Search for new city manager is moving forward

By SARA HALL

The search for a new city manager is progressing and a selection could happen as early as the end of this month.

City Council held a closed session special meeting Saturday (April 10) at Surf and Sand Resort regarding appointment of a new city manager. 

On April 8, Mayor Bob Whalen gave an update on City Council items on KXFM radio station. During the “Mornings with Ed” segment, Whalen said the city manager search is going well.

Whalen referenced the all-day Saturday session as a meeting to review six candidates. A follow-up meeting is planned for April 24 to further interview a few finalists before making a selection early next month, he said.

“I’m hoping that we stay on that timeline and have some news for people by…end of April or early May,” Whalen said on the radio show.

The process is confidential and discussions have occurred in closed session, City Attorney Phil Kohn confirmed in an email with Stu News Laguna on Monday. Confidentiality is to protect the identity of the candidates and the integrity of the selection process, he said.

“The City Council will interview and reach a tentative agreement with a candidate that will be subject to approval by a majority of the City Council at a regularly scheduled public meeting,” Kohn said. 

It is currently anticipated that the council will consider approval of such an agreement for the next City Manager in May, he added.

Current City Manager John Pietig announced earlier this year that he planned to retire in June after two decades with the city. Prior to his current position as Laguna Beach’s top administrator, Pietig was assistant city manager for 10 years.

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Courtesy of City of LB

Current City Manager John Pietig is retiring in June

Laguna Beach City Council hired executive recruiting firm Bob Murray & Associates to conduct a comprehensive search as part of the process of hiring a new city manager. Through this process, the Council aims to ensure a strong applicant pool of qualified internal and external candidates for the position.

Gary Phillips from the recruiting firm moderated three virtual town hall listening sessions last month and offered an opportunity for the public to identify the needs of the community as it pertains to the role.

Phillips said his job is to gain as much information and knowledge about Laguna Beach as possible, and then present a pool of candidates to the council. The process usually takes about four months, he said.

During the three listening sessions, several comments from members of the public were repeated as important qualities in the next city manager.

Issues or concerns that echoed over all three meetings included: Balancing the division or opposing factions in town; transparency from the city; listening and working with citizens; and creating a positive work environment at city hall. 

“If the new city manager could bring that transparency and trust, that would be a huge improvement,” Emil Monda said during the first listening session. 

The staff reports need to be neutral and balanced, but that doesn’t seem to always be the case now, Monda said. 

Residents also mentioned that the new city manager should have an ability to work with the California Coastal Commission, be ready to deal with the affordable housing requirements from the state, understand the importance of art in the city, and focus on protecting the neighborhoods.

“We would like a more creative, more Laguna-oriented type of management,” Johanna Felder said during the second public discussion. Someone that is “uniquely Laguna.” 

The second community meeting veered off topic while the recruiters addressed a rumor, but it ultimately highlighted the passionate discussion that tends to occur in Laguna Beach. Speakers noted that this type of questioning dialogue is a good example of what the new city manager will have to deal with as the top city staffer in Laguna Beach. 

The right person has to be mature, confident, have thick skin, and choose their battles carefully, Dennis Boyer said during the second meeting.

“Listening to the dialogue tonight, two personal characteristics that stand out to me: Diplomatic skills and a thick skin,” Boyer said. “It’s not for the faint of heart to deal with politics in Laguna.”

Residents also hoped the new employee will genuinely care about the town and want to work to improve it.

“I want a city manager who loves Laguna as much as the residents do,” Michele Monda said during the third public listening session.

The new city manager should be someone the residents can trust and is loyal to what’s best for the community, MJ Abraham agreed during the third meeting.

“It’s extremely important that we hire someone who wants to be here and commits to making a positive difference in our city,” Abraham said.

The person who fits all of those qualifications might be hard to find, some speakers agreed.

Skills required from the city’s next top executive will also need to include being able to navigate the often-fiery and questioning dialogue, as evident from the second recruitment listening session, and balance the needs of people on both sides of the current division in town in an unbiased manner.

