THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
Mayor Bob Whalen to Serve Third Term as Mayor & Councilmember Sue Kempf Chosen as Mayor Pro Tem
At the Tuesday, December 8 meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council, Mayor Bob Whalen was chosen to serve a third consecutive term as Mayor and City Councilmember Sue Kempf was chosen as the City's Mayor Pro Tem.
"It is always very rewarding to have the trust of the people again and the opportunity to serve again," Whalen said. "We're in a rough period right now and together we will have to work on getting through it, and I am sure we will. We have a great group of City Councilmembers here to guide us through that effort."
"I am honored to be here, and I thank the residents of Laguna Beach," said new Laguna Beach City Councilmember George Weiss. "I want to be a City Councilperson that works on both sides of the aisle, works with all of the City Councilmembers with respect, civility and a sense of cooperation on what's best for our City."
"I am very excited and I am ready to work," said new Laguna Beach City Clerk Ann Marie McKay. "I know I have big shoes to fill and I look forward to filling them."
Mayor Whalen Urges Support of Local Restaurants & Businesses This Holiday Season
Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen is urging community support of local restaurants and small businesses affected by the Regional Stay at Home Order.
"This is a time to rally for the local community - whatever you can do to support our local merchants. If there ever was a time, now is the time." - Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen
Buy Local This Holiday Season to Support Our Small Businesses & Restaurants!
We ask you to support our Laguna Beach restaurants and small businesses in the HIP District, North Laguna, South Laguna, and the Downtown area in any way possible this holiday season, as most of Laguna Beach is made up of small businesses struggling to survive this 10-month pandemic.
Retailers are now operating at 20% capacity and restaurants are offering take-out and delivery. Our community is encouraged to order take-out or delivery to support local restaurants, or purchase gift cards for your loved ones during the holiday season!
Many restaurants prefer you please pick up your food orders if possible, to avoid a delivery service charge being passed on to our local restaurants and always make sure to tip your servers!
The well-being of our community, visitors and guests is of the utmost importance and we are committed to doing everything we can to support and respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
Please remember to wear a face covering and social distance while shopping or picking up take-out in Laguna Beach.
Local Businesses & Customers Asked to Comply With State Orders
We understand the difficult situation our local businesses are in, but they must comply with the state orders.
The greater compliance we have, the quicker our region can return to a less restrictive tier and reopen more businesses. The City prefers that businesses voluntarily comply, but we will follow up with enforcement action if necessary.
According to Orange County Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau, customers should not be consuming food in public. Please consume all food for takeout & pick-up when you get home. Do not eat food outside of restaurants or businesses, while walking around or on public benches.
Vote for Your Favorite Laguna Beach Holiday Window Display!
The first ever Laguna Beach Holiday Window Decorating Contest is now underway!
The contest, sponsored by the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, has 17 participating businesses. The contest is moving online and pictures of the businesses will also be placed online for voting.
Click HERE to "Think Laguna First" and see participating businesses and then cast your VOTE for the People's Choice Award!!
YES! Playgrounds Are Now Open!
This week, the State updated its guidance that playgrounds may now remain open under the Regional Stay at Home Order to facilitate physically-distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise.
Alta Laguna Field will be closed starting Monday, December 14, 2020 – Monday, January 11, 2021. The fields are closed for their annual maintenance and turf renovation.
County of Orange Prepares for First Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine
County of Orange health officials were notified by the California Department of Public Health that the OC Health Care Agency should make preparations to receive 25,350 doses of Pfizer-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine on December 15, 2020.
The HCA will distribute this initial supply to Orange County hospitals for prioritization of their high-risk health care workers as part of Phase 1a of a multi-phased plan developed through the CDPH Community Vaccine Advisory Committee.
The Southern California Region currently has 9% ICU bed capacity. Orange County's ICU bed capacity is currently 4.9%.