Laguna Beach Community Newsletter

Laguna Beach City news City of Laguna Beach, California

THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

City of Laguna Beach Summer Trolley Service Starts Tomorrow!

All Trolley routes are FREE to ride!

The Trolley is Back! The City of Laguna Beach is pleased to announce that summer Trolley service will resume on Friday, June 25, 2021, on the Canyon, Coastal and Summer Breeze Routes.

Summer Trolley Routes

The Laguna Beach Trolley system uses alternative-fuel vehicles, offering a cleaner, greener way to get around town. For more information on summer Trolley service, call (949) 497-0766.

Track your Trolley in REAL TIME and get up-to-the-minute updates on trolley arrival and departure times, as well as maps and service alerts by using our Laguna Beach Trolley Tracker or download the Laguna Beach Trolley App to your mobile device on the App Store or GooglePlay.

This year, the Summer Breeze Trolley is serving a new FREE parking lot located at Brandman University in Irvine, near the 405/133 interchange. Drivers can park for FREE and experience a scenic open-air trolley ride down Laguna Canyon Road to the art festivals, beaches, and Downtown area every weekend this summer.

Per Federal law, face coverings must still be worn when using public transportation.

Welcome Back, Laguna Beach Trolley!

Public May Attend City Council Meetings in Person Beginning Next Week

The public has the option to attend Laguna Beach City Council meetings in person beginning Tuesday, June 29, with a capacity of up to 80 people in City Council Chambers. Face coverings will be required at the meetings if members of the public cannot provide proof of vaccination. City Council meetings will also continue to be offered in a hybrid format with an option to attend the meetings and participate online via Zoom.

The Next Meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council is Tuesday, June 29.

Click HERE for the June 29 City Council Agenda and Zoom Instructions!

City of Laguna Beach Announces New Assistant City Manager

Laguna Beach City Manager Shohreh Dupuis is pleased to announce the appointment of Ken Domer as the next Assistant City Manager for the City of Laguna Beach. Mr. Domer was selected from a talented pool of applicants following a comprehensive review process and will start in Laguna Beach on Monday, June 28, 2021.

Ken Domer has served as the City Manager of Fullerton and brings with him over 30 years of State, County and city experience in municipal government, 15 of which spent in city management. Prior to joining the City of Fullerton in 2017, Mr. Domer served as the Assistant City Manager of Huntington Beach, City Manager of Villa Park, and Assistant City Administrator for the City of Placentia.

“Ken’s extensive experience providing day-to-day leadership of City operations of full-service cities along with his ability and experience in addressing challenges of coastal communities set him apart from other candidates,” said Laguna Beach City Manager Shohreh Dupuis. “I look forward to bringing him on board and working with him in this critical role to enhance our delivery of services, leverage technology to modernize our processes, and introduce greater efficiencies into our ongoing City operations.”

“I look forward to serving the residents and visitors of the City of Laguna Beach as Assistant City Manager and I am particularly excited to work together with such a capable City team. It will be our collective efforts that will allow us to achieve the goals set forth by the City Council,” said Domer. “The chance to serve such a beautiful community in a place my family has enjoyed visiting for years makes me especially grateful to have been chosen for this role.”

Mr. Domer is the proud father of three daughters, and a lifelong resident of Orange County. He and his wife live in Orange.

This Week's Podcast Update With Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen

This week, Mayor Whalen discusses the October deadline to adopt a housing element that demonstrates a strategy to accommodate 394 units, designating 194 of them for low income residents. The Mayor also weighs in on the acquisition of the S. Laguna property, as a possible site for a new fire station.

Click HERE to Listen to Today's Podcast Update With Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen!

Small Business Spotlight: Laguna Beach Books Honored

Laguna Beach Books has been selected as part of the Small Business Spotlight for Assembly District 74! This Laguna Beach-based small business was founded in 2006 and is one of the last remaining independent bookstores in Orange County. On June 19, Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris was joined by Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen, Mayor Pro-Tem Sue Kempf, City Manager Shohreh Dupuis and Ambassador Chairman of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Annette Malinowsky to present a resolution in recognition of Laguna Beach Books.

City of Laguna Beach Fourth of July Activities

The City of Laguna Beach is anticipating large crowds for the July 4th holiday and is requesting the public’s cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors

The City fireworks show will originate from Monument Point at Heisler Park and will begin at approximately 9:00 p.m. on July 4.

Monument Point area will be closed all day on Sunday, July 4th. Additionally, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the area of Heisler Park from Myrtle Street to the Rockpile Beach stairs at Jasmine Street will be closed to the public to allow for fireworks preparation.