“Whoever gets selected needs to be able to navigate, negotiate that divide very astutely because it’s not going away,” Mike Morris said during the third public discussion.

“The challenges that will face the city manager are just immense,” Chris Catsimanes concluded during the third and final listening session. “We need someone that’s got imagination, can think out of the box, and of course all of the other requisites: Working with people, working with factions. And yet, being able to guide us in a way that we come together as a village again, because right now we’re not.”

Council repeals old code provision that criminalizes “profane” language

By SARA HALL

City Council repealed a municipal code provision from 1953 that criminalizes the use of certain language at City Council meetings following an interesting discussion this week.

The provision, which will be removed in its entirety, reads: “Any member of the council, or other person using profane, vulgar, or boisterous language at any meeting, or otherwise interrupting the proceedings, or who refuses to be seated, or cease his remarks when ordered so to do by the mayor or mayor pro tem, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”

During the first in-person meeting in about a year, on Tuesday (April 6), Council unanimously approved repealing the outdated item, but not without several speakers first questioning the timing.

“It’s a remarkable coincidence that we’re dealing with this tonight,” Councilmember Toni Iseman said.

The timeliness of the action is noteworthy considering council unanimously agreed on March 9 to censure Councilmember Peter Blake for violation of the Rules of Decorum and Civility. Several instances during city meetings were cited, as well as comments made outside official meetings, when Blake used slurs or other offensive, disparaging, or derogatory language. 

On Tuesday, several council members and public speakers mentioned the recent censure and Blake’s language.

While Iseman recalled some of the concerns residents and friends have raised for her safety as a result of being a primary “target” of Blake’s comments, Blake interrupted and called it outrageous slander.

“This is absurd,” he said.

Mayor Bob Whalen had staff mute Blake, who was participating in the meeting over the phone since he was out of town. 

She’s dealt with “aggression and hostility” in the past, Iseman continued. Members of the public have also dealt with it. It’s wrong and it has to stop, she said.

“Maybe the reasonable thing would be to come up with something that would be not from the 50s but from this year that addresses this conduct,” Iseman suggested.

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Submitted photo

Councilmember Peter Blake

A few residents spoke during comment and also questioned the timing.

“I’m baffled as to why this one particular ordinance review is coming up tonight,” Michele Monda said. “Why this one particular ordinance, out of all the outdated ordinances, this is the one that needs fixing?”

The proper time to do address this provision, which should have come up naturally during the research, would have been when the council was discussing the decorum and civility policy. 

Blake’s recent censure was for the specific behavior and language this ordinance addresses, Monda pointed out. If reviewing outdated sections of the code, all of them need to be scrutinized. A working group considering all of the ordinances in an orderly fashion would better serve the public, she said.

“You are not even giving the appearance of trying to clean up outdated ordinances, but just cherry picking this one. What’s the purpose of that?” she said. “Is this ordinance elimination a means to give cover to misbehaving city council members? Specifically Peter Blake? It sure looks that way.”

Blake could be heard laughing as Monda finished her comments.

“Peter, I don’t appreciate that disrespectful snark,” she said. 

Anne Caenn said she was surprised about the repeal of this coming on the heels of Blake’s censure. She suggested a revision rather than a repeal.

“Why, after almost 70 years, Council is now considering a repeal?” she questioned.

City Attorney Phil Kohn said this was brought to staff’s attention after members of the Council were previously asked to invoke this provision to initiate criminal proceedings for the use of language.

During public comment, Chris Catsimanes said he was one of the residents that asked about it being reviewed. If it’s not enforceable then just take it off so residents “don’t have a false sense of hope.” 

Kohn said the timing, in relation to the recent censure of Blake, was entirely coincidental.

Whalen said he brought the item up with staff several months ago, well before the censure motion, after residents kept mentioning the provision. They discussed why it was unenforceable and Whalen suggested it be removed from the code.

