o7The following took place at the Oct....

o7The following took place at the Oct. 4 meeting of the Laguna Beach

City Council.

f7

LANDSLIDE

The council approved another extension of the declaration of

emergency for the June 1 landslide, and allocation of $2,775 to James

Moore and John Gustafson from funds donated for the landslide

victims.

Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider said housing has been found for

18 months for six families displaced by the Flamingo Road landslide

and for one year for one family.

DONATION

Carolyn Wood brought a gift for the council -- a podium light so

overhead lights can be doused during slide presentations, improving

television viewing. Wood also requested a public workshop on the

Senior/Community Center.

POLICE CHIEF

Councilwoman Toni Iseman’s request that the City Council approve

a bench and plaque in honor of retiring Police Chief James

Spreinewas approved by acclamation.

The request originated with members of the HIV Committee, for whom

Spreine has served as staff liaison.

RODENT INFESTATION

Georgina Valdez voiced concern about the rodent population

downtown, particularly on Forest Lane.

The council approved:

* settlement of a claim by Sandra Monahan, whose vehicle was

damaged when a fire engine backed into it in August. The claim was

for $6,000, the exact amount to be determined when repairs are

completed and vehicle rental is added;

* general warrants of $2,047,996.84 and a $589,934.38 payroll;

* revocable license and encroachment permits at 320 Moss St. and

455 Legion St.;

* a $251,300 contract to VanDell and Associates for the design of

fiscal year 2005-06 street rehabilitation project;

* acceptance of a $100,000 Federal Citizens Option for Public

Safety grant to pay part of the salaries of two police officers hired

under the program;

* guidelines for artist-designed benches at the Laguna Beach

branch of the Orange County Library;

* a lot line adjustment for properties at 31451 and 31456 Coast

Highway.

* authorization for the city manager to sign an agreement with

Caltrans for construction of a traffic signal on Laguna Canyon Road

at the Arts Festival grounds. The construction probably will not

begin until December of 2006.

OPEN-SPACE PURCHASE

The council approved a bid for parcel 644-467-16 in Arch Beach Heights, which is in the process of being sold for back taxes. The

minimum bid on the nonlegal building site is $3,750, the money to

come from the city’s open-space fund, which has a balance of slightly

more than $500,000.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city has a policy of purchasing such unbuildable lots for

modest amounts to retain them as open space.

EMERGENCY PLAN

The council approved the standardized Emergency Management System

Letter of Promulgation.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city’s plan is an extension of the state’s management plan and

must be reviewed and periodically revised to meet changing

conditions.

NO STAKE IN STAKES

Amendments to the Local Coastal Plan and the zoning ordinance of

the municipal code were approved on second reading. Anyone with a

financial interest will be precluded from certifying the building

envelope survey -- staking -- for a project to be reviewed for

design.

WHAT IT MEANS

Amendments to the municipal code take effect 30 after the second

reading is approved by council. The city will request that the

California Coastal Commission certify the amendment to the Local

Coastal Plan.

PRIVATE SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS

City staff introduced a proposed amendment to the municipal code

to set specific criteria for privately built retaining walls that

support public streets or other public facilities.

WHAT IT MEANS

The criteria would make the walls more durable, city building

official John Gustafson said.

TREE PROTECTION

Walls and drainage will be built to protect a rare pine tree in

the unimproved public right-of-way near a project at 572-576 Cliff

Drive. The construction plan proposed by an arborist was reviewed and

approved by a second arborist, as requested by Councilwoman Iseman.

WHAT IT MEANS

Iseman was persuaded to accept the approval after learning the

height of the wall was deemed sufficient to give the 41-inch-diameter

Torrey pine the best possible chance for survival.

LAGUNA CREEK RESTORATION

Senior Water Quality Analyst Craig Justice presented a rendering

of landscape plan for the restoration of a segment of Laguna Creek

and updated the council on the project, which he described as a small

community restoration.

WHAT IT MEANS

No council action was required.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME

The council approved a proposal to change the telecommunications

committee’s name to techcomm committee.

WHAT IT MEANS

The committee feels the new name better reflects its mission.

NEXT MEETING

The council will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday in closed session and at 6

p.m. for the public meeting, in the City Council Chamber, 505 Forest

Ave. On the agenda will be the Zimmerman storm drain, lifeguard

towers and more.

-- By Barbara Diamond