CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

Dec. 1, 2006 12 AM PT

The following is from the Laguna Beach City Council meeting of Nov. 21:

EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

The Orange County Transportation Authority honored Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider for her contributions to the passage in the November election of Measure M, which will fund major road improvements.

Pearson-Schneider served on the League of Cities Super M Committee.

“The leadership of Elizabeth, combined with the efforts of her council and Super Committee colleagues and city staff, will provide Laguna Beach and all Orange County cities with the flexibility to allocate more than $2 billion in Measure M “fair share” funds to improve local streets,” said Orange Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Cavecche, vice chair of OCTA.

“For Laguna, it is estimated in the formula or ‘fair share” component alone, more than $17 million over the 30 years of the renewal plan will come directly to your city.”

CONSENT CALENDAR

[Editor’s note: Consent calendar items get approved in one motion unless a member of the council, staff or public “pull” the item, which then requires opening it to public comment and a separate vote.]

Approved without comment:

Denial of three claims for damages:

Ana Maria Patino claims an undetermined amount of damages, alleging she was falsely arrested and assaulted by a police officer;

Ana Hernandez and Susana Hernandez claim damages of more than $100,000. The claimants were involved in a collision with another vehicle on Laguna Canyon Road;

Sheila Diane Nahlen claims $20,174.62 in damages from a trip over an Edison utility cover in the sidewalk at Main Beach.

Mills Act contract with the owner of 939 Catalina St., a historic building, as recommended by the Heritage Committee. The state act authorizes the city to enter into 10-year contracts with owners of qualified historical structures who agree to comply with preservation restrictions in return of property tax reductions — the money then can be used to maintain or rehabilitate the structures.

Extension of the Weed Abatement contract with Stewart and Associates through June 2008. The contract, which has been renewed five times, was extended for two years at an hourly rate reduced from $16.50 to $15. The council also approved a hauling rate of $12.89 per bag.

Recommendations of the HIV Advisory Committee to allocate $4,000 to Laguna Beach Community Clinic, $2,000 to Laguna Shanti, $1,000 to AIDS Services Foundation and $1,000 to AIDS Care Team in Our Neighborhood in direct services funds.

Tsunami evacuation and warning sign program consistent with other county coastal communities, funded by the Public Works Department.

Patriots Day Parade date of March 3 and associated activities.

Pulled for discussion:

Purchase of the Haun property in Laguna Canyon for $585,000, which will be reimbursed by the Coastal Conservancy. The property will be leased to the county as part of Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Approved 4-0; Dicterow recused.

UTILITIES UNDERGROUNDING 5-0

The council voted to reduce assessments on specified parcels included in Underground Utility Assessment District 06-1, Cerritos and Dunning drives, Rim Rock, Upper Rimrock and Terrace Way; directed the city manager to cast ballots in favor of the district, which includes two city-owned parcels; and adopted the resolution confirming the assessments, designated the city treasurer to collect the assessments and awarded the $1,341,000 construction contract to Hood Corp., subject to the receipt of bond proceeds.

REVOCATION CONSIDERATION DENIED 3-2

A split City Council voted to deny a request to conduct a revocation hearing for a proposed new single-family home at 7 Lagunita Drive, which was approved by the Design Review Board. Iseman and Dicterow voted against the denial.

CITY HALL RECEPTIONIST 5-