“It got in the normal queue of things to get done and it came here tonight,” Whalen said. It’s “completely unrelated to the censure, nothing to do with it.” 

City Manager John Pietig said the timing of the item has more to do with logistics than anything else.

“The timing is, frankly, because there’s no appeals on the agenda tonight,” Pietig said. “Nothing else to it other than that.”

Kohn recommended that the provision be repealed because he believes that statutory developments and court decisions since the provision’s adoption render it unenforceable as to “profane, vulgar, or boisterous language,” according to the staff report.

It is their position that the provision is “invalid and unenforceable,” Kohn said.

“I say that principally because since the time that the provision was adopted (1953)…there’s been a number of changes in law, as one might expect,” Kohn said.

Kohn pointed out that there have been at least two federal court of appeal cases that considered remarkably similar ordinances, and both were found to be an unconstitutional restraint on first amendment rights.

The key feature of this provision is that it makes the use of certain language criminal, Kohn explained. It does not say that is it is not otherwise addressable through other means, which, for Laguna Beach, is through the Rules of Decorum and Civility. That policy contains the remedies available to deal with those situations.

There are other remedies, Kohn said, in the rare, if not unprecedented event, that the language is also accompanied by behavior that rises to the level of a disturbance that actually interferes with or impedes the ability of the City Council to conduct official business in an orderly manner.

“The use of language, in and of itself, in my belief, as expressed in this code section, does not support the initiation of criminal proceedings,” Kohn said. 

Councilmember George Weiss asked about other possible ways to enforce rules on language.

“We are throwing this out, so there’s really no recourse other than censure for the use of foul language,” Weiss said. “I find that difficult to understand, in that we should have something.”

Weiss, who said he stands by bringing the censure forward, “reluctantly” voted for the repeal but suggested that the council needs stronger rules of decorum.

People speaking out about him don’t like the fact that he represents a group of residents that don’t have a voice in the community, Blake said. He’s not even sure he’s ever used foul language while in council chambers, he added.

“We’re witnessing cancel culture at its best right now,” he said. “This is less than 30 days since I became the punching bag over the censure charade, now all of a sudden I’m becoming the punching bag one more time.”

Reiterating what he said during the meeting when he was censured, Blake said nothing in his behavior or language will change.

“It’s going to get 10 times worse, mark my words,” Blake said.

Council considers repealing dated vulgar language provision, new contracted trolley operator, city hall security enhancements

By SARA HALL

A number of noteworthy items are on the City Council’s agenda tonight (April 6), including: Repealing a dated language provision; contracting trolley operating services; adding security enhancements to city hall; code and Local Coastal Program changes related to accessory dwelling units; and an update and proposed plan modification regarding repairs at Laguna Canyon Channel.

Earlier in the day, council will also discuss an update to the city’s Housing Element in a joint workshop with the Planning Commission.

Possibly the most interesting item during regular business is the proposed repeal of a municipal code provision from 1953 that criminalizes the use of certain language at City Council meetings.

The provision reads: “Any member of the council, or other person using profane, vulgar, or boisterous language at any meeting, or otherwise interrupting the proceedings, or who refuses to be seated, or cease his remarks when ordered so to do by the mayor or mayor pro tem, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”

“Some residents have suggested that if the provision is unenforceable, then it should be removed from the Municipal Code,” the staff report reads.

Upon review, City Attorney Phil Kohn recommended that the provision be repealed. “I believe the subject provisions to be unenforceable because of statutory and case law developments after the provisions were adopted,” Kohn stated by email on Thursday.

“Council members and members of the public are given a wide berth for the content of their speech, particularly absent a showing that their statements create an imminent danger to the peaceful conduct of the meeting,” the report reads.

They are also provided specific protection by the Brown Act for criticism of policies, procedures, programs, and services, or acts or omissions of the council.

“For disorderly behavior to be punished as a criminal offense, the behavior must rise to the level of a disturbance that actually interferes with or impedes the ability of the City Council to conduct official business in an orderly manner,” according to the staff report.