City Trolleys will operate under a modified schedule, the Coastal Route will run from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Canyon Route from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the Summer Breeze route from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The normal trolley schedule will resume on Monday, July 5.

The public is expected to observe all City park and beach ordinances, including:

No fireworks of any kind are allowed in Laguna Beach
No alcohol on the beaches
No smoking in public places
No drone use over City beaches, Heisler Park, Main Beach Park, Treasure Island Park, or Crescent Bay Park without a valid Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA
No tents, canopies, or portable barbeques are allowed in City beaches or parks
No dogs are allowed on City beaches from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the summer season, which extends from June 15 through September 10
All OC Park trails will be closed at sunset
The Laguna Beach Police, Fire, and Marine Safety Departments will be strictly enforcing all of the ordinances

After the fireworks show, expect heavy traffic as many visitors will be leaving via Laguna Canyon Road and Coast Highway. Members of the Police Department will be conducting increased traffic control to facilitate the flow of vehicles out of town. For traffic and emergency updates sign up for Nixle by texting 92651 to 888-777.

The City of Laguna Beach wants to wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day!

Marine Safety Department Ready for Summer

Your Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department is ready for a significant surge of crowds with increased aquatic, beach, and ocean activity as we head into the 4th of July holiday.

Tower lifeguards and lifeguard rescue units have extended patrol hours to accommodate beach usage in high-impact locations.

In addition to augmented hours, Marine Safety has added a new Rescue Watercraft, provided evening patrols for South Laguna beaches, and hired a Marine Safety Officer.

Lifeguard staff looks forward to providing ocean and aquatic rescue, emergency medical response, accident prevention, protection of marine resources, and ordinance enforcement to keep the public safe.

A Conversation With New Laguna Beach City Manager Shohreh Dupuis

This week, listen to an in-depth, and candid conversation with Laguna Beach’s first female City Manager, Shohreh Dupuis in a special podcast update

We discuss her top priorities as City Manager, the vetting process for prospective City employees, the scope of upcoming community and staff surveys, and what advice she gives to young people, and girls in particular.

Click HERE to Listen to a Special Podcast Update with New Laguna Beach City Manager Shohreh Dupuis!

Temporary Sound Art Installation at Heisler Park

Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK Begins July 1

On July 1, 2021, the City of Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Department will present Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK, a GPS-enabled work of public art in Heisler Park that uses music to illuminate the natural environment.

Click HERE to Watch the Video Trailer of SOUNDWALK

Created by composer Ellen Reid, SOUNDWALK is an immersive audio experience tailor-made for Heisler Park featuring its spectacular oceanfront park and beaches.

Ellen Reid is one of the most innovative artists of her generation. A composer and sound artist whose breadth of work spans opera, sound design, film scoring, ensemble, and choral writing, she was awarded the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Music for her opera, p r i s m. Since 2019, she has served as Creative Advisor and Composer-in-Residence for Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and she splits her time between her two favorite cities – Los Angeles and New York.

“This is an exciting departure from our traditional temporary installations and a beautiful way to enjoy the jewel that is Heisler Park,” said Adam Schwerner, Chair of the Laguna Beach Arts Commission. “There is no beginning, no end, no wrong or right way to participate, just your own way. As we experiment with new technology, we are, through our collaboration with Ellen Reid, able to expand the public art experience by immersing ourselves in music.”

How it works. After downloading the free app from ellenreidsoundwalk.com, put on your headphones and take a walk through the Heisler Park located at 375 Cliff Drive. Your movement will trigger the soundscape and musical cells, which Reid has carefully crafted to harmonize with the environment. The experience is guided by the listener, the path chosen dictates the music heard ensuring no two visits are the same. The installation can be experienced at any time. Heisler Park is open to the public from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Click HERE to Download the Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK App Now!

The Arts Commission and Cultural Arts Department hope you enjoy the temporary installation which has been funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

Pride 365 Event This Saturday at the Promenade!

This Saturday, June 26, Pride 365 will be decorating the Promenade on Forest in recognition of Pride Month!

In addition, they will be partnering with KXFM to play music and host the event between 12pm and 4pm.

Laguna Beach Pride 365 is a year-round organization that promotes the cultural diversity of Laguna Beach and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community. The City Council has previously supported Pride Month by displaying the Pride/Rainbow Flag at City Hall.

See YOU at the Promenade!

This Week's Look Back: Main Beach 1974

How exciting it must have been to watch the Main Beach Boardwalk being built! This was in 1974. The boardwalk created a window to the sea. How many times have you walked along the boardwalk admiring the beauty? Photo courtesy of Laguna Beach Historical Society.

Have a Question? Click HERE to Contact the City of Laguna Beach!

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