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Laguna Beach City news City of Laguna Beach, California

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

This Week's Laguna Beach City Council Actions:

City Council Votes to Begin In-Person Hybrid Meetings with Modified Public Participation

At its meeting Tuesday, the Laguna Beach City Council voted to begin in-person hybrid meetings in City Council Chambers. Under the new meeting format, City Council members will return to the dais with new plexiglass partitions installed (pictured) between them. Members of the public wishing to provide comments in-person will be able to address the City Council in Council Chambers while observing physical distancing and wearing a mask. After providing a comment, members of the public have to exit the room and can not stay to participate in further discussion. Zoom participation in the meetings will also continue, so the public may continue to safely participate and provide comments from home if they choose. All Committee and Commission meetings will continue via Zoom only until further notice.

Community Assistance and Cultural Arts Funding Grants Approved

At its regular meeting Tuesday, the City Council approved $250,000 in Community Assistance Grants for 28 community organizations and $200,000 in Cultural Arts Grants for 14 Cultural Arts organizations. Community Assistance and Cultural Arts Funding Grants provide annual support of non-profit organizations in Laguna Beach to offer services and programs to the community. This year the City Council expedited the granting process for organizations due to COVID-19.

Providence Mission Hospital Provides City Council Update on Campus Safety Enhancements

At its regular meeting Tuesday, the City Council received a presentation by Providence Mission Hospital staff regarding safety updates to its Laguna Beach campus. Hospital staff reported they will replace a lower parking lot attendant with a security guard, will add more security cameras throughout the hospital campus and will work with the Laguna Beach Police Department on future safety improvements and long-term discharge plans & procedures for recovery patients. (Photo courtesy Stu News Laguna.)

The Next Meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council is Tuesday, April 6.

Today's Podcast Update with Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen

In today's Podcast Update, Mayor Whalen discusses the three options presented by staff for safe, in-person City Council meetings.

We also hear his thoughts on the discussions about safety with Mission Hospital representatives, and we get an update on the search for a City Manager.

California COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expands Beginning April 1!

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that starting April 1, anyone age 50 and older can sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine. And as of April 15, all Californians 16 and older will be eligible!

Health care workers, long-term care facility staff and residents, people 65 and older, those aged 16 to 64 with certain health conditions and disabilities, and workers in food, agriculture, education, child care and emergency services are already eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Orange County is currently meeting the metrics to move to the Orange Tier under the state's blueprint for reopening the economy, but in order to make the move to the less restrictive tier the County must maintain these metrics for three weeks. Orange Tier will mean bars can open outdoors and increased indoor capacity for restaurants, gyms and movie theaters!

Mayor Pledges Laguna Beach Participation in National Challenge for Water Conservation

Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen is joining mayors across the country for the 10th Anniversary of the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation by asking residents to make a long-term commitment to manage water resources more wisely.

Last year, the City of Laguna Beach was named one of five national winners in the Challenge!

The annual challenge, which runs from April 1- 30, is a non-profit national community service campaign that encourages leaders to inspire their residents to make a series of simple pledges at mywaterpledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy.

Beginning April 1, Click the Link Below to Take the Pledge and Help Make Laguna Beach the Most Waterwise City in America!

Caltrans Overnight Construction Continues This Week on Coast Highway at Main Beach

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is scheduled to replace the box culvert on Coast Highway at Main Beach this spring from April 1 until May 24.

Overnight pre-construction lane closures on Coast Highway at Main Beach will continue tonight and tomorrow night from 8:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

A full Coast Highway road closure will be implemented overnight next Wednesday, March 31 (the night before Phase 1 construction officially begins) from 8:00 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. Additional full road closures may also happen overnight on April 7, 8, and 9.

During the full closures, there will be a detour in place utilizing Ocean Avenue, Beach Street, and Broadway. Signs will help guide drivers through the detour route.

The crumbling 100-year-old culvert located underneath Coast Highway at Main Beach is in need of replacement.

About this Project:

  • The construction contractor will be working double shifts as needed to meet our goal of being finished and fully open to traffic by Memorial Day.
  • Downtown traffic control will be provided 7 days/week to help mitigate traffic impacts due to the long-term lane closures needed to complete the work safely and quickly.
  • Businesses are open while construction is ongoing.

For questions regarding the project, please contact Caltrans at (657) 328-6000 or email Darcy Birden at darcy.birden@dot.ca.gov

City Council Actions Alleviate Resident Concerns in Bluebird Canyon

In September, the Laguna Beach City Council took action to establish parking restrictions on Bluebird Canyon Drive, Rancho Laguna Road and Morningside Drive in order to help alleviate resident concerns related to commercial vehicle parking, overnight parking, littering and fire safety in the area.

Parking restrictions established by the City Council include no commercial vehicle parking from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. in the area.

After six months, City staff is pleased to report the parking restrictions have addressed the community's concerns without impacting neighborhood parking!

Users Asked to Respect Open Space at Rancho Laguna Road & Morningside Drive

Bicycle motocross and jumping are hazardous recreational activities. Please respect your neighborhood, and the environment.

Property Rules:

  • No Motorized Bicycles or Vehicles
  • Bicyclists Must Wear Helmets & Yield to Pedestrians
  • Misuse Could Result in a Hazard to Safety
  • Use at Your Own Risk
  • Please Do Not Alter Terrain
  • Open Dawn to Dusk

For questions, please contact Reza Jafari, Deputy Director of Public Works at (949) 497-0735 or rjafari@lagunabeachcity.net

The event will be held at the City Maintenance Facilities, 1900 Laguna Canyon Road. COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. For more information, including a detailed list of acceptable items for shred and E-Waste items, visit the City’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net/recycling.

"Art That's Small at City Hall" Exhibition on Display Through April 15

The annual "Art That's Small at City Hall" exhibition is now on display through April 15 at Laguna Beach City Hall. The exhibition features 57 small-scale artworks by Orange County artists and is open to the public for viewing by appointment only. To schedule a viewing appointment, contact Arts Program Coordinator, Michael McGregor at mmcgregor@lagunabeachcity.net.
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