Following warnings from the presiding officer, the Brown Act also allows for disruptive members of the public to be removed from a meeting. In severe instances, the California Penal Code makes it a misdemeanor for any person to “willfully disturb or break up” a meeting, which offenses could be cited by the Laguna Beach Police Department upon witnessing the incident, the report explains. 

If approved, the listed section of municipal code will be deleted in its entirety.

The action is noteworthy considering council unanimously agreed on March 9 to censure Councilmember Peter Blake for violation of the Rules of Decorum and Civility. Several instances during city meetings were cited, as well as comments made outside official meetings, when Blake used slurs or other offensive, disparaging, or derogatory language.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Council will consider a contract for a trolley operator

Also tonight (April 6), council will consider awarding a contract with LAZ Parking in an amount not to exceed $1,931,435 for trolley operations for an initial five-year term with two, three-year option terms. It’s subject to annual budget approval.

“The trolley system is an integral part of the city’s parking management plan and helps reduce downtown parking demand and traffic congestion by allowing visitors to utilize peripheral parking lots and ride the trolley throughout the city,” the staff report reads.

Historically, the city has hired part-time employees to serve as trolley drivers and dispatchers. Many are school bus drivers who work for the city on weekends and during the summer break, which can lead to scheduling and staffing challenges at the end of summer and non-summer weekends. As a result, recruitment and management has become increasingly challenging and time-consuming for city staff.

Due to changes in minimum wage and labor regulations, as well as staffing challenges related to using part-time employees well over part-time hours, staff believes that additional full-time city employees would be required for the city to continue to successfully operate the trolley service in-house.

The contractor plans to hire at least eight full-time employees, in addition to part-time and seasonal staff.

“Shifting to a contracted services model will significantly reduce the administrative burden related to seasonal hiring, as well as processing biweekly timesheets for 90 to 100 employees, freeing up resources in the city’s Finance and Human Resources divisions,” the staff report reads. 

The city would continue to hire part-time seasonal trolley ambassadors who provide directions at peripheral parking lots, major trolley stops, and onboard trolleys during the summer. A full-time transit supervisor would also be hired to oversee the contractor’s day-to-day operations, ensure compliance with required performance measures, respond to customer comments, and oversee the ambassadors and fueler/washers.

Contracted services would also allow increased flexibility to adjust staffing levels when necessary to meet service demand, while also reducing the city’s risk related to accident, injury, and worker’s compensation claims.

“Shifting from an in-house to a contracted trolley operation offers several benefits,” the staff report reads. “Working with a contracted operator will allow the city to continue to operate a reliable, cost-effective transit system using a staffing model that better aligns with the current scope of the city’s trolley services, which has grown significantly during the past 10 years.”

Council directed staff on August 11 to issue a request for bids for a contracted trolley operator. The trolleys would continue to be owned and maintained by the city, but operated by contract employees.

In addition to the regular Canyon, Coastal, and Summer Breeze routes, council directed staff to start a pilot program in fall for on-demand residential transit service in lieu of hourly trolley service on the Top of the World, Arch Beach Heights, and Bluebird Canyon neighborhood routes.

If approved, LAZ would begin operating the trolley service on June 25.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Security enhancements at city hall, including cameras and key card door locks, are on the consent calendar for tonight’s (April 6) Council meeting

Earlier during tonight’s meeting (April 6), on the consent calendar, council will consider awarding a $167,496 contract along with $17,000 (about 10 percent of the contract) for project-related expenses and change orders, for security improvements at city hall and 679 Ocean Ave.

The contract is with Am-Tech Security & Network Solutions, Inc., which submitted the lower of the two qualified bids (by about $27,000). Am-Tech has about 38 years of experience and provides similar services for several other Southern California cities, according to the staff report.

Following a 2019 building vulnerability assessment for the two locations, police and other authorities made several recommendations.

Staff published a request for proposals in December for security improvements including installing 23 security cameras located in the buildings’ interior and exterior and 37 key card door locks.

