Laguna Beach — 2025-03-11

1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-\nEXISTING LITIGATION\nPursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)\nOne (1) case: Dornin v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange\nCounty Superior Court, Case No. 30-2021-01183025-\nCU-WM-CJC

2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-\nANTICIPATED LITIGATION\nInitiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code\nSection 54956.9(d)(4)\nOne (1) case

3. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT\nPursuant to Government Code section 54957(b)(1)\nTitle: City Attorney

4. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS\nPursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6\nAgency Designated Representatives: Scott Tiedemann,\nSpecial Employment Counsel, Liebert Cassidy\nWhitmore\nUnrepresented Employee: City Attorney\nC. RECESS FROM CLOSED SESSION, RETURN TO\nOPEN SESSION\n*** REGULAR MEETING - 5:00 p.m.***\nA. ROLL CALL – 5:00 P.M.\nB. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Councilmember Whalen\nC. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT(S).\nA Closed Session report shall be provided, as required\npursuant to California Government Code Section 54950 et\nseq.\nD. PRESENTATIONS.\nThe City Council shall from time to time recognize\nindividuals and organizations and present awards or\nCertificates of Appreciation, or receive special presentations,\nas previously scheduled and described below.\n1. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 50TH\nANNIVERSARY OF THE LAGUNA BEACH\nSENIORS\nRecommendation: Approve the Proclamation\nrecognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Laguna Beach\nSeniors.\nProclamation\nE. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE COUNCIL\nAGENDA.\nAs may be deemed necessary by the City Manager, agenda\nitems may from time to time be deleted from the agenda; in\nsuch event, the City Manager shall endeavor to provide as\nmuch advance notice to the community as reasonably\npossible about the removal of such items. Agenda items may\nonly be added in accordance with Government Code Section\n54950 et seq.

1. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 50TH\nANNIVERSARY OF THE LAGUNA BEACH\nSENIORS\nRecommendation: Approve the Proclamation\nrecognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Laguna Beach\nSeniors.\nProclamation\nE. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE COUNCIL\nAGENDA.\nAs may be deemed necessary by the City Manager, agenda\nitems may from time to time be deleted from the agenda; in\nsuch event, the City Manager shall endeavor to provide as\nmuch advance notice to the community as reasonably\npossible about the removal of such items. Agenda items may\nonly be added in accordance with Government Code Section\n54950 et seq.

10. SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR LAGUNA BEACH\nCOMMUNITY LAND TRUST\nRecommendations:\n(1) Authorize the City Manager to execute a\nConsultant Services Agreement with Harris &\nAssociates, Inc. in the amount of $81,000 to establish\nand form the Laguna Beach Community Land Trust;\n(2) Authorize the City Manager to approve change\norders for unforeseen circumstances in an amount not\nto exceed $8,100;\n(3) Appropriate $16,100 for the contract for\nConsultant Services to Establish a Community Land\nTrust from the City’s Housing Fund; and\n(4) Find the action exemption from the California\nEnvironmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA\nGuidelines section 15060.

11. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR HISTORIC\nPROPERTY EVALUATION SERVICES\nRecommendations:\n(1) Authorize the City Manager to execute a\nConsultant Services Agreement with ASM Affiliates in\nthe amount of $106,991.20 for historical property\nevaluation services; and\n(2) Temporarily, reappropriate $107,000 from the\nCommunity Development Special Programs budget\nfor this project, with the intent to restore the funding\nas part of the 2025-25 budget.

12. AMENDMENTS TITLE 25 (ZONING) OF THE\nMUNICIPAL CODE AND LOCAL COASTAL\nPROGRAM AS MODIFIED BY THE\nCALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION; AND\nDETERMINING THAT NO FURTHER\nENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED\nPURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE\nSECTION 21166\nRecommendations:\n(1) Waive second full reading and adopt by title only\nan Ordinance titled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE\nCITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA\nBEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CERTAIN\nPORTIONS OF TITLE 25 OF THE LAGUNA\nBEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND THE CITY’S\nLOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM, AS MODIFIED BY\nTHE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION;\nAND DETERMINING THAT NO FURTHER\nENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW IS REQUIRED\nPURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE\nSECTION 21166;” and\n(2) Adopt the Resolution titled, “A RESOLUTION OF\nTHE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA\nBEACH, CALIFORNIA, ACKNOWLEDGING\nRECEIPT OF THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL\nCOMMISSION’S CERTIFICATION INCLUDING\nMODIFICATIONS; ACCEPTING AND AGREEING\nTO THE SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS; AND\nEVIDENCING FORMAL ACTION TAKEN TO\nSATISFY MODIFICATIONS BY ADOPTING\nORDINANCE NO. 1712 AMENDING CERTAIN\nPORTIONS OF TITLE 25 OF THE LAGUNA\nBEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND THE CITY’S\nLOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM; AGREEING TO\nISSUE COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMITS FOR\nTHE AREA IN THE LOCAL COASTAL\nPROGRAM, AS AMENDED; AND REQUESTING\nFINAL CERTIFICATION BY THE CALIFORNIA\nCOASTAL COMMISSION; AND DETERMINING\nTHAT NO FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL\nREVIEW IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PUBLIC\nRESOURCES CODE SECTION 21166.”

13. RENEWAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES\nAGREEMENT FOR NETWORK FIREWALL\nMAINTENANCE\nRecommendations:\n(1) Authorize the City Manager to execute a service\nagreement with Sidepath for Palo Alto Firewall\nmaintenance for an amount not to exceed $161,359 for\nthe period of March 31, 2025, through March 31,\n2026; and\n(2) Authorize the City Manager to extend the\nagreement for up to two additional one-year terms,\nprovided that the annual cost increase does not exceed\n10% of the previous year’s rate and that sufficient\nfunding is available in the approved budget.

14. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING\nPROPOSED CHAPTER 10.16 TO THE LAGUNA\nBEACH MUNICIPAL CODE, REGULATING E-\nBIKES AND OTHER ELECTRIC\nTRANSPORTATION DEVICES IN THE CITY\nRecommendations:\n(1) Introduce and waive first reading for the\nOrdinance titled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY\nCOUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH,\nCALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 10.16\n(ELECTRIC BICYCLES AND OTHER ELECTRIC\nTRANSPORTATION DEVICES) TO TITLE 10\n(TRAFFIC) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH\nMUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH\nREGULATIONS ON THE OPERATION OF\nELECTRIC BICYCLES AND OTHER ELECTRIC\nTRANSPORTATION DEVICES IN THE CITY, AND\nFINDING THE ACTION IS NOT A PROJECT\nREQUIRING FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL\nREVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA\nENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT”;\n(2) Direct staff to return with the Ordinance for a\nsecond reading at the March 25, 2025, Regular City\nCouncil meeting; and\n(3) Find that this Ordinance is not subject to the\nCalifornia Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA,”\nPublic Resources Code section 21000 et seq.) because\nit does not qualify as a "project" under CEQA, or in\nthe alternative, finding the Ordinance exempt from\nCEQA under State CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3).

15. 2024 HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS\nREPORT\nRecommendations:\n(1) Receive and file the 2024 Housing Element Annual\nProgress Report;\n(2) Provide direction and authorization for:\na. Procuring consultant services to rezone\nresidentially zoned institutionally owned\nproperties and conducting the required\nenvironmental review;\nb. Modifying the Senior Home Repair\nProgram;\nc. Providing the Housing Element Annual\nProgress Report and any other housing\nprogram updates on an as needed basis;\nand\n(3) Find that the recommended actions do not qualify\nas a project pursuant to the California Environmental\nQuality Act Section 15378(a).

16. COMMUNITY AND RECREATION CENTER\nINTERIM USE PLAN UPDATE\nRecommendations:\n(1) Receive and file the Community and Recreation\nCenter (CRC) Interim Use Plan update;\n(2) Direct Transit and Community Services to pursue\nappropriate permitting process to create the art room\nas an artist workspace;\n(3) Direct Public Works to pursue appropriate\npermitting process to convert a portion of the grass\nfield to additional parking spaces and appropriate\n$150,000 from the Parking and Transit Fund;\n(4) Offer further direction as to whether to convert\nCRC classroom space for a community fitness center;\nand\n(5) Find the action not a project under the California\nEnvironmental Quality Act, or in the alternative, is\nexempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section\n15301.

