Briefly In The News
City manager’s message
•The Police Department will conduct drunk driver saturation patrols Thursday thanks to funds from the California Office of Traffic Safety, according to City Manager John Pietig’s Friday Update of April 22.
•About 50 children between the ages of 4 and 14 participated in the Laguna Beach Youth Invitational Track Meet at Laguna Beach High School on April 8, Pietig wrote. The top three boys and girls in each age division and event will represent the city at the Orange County track meet in May.
•The city website now has RSS feeds for City Council, Planning Commission and Design Review Board agendas, according to Pietig’s update. To subscribe visit https://www.lagunabeachcity.net and click the Council Agenda icon. Next, on the Meeting, Agenda and Minutes page click, “Subscribe via RSS feeds,” and follow the instructions. You will receive an e-mail notification with links every time a new agenda is posted.
•Mayor Toni Iseman announced the winners of the 2011 “Art That’s Small” competition April 7. The competition drew 126 entries and was juried by Carla Tesak Arzente, Salt Fine Art and member of First Thursday’s Art Walk; Brad Coleman, Laguna College of Art & Design; and Jeff Horn, Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn. The winners were: first place Elizabeth McGhee; second place John Cunningham; third place and City Hall Choice Yank Sefton; and honorable mentions Kacey Baker, Susan Linder, Kate Urshel and Annette Wimmer. This program is funded by the lodging establishments and city.
•The Arts Commission is accepting designs for interior banners displayed in the Council Chambers until 5 p.m. May 20. The theme is the “Scenery of Laguna Beach.” Winning artists will be awarded $1,000. The banners measure 3 by 10 feet. Application information is available on the city’s website.
•The Arts Commission voted unanimously April 11 to reopen the Artist Designed Bench Competition for an installation at Mountain Road and South Coast Highway. The commission will publish revised guidelines by mid-May.
•The New York and New Jersey Port Authority has made a donation of two metal beams salvaged from the structure of the World Trade Center, according to Pietig’s update. The beams, both measuring 72 by 36 by 12 inches, will be created into a public art installation as a remembrance of 9/11. Arrangements are being made to transport the beams from John F. Kennedy International Airport. The costs of transportation and creating the public art piece have been made possible through a donation by Laguna Beach resident Mark Porterfield.
•Repairs to the Main Beach Boardwalk will begin next week, according to Pietig’s update. The first week will involve dismantling the existing planking and timbers to allow for the replacement and straightening of several pilings. The replacement pilings should arrive on site the second week in May and all work is to be completed by May 27.
•The City Council is accepting applications for four seats on the Arts Commission and two on the Planning Commission, according to City Clerk Martha Anderson.
The Arts Commission is a seven-member commission with four actively participating in the arts. Commissioners serve a two-year term and are compensated $80 per month. Commission meetings are at 5:30 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
The Planning Commission is a five-member body that reviews and advises the council on items related to the development and modification of land uses within city limits. Planning Commissioners serve a two-year term and are compensated $230 per month. The regular meetings are at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Study sessions may be held as part of the regular meeting or at other specified times.
Applications are available in the city clerk’s office or on https://www.lagunabeachcity.net and must be filed by 5 p.m. May 31. All applicants will be interviewed by the council at 6 p.m. June 7 in the City Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave.
— Jamie Rowe