During regular business, council will also consider an ordinance to repeal and replace the Municipal Code chapter relating to accessory dwelling units, which would amend the city’s Local Coastal Program and request certification by the California Coastal Commission.

Sections of the city’s ADU ordinance are inconsistent with some updated state laws. Staff prepared an updated draft of the ADU ordinance, which was modified and approved by the Planning Commission on March 3.

Also on the agenda is an update to repairs at Laguna Canyon Channel along Frontage Road.

Recommendation includes directing staff to pursue the enhanced aesthetics improvements along the Laguna Canyon Channel between Frontage Road and Woodland Drive with the County of Orange and return to the City Council with the cooperative agreement to implement and fund the improvements. 

The item also includes directing staff not to pursue covering the portion of Laguna Canyon Channel between Frontage Road and Woodland Drive due to the high estimated cost of $8 million.

The regular meeting will be preceded by a joint City Council and Planning Commission Workshop to discuss Laguna Beach’s Housing Element.

The city is currently in the process of updating its Housing Element for the planning cycle of 2021-2029, which must be certified by the State Department of Housing and Community Development by October 15. The draft document is being presented on tonight (April 6) for preliminary comments and input. The final adoption will happen sometime this summer.

The joint workshop agenda is available online here. The meeting starts at 3 p.m. To participate via Zoom, you may click here from your computer or smart phone. You may also call (669) 900-9128 and wait for instructions. The Webinar ID is 95340580634#. 

The regular Council agenda is available online here. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. To participate via Zoom, you may click here from your computer or smart phone. You may also call (669) 900-9128 and wait for instructions. The Webinar ID is 98119947004#. 

Both meetings can be watched live on Cox channel 852 or on the city’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net/agendas.

You may speak in person in Council Chambers by entering the chambers through the rear door, speak on your subject of interest, and immediately exit through the front door. A face covering must be worn while in the chambers, including while speaking.

Comments may be submitted on any agenda item or on any item not on the agenda in writing via mail to the City Clerk at: 505 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651, by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by using this interactive form: www.lagunabeachcity.net/comment. Email your comments to the City Clerk no later than 3 p.m. on April 5 (the day before the City Council meeting) in order for your comments to be submitted to the members of the City Council the day prior the meeting, which provides them sufficient time to review the comments. 

You may continue to provide written comments up to 12 p.m. on April 6 (the day of the meeting). While these comments will be provided to the City Council at 2 p.m. on April 6, the council members may not have sufficient time to review them prior to the meeting.

Council considers repealing dated vulgar language provision, new contracted trolley operator, city hall security enhancements

By SARA HALL

A number of noteworthy items are on the City Council April 6 agenda, including: Repealing a dated language provision; contracting trolley operating services; adding security enhancements to city hall; code and Local Coastal Program changes related to accessory dwelling units; and an update and proposed plan modification regarding repairs at Laguna Canyon Channel.

Earlier in the day, council will also discuss an update to the city’s Housing Element in a joint workshop with the Planning Commission.

Possibly the most interesting item during regular business is the proposed repeal of a municipal code provision from 1953 that criminalizes the use of certain language at City Council meetings.

The provision reads: “Any member of the council, or other person using profane, vulgar, or boisterous language at any meeting, or otherwise interrupting the proceedings, or who refuses to be seated, or cease his remarks when ordered so to do by the mayor or mayor pro tem, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”

“Some residents have suggested that if the provision is unenforceable, then it should be removed from the Municipal Code,” the staff report reads.

Upon review, City Attorney Phil Kohn recommended that the provision be repealed. “I believe the subject provisions to be unenforceable because of statutory and case law developments after the provisions were adopted,” Kohn stated by email on Thursday.

“Council members and members of the public are given a wide berth for the content of their speech, particularly absent a showing that their statements create an imminent danger to the peaceful conduct of the meeting,” the report reads.

They are also provided specific protection by the Brown Act for criticism of policies, procedures, programs, and services, or acts or omissions of the council.

“For disorderly behavior to be punished as a criminal offense, the behavior must rise to the level of a disturbance that actually interferes with or impedes the ability of the City Council to conduct official business in an orderly manner,” according to the staff report.

Following warnings from the presiding officer, the Brown Act also allows for disruptive members of the public to be removed from a meeting. In severe instances, the California Penal Code makes it a misdemeanor for any person to “willfully disturb or break up” a meeting, which offenses could be cited by the Laguna Beach Police Department upon witnessing the incident, the report explains. 

If approved, the listed section of municipal code will be deleted in its entirety.

The action is noteworthy considering council unanimously agreed on March 9 to censure Councilmember Peter Blake for violation of the Rules of Decorum and Civility. Several instances during city meetings were cited, as well as comments made outside official meetings, when Blake used slurs or other offensive, disparaging, or derogatory language.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Council will consider a contract for a trolley operator

Also on Tuesday, council will consider awarding a contract with LAZ Parking in an amount not to exceed $1,931,435 for trolley operations for an initial five-year term with two, three-year option terms. It’s subject to annual budget approval.

“The trolley system is an integral part of the city’s parking management plan and helps reduce downtown parking demand and traffic congestion by allowing visitors to utilize peripheral parking lots and ride the trolley throughout the city,” the staff report reads.

Historically, the city has hired part-time employees to serve as trolley drivers and dispatchers. Many are school bus drivers who work for the city on weekends and during the summer break, which can lead to scheduling and staffing challenges at the end of summer and non-summer weekends. As a result, recruitment and management has become increasingly challenging and time-consuming for city staff.

Due to changes in minimum wage and labor regulations, as well as staffing challenges related to using part-time employees well over part-time hours, staff believes that additional full-time city employees would be required for the city to continue to successfully operate the trolley service in-house.

The contractor plans to hire at least eight full-time employees, in addition to part-time and seasonal staff.

“Shifting to a contracted services model will significantly reduce the administrative burden related to seasonal hiring, as well as processing biweekly timesheets for 90 to 100 employees, freeing up resources in the city’s Finance and Human Resources divisions,” the staff report reads. 

The city would continue to hire part-time seasonal trolley ambassadors who provide directions at peripheral parking lots, major trolley stops, and onboard trolleys during the summer. A full-time transit supervisor would also be hired to oversee the contractor’s day-to-day operations, ensure compliance with required performance measures, respond to customer comments, and oversee the ambassadors and fueler/washers.

Contracted services would also allow increased flexibility to adjust staffing levels when necessary to meet service demand, while also reducing the city’s risk related to accident, injury, and worker’s compensation claims.

“Shifting from an in-house to a contracted trolley operation offers several benefits,” the staff report reads. “Working with a contracted operator will allow the city to continue to operate a reliable, cost-effective transit system using a staffing model that better aligns with the current scope of the city’s trolley services, which has grown significantly during the past 10 years.”

Council directed staff on August 11 to issue a request for bids for a contracted trolley operator. The trolleys would continue to be owned and maintained by the city, but operated by contract employees.

In addition to the regular Canyon, Coastal, and Summer Breeze routes, council directed staff to start a pilot program in fall for on-demand residential transit service in lieu of hourly trolley service on the Top of the World, Arch Beach Heights, and Bluebird Canyon neighborhood routes.

If approved, LAZ would begin operating the trolley service on June 25.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Security enhancements at city hall, including cameras and key card door locks, are on the consent calendar for Tuesday’s Council meeting

Earlier during Tuesday’s meeting, on the consent calendar, council will consider awarding a $167,496 contract along with $17,000 (about 10 percent of the contract) for project-related expenses and change orders, for security improvements at city hall and 679 Ocean Ave.

The contract is with Am-Tech Security & Network Solutions, Inc., which submitted the lower of the two qualified bids (by about $27,000). Am-Tech has about 38 years of experience and provides similar services for several other Southern California cities, according to the staff report.

Following a 2019 building vulnerability assessment for the two locations, police and other authorities made several recommendations.