17. REVISED FUND BALANCE FOR THE FISCAL\nYEAR 2023-24, MID-YEAR BUDGET\nMODIFICATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-\n24, AND A RESOLUTION APPROVING SALARY\nSCHEDULES\nRecommendations:\n(1) Update the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget by\naccepting June 30, 2024, ending fund balances;\n(2) Modify the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Budget\nand approve the additional appropriations and\nadjustments as recommended in the report with any\nchanges approved by the City Council;\n(3) Approve retaining estimated Property Tax\nrevenues above budget in the General Fund instead of\ntransferring them to the Housing Fund;\n(4) Approve transferring revenues estimated to be\ngenerated above the budget from Transient\nOccupancy Tax in the Capital Improvement Fund to\nthe General Fund;\n(5) Approve key measures to balance the General\nFund including a transfer from the Capital\nImprovement Fund, recognizing estimated salary\nsavings, and a salary freeze of certain identified\npositions;\n(6) Approve the closing out of Capital Projects across\nvarious Funds as outlined in the tables below and\noutlined in Attachment 3 totaling $16,005,183.\nUnencumbered funds will remain in the Capital\nProjects Fund;\n(7) Reduce the budgeted transfer for Fiscal Year 2024-\n25 from the Street Lighting Fund to the Wildfire\nMitigation Fund by $500,000 as a correction to prior\nyear;\n(8) Approve a transfer from the Wastewater CIP Fund\nto the Wastewater Operating Fund for $213,500 to\npay one-time invoice from the South Orange County\nWastewater Authority for the annual use audit\nsettlement and additional cash payout from the prior\nfiscal year;\n(9) Approve a transfer from the Capital Improvement\nFund to the Gas Tax Fund of $300,000 to fund\nongoing projects; and\n(10) Adopting the salary schedules for Fiscal Year\n2024-25 by adopting the Resolution titled, "A\nRESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE\nCITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA,\nSETTING PAY RANGES FOR CITY\nEMPLOYEES," which updated the compensation for\nemployees.

18. REVIEW OF MICROGRID LOCATIONS AND\nSYSTEMS\nRecommendations:\n(1) Receive the staff presentation on the analysis\nresults and:\na. Provide direction on site selection\npriorities;\nb. Approve a 24-hour battery backup as the\nstandard resiliency model for microgrid\nsites; and\nc. Provide direction on the preferred\npurchasing model for the microgrid system;\nand\n(2) Direct staff to prepare a contract with Staten Solar\nfor future City Council review.

19. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE\nAMENDING THE ZONING CODE AND LOCAL\nCOASTAL PROGRAM BY REPEALING AND\nREPLACING CHAPTER 25.17 OF THE LAGUNA\nBEACH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING\nACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR\nACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO COMPLY\nWITH RECENT CHANGES IN STATE LAW, AND\nFINDING THE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY\nEXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA\nENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER\nSECTION 21080.17 OF THE PUBLIC\nRESOURCES CODE, AND SECTION 15265(C) OF\nTHE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES\nRecommendations:\n(1) Waive full reading and introduce for first reading\nby title only an Ordinance titled, “AN ORDINANCE\nOF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF\nLAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ITS\nZONING CODE AND LOCAL COASTAL\nPROGRAM BY REPEALING AND REPLACING\nCHAPTER 25.17 OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA\nBEACH MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO\nACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR\nACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, AND FINDING\nTHE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT\nFROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL\nQUALITY ACT UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES\nCODE SECTIONS 21080.17 AND 15265(C) OF THE\nSTATE CEQA GUIDELINES;” and\n(2) Find that the adoption of the proposed ordinance\nis statutorily exempt from review under the California\nEnvironmental Quality Act under Public Resources\nCode section 21080.17 and section 15265(c) of the\nState CEQA Guidelines.

2. MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS\nRecommendation: It is recommended by the City Clerk\nthat the City Council approve the minutes of the Regular\nMeeting of the City Council of February 25, 2025.\nMinutes

20. ADOPTION OF AN AMENDED URGENCY\nORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING CODE\nAND LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM BY\nREPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 25.17\nOF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE\nREGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS\nAND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS\nTO COMPLY WITH RECENT CHANGES IN\nSTATE LAW\nRecommendations:\n(1) Adopt an amended urgency ordinance which\nrepeals and replaces Chapter 25.17 of the Laguna\nBeach Municipal Code regarding accessory dwelling\nunits and junior accessory dwelling units to ensure\nthat the City’s regulations comply with state ADU law\nand continue to protect coastal resources during the\npendency of the Coastal Commission review and\ncertification of the non-urgency ordinance; and\n(2) Find that said action is statutorily exempt from\nreview under the California Environmental Quality\nAct under Public Resources Code section 21080.17.

