his toy spring, followed closely by snuggling up for a good cuddle. Sweet, social and full of charm, Tiny is ready to find his forever home. Come meet Tiny today!
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.
City Offers Complimentary AI Business Analytics Tool to Support Local Businesses in the New Year
The City’s Economic Development Team is pleased to reintroduce a complimentary business analytics resource available to existing Laguna Beach businesses. Through the City’s Economic Development Team, Laguna Beach businesses can receive data from Placer.ai, a foot-traffic analytics platform.
Placer.ai uses aggregated and anonymized data to analyze visitation and movement patterns, offering insights such as where visitors are coming from, how long they stay, likely travel routes, and stops made before or after visiting a business. These insights may help businesses:
- Optimize marketing and advertising campaigns. - Measure the impact of outreach and promotions. - Refine storefront operations, hours, and customer engagement strategies. - Make smarter, data-driven business decisions.
Business owners interested in the complimentary resource are encouraged to contact the City’s Economic Development Team. For more information, please contact Louie Lacasella in the City Manager’s Office, at llacasella@lagunabeachcity.net.
Free Quit Smoking and Vaping Support for Orange County Residents
The City supports the Orange County Health Care Agency Tobacco Use Prevention Program and encourages residents to take advantage of a free evidence based resource to quit smoking or vaping. The program operates under the 1-866-NEW-LUNG initiative and serves adults 18 years and older who live in Orange County.
Participants may access free cessation services without insurance, including one on one counseling, a personalized quit plan, and nicotine replacement therapy such as patches or gum. Services are available in person, by phone, or via Zoom and are offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Farsi. These services aim to reduce tobacco related health risks and support long term wellness across the community.
Take Action
- Call 1-866-639-5864 to enroll or ask questions.
- Visit www.1866newlung.com to view class schedules and program details.
- Download the Community Toolkit for multilingual outreach materials and resources.
- View and share the Adult Smoking Cessation Flyer with friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.
Cultural Arts Funding Grants
Do you have a question about the upcoming Cultural Arts Funding application for non-profit arts organizations? Sign up for a 15-minute Zoom consultation with Cultural Arts Manager, Siân Poeschl.
Deadline: February 2, 2026
Email spoeschl@lagunabeachcity.net with your preference on the available dates and times below:
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026 - between 3 and 4 p.m. - Thursday, January 15, 2026 - between 10 and 11 a.m. - Friday, January 16, 2026 - between 1 and 2 p.m.
This is not a requirement of the grant but offered as a helpful courtesy.
Happy New Year! ☀️
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.