Staff published a request for proposals in December for security improvements including installing 23 security cameras located in the buildings’ interior and exterior and 37 key card door locks.

During regular business, council will also consider an ordinance to repeal and replace the Municipal Code chapter relating to accessory dwelling units, which would amend the city’s Local Coastal Program and request certification by the California Coastal Commission.

Sections of the city’s ADU ordinance are inconsistent with some updated state laws. Staff prepared an updated draft of the ADU ordinance, which was modified and approved by the Planning Commission on March 3.

Also on the agenda is an update to repairs at Laguna Canyon Channel along Frontage Road.

Recommendation includes directing staff to pursue the enhanced aesthetics improvements along the Laguna Canyon Channel between Frontage Road and Woodland Drive with the County of Orange and return to the City Council with the cooperative agreement to implement and fund the improvements. 

The item also includes directing staff not to pursue covering the portion of Laguna Canyon Channel between Frontage Road and Woodland Drive due to the high estimated cost of $8 million.

The regular meeting will be preceded by a joint City Council and Planning Commission Workshop to discuss Laguna Beach’s Housing Element.

The city is currently in the process of updating its Housing Element for the planning cycle of 2021-2029, which must be certified by the State Department of Housing and Community Development by October 15. The draft document is being presented on Tuesday for preliminary comments and input. The final adoption will happen sometime this summer.

The joint workshop agenda is available online here. The meeting starts at 3 p.m. To participate via Zoom, you may click here from your computer or smart phone. You may also call (669) 900-9128 and wait for instructions. The Webinar ID is 95340580634#. 

The regular Council agenda is available online here. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. To participate via Zoom, you may click here from your computer or smart phone. You may also call (669) 900-9128 and wait for instructions. The Webinar ID is 98119947004#. 

Both meetings can be watched live on Cox channel 852 or on the city’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net/agendas.

You may speak in person in Council Chambers by entering the chambers through the rear door, speak on your subject of interest, and immediately exit through the front door. A face covering must be worn while in the chambers, including while speaking.

Comments may be submitted on any agenda item or on any item not on the agenda in writing via mail to the City Clerk at: 505 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651, by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by using this interactive form: www.lagunabeachcity.net/comment. Email your comments to the City Clerk no later than 3 p.m. on April 5 (the day before the City Council meeting) in order for your comments to be submitted to the members of the City Council the day prior the meeting, which provides them sufficient time to review the comments. 

You may continue to provide written comments up to 12 p.m. on April 6 (the day of the meeting). While these comments will be provided to the City Council at 2 p.m. on April 6, the council members may not have sufficient time to review them prior to the meeting.

LB Chamber of Commerce to host 3rd annual Golf Tournament on May 17 

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce will host its 3rd annual Golf Tournament presented by Julie Laughton Design Build on Monday, May 17, at the beautiful Aliso Viejo Country Club. 

Located in the hills of Saddleback Valley and surrounded by spectacular views of pristine mountain ranges and picturesque valleys, Aliso Viejo Country Club is an oasis from the fast-paced life of Orange County. 

The proceeds from the event will benefit the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, a vital business and community advocate.

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

2nd annual Golf Tournament held in 2019 

Golf Tournament tickets are going fast at the low price of $175 for individual golfers, $700 for foursomes. The Chamber promises all participants a fun day of golfing, networking opportunities, prize-winning chances, and delicious dining options.

“We are anticipating a sold-out tournament this year,” said Sandy Morales, President & CEO of the Laguna Beach Chamber. “We are very thankful that Julie Laughton Design Build has decided to be our presenting sponsor!”    

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photo

Guests enjoying the 2019 tournament 

Contests and surprises will be offered throughout the day and participants will have the opportunity to “Beat a Pro.” There will also be a raffle and silent auction featuring amazing items donated by generous Chamber members and sponsors. Starting with Bloody Mary’s and ending with a lovely dinner, you will not want to miss this amazing day. 

To reserve your spot or become a sponsor, click here.