3. APPROVAL OF GENERAL WARRANTS AND\nPAYROLL DISTRIBUTIONS\nWarrant #17: $4,815,438.95 02/14/2025\nPayroll # 17: $1,725,953.00 02/21/2025\nTotal: $6,541,391.95\nRecommendation: Approve the general warrants and\npayroll disbursements.

4. RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING\nDATE FOR THE ANNUAL SIDEWALK AND\nINTERSECTION VISIBILITY NUISANCE\nABATEMENT PROGRAM\nRecommendation: Adopt the Resolution titled, “A\nRESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE\nCITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA,\nDECLARING AND DETERMINING THAT\nVEGETATION OR WEEDS UPON THE STREETS,\nSIDEWALKS, PARKWAYS AND PRIVATE\nPROPERTY IN THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH\nARE A PUBLIC NUISANCE, AND DIRECTING THE\nCITY CLERK TO MAIL NOTICES TO DESTROY\nAND REMOVE SAID VEGETATION OR WEEDS AS\nREQUIRED BY LAW, AND FIXING THE TIME FOR\nHEARING OBJECTIONS AND PROTESTS, AND\nFINDING THE PROJECT EXEMPT FROM THE\nCALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT,”\nwhich will set a public hearing date of May 6, 2025, for\nthe Annual Sidewalk and Intersection Visibility\nNuisance Abatement Program.

5. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF\nLAGUNA BEACH TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING\nDATE FOR THE ANNUAL WEED ABATEMENT\nPROGRAM\nRecommendation: Adopt the Resolution titled, “A\nRESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE\nCITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA,\nDECLARING AND DETERMINING THAT WEEDS,\nRUBBISH, AND REFUSE UPON THE STREETS,\nSIDEWALKS, PARKWAYS AND PRIVATE\nPROPERTY IN THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH\nARE A PUBLIC NUISANCE AND DIRECTING THE\nCITY CLERK TO MAIL NOTICES TO DESTROY\nAND REMOVE SAID WEEDS, RUBBISH AND\nREFUSE, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, AND FIXING\nTHE TIME FOR HEARING OBJECTIONS AND\nPROTESTS,” which will set a hearing date of May 6,\n2025, for the annual Weed Abatement Program.

6. IRVINE COVE OCEAN LIFEGUARD SERVICE\nAGREEMENT\nRecommendations:\n(1) Authorize the City Manager to execute a service\nagreement with the Irvine Cove Community\nAssociation for the provision of ocean lifeguard\nservices; and\n(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute three\nadditional one-year extensions (Fiscal Year 2026/27,\nFiscal Year 2027/28, and Fiscal Year 2028/29), if the\ncontract terms essentially remain the same.

7. CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR\nDIGITAL PARKING PERMITS\nRecommendations:\n(1) Authorize the City Manager to execute a\nconsultant services agreement with IPS Group, Inc.,\nin an amount not to exceed $352,500, to provide\ndigital parking permit software for a three-year initial\nterm, with two one-year option terms;\n(2) Authorize the City Manager to approve future\nproject-related expenses and change orders with IPS\nGroup Inc., for an amount not to exceed $35,250; and\n(3) Find this action is not a project subject to the\nCalifornia Environmental Quality Act.

8. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE AMENDING\nCHAPTER 18.28 OF THE LAGUNA BEACH\nMUNICIPAL CODE REQUIRING USE OF QUIET\nPICKLEBALL PADDLES OR SIMILAR\nEQUIPMENT AT LANG PARK\nRecommendation: Adopt the Ordinance titled, “AN\nORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE\nCITY OF LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA,\nADDING SECTION 18.28.070 TO CHAPTER 18.28\n(USE OF PARKS) OF TITLE 18 (BEACH AND\nPARKS) OF THE LAGUNA BEACH MUNICIPAL\nCODE TO REQUIRE USE OF USA PICKLEBALL\nQUIET CATEGORY PICKLEBALL PADDLES OR\nSIMILARLY AUTHORIZED NOISE REDUCING\nEQUIPMENT AT LANG PARK AND FINDING THE\nACTION IS NOT A PROJECT REQUIRING\nFURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER\nTHE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY\nACT.”

9. DISCUSSION OF FIFTH VOLLEYBALL COURT\nAT MAIN BEACH\nRecommendations:\n(1) Direct staff to move forward with the appropriate\npermitting process for a pilot program for a\ntemporary fifth volleyball court that will be taken\ndown every four months at Main Beach from Labor\nDay to Memorial Day; and\n(2) Find the action exempt from State CEQA\nGuidelines Section 15304 - Class 4.