EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS Bill Wood, chair of the...

EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

Bill Wood, chair of the Orange County Human Relations Commission,

presented a certificate of recognition to Laguna Beach for its

efforts to reduce hate crimes.

“We honor Laguna Beach with this certificate in recognition of

your effort to create a safe and inclusive community,” Wood told the

council.

Wood said there were few reports of gay bashing and ethnic slurs

in Laguna in 2003-04, but pointed out that these are underreported

crimes.

*TREASURER’S REPORT

City Treasurer Laura Parisi reported a $6 million increase in the

city’s cash and investments over the same period last year.

“Good news, huh?” Parisi said.

WHAT IT MEANS

More money for the city to do more.

TRASHED WASTE CONTAINERS 5-0

The City Council gave preliminary approval to changes in the Solid

Waste Collection ordinance pertaining to the storage of trash

containers on noncollection days.

“The major complaint is about people who never conceal

containers,” Councilwoman Iseman said.

Under the revision the containers may be put out on the street

after noon the day before trash is to be collected and stay there

until noon of the day after collection. On all other days, the

containers are supposed to be concealed from public view.

Exemptions will be allowed when concealment is deemed by the

director of Public Works to be “practically impossible” or would cost

more than $2,000.

Staff will prepare and distribute a newsletter to the public no

later than June 15 on the proper storage of the containers.

The proposed ordinance change will have a second reading for final

approval at the Tuesday council meeting.

WHAT IT MEANS

Violations will be treated as misdemeanors and fines can be

levied.

NYES PLACE TRAFFIC MITIGATIONS 5-0

The City Council unanimously voted to remove yellow lane

delineators and to rescind a council vote to install speed humps on

lower Nyes Place.

Residents said the delineators caused more problems than they

solved. An expert’s opinion is what is needed to resolve their

issues, they said.

Two problems confront Nyes Place property owners: speeding

vehicles and runaway vehicles.

They have asked the council to consider speed tables -- less

hazardous than speed bumps on the downhill, decorative brick

intersections -- that might get the attention of speeders, and a

turn-out for vehicles that in the past have crashed into homes when

the driver lost control. Most of all they want an independent traffic

study.

City Engineer Steve May told the council there is no place to

construct a turn-out that meets code. Below-standard construction

could possibly render the city vulnerable to lawsuits, but other

communities have done it.

“Despite the recommendations of the city attorney and the city

engineer, I think we ought to create some place for out-of-control

vehicles,” City Manager Ken Frank said.

WHAT IT MEANS

No speed bumps. No delineators. Staff was directed to add

sidewalks to certain sections of Nyes Place and to investigate a

turn-out, that would be included in the council’s budget

considerations.

ACCESS TO DEVELOPMENT PLANS 5-0

Councilwoman Iseman said she has received complaints about

difficulty in getting access to files on development plans and

incomplete files.

Proposals to improve access and procedures included design and

construction professionals to initial plans and all changes.

“I look at plans every day and when I have to initial them, I take

a little more care,” Engineer Sid Danenhauer said.

Danenhauer also suggested requiring two sets of 8 1/2 by 11 inch

plans, so that one was always available and sized for easy copying.

He said all rules for plan handling should be rigorously enforced.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council directed the city manager to review suggestions that

might improve public access to plans for structures in the approval

process and voted to designate a staff member and a council member to

meet with concerned citizens.

Iseman volunteered.

UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING 5-0

The council reviewed a proposed change in the method of

determining assessment costs for proposed underground utility

assessment district 99-5, which includes Loma Terrace and Bent

Street.

WHAT IT MEANS

Staff and the assessment engineer will revise the preliminary

report to apply a parcel dimension factor to special benefits for

each parcel.

COMMUNITY/SENIOR CENTERS COSTS 4-0

City Manager Frank estimated the total cost of constructing the

senior and community centers with underground parking on Third Street

at $6.5 million -- $9.7 million if construction costs increase by 10

% before the start of the work.

“We won’t know if that is enough until we have a design and get

estimates,” Frank said.

Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman recused herself because she owns

property within 500 feet of the project and state law prohibits her

from voting on it.

WHAT IT MEANS

The withdrawal of the Laguna Beach Community Clinic from the

project reduces the city’s costs -- which would have included parking

under the clinic -- the number of parking spaces and the access lane

to the centers.

Two levels of underground parking will provide 134 spaces for

center patrons and the public.

A revised architectural agreement with the architectural firm will

be signed and the city will absorb the costs of preliminary expenses

attributable to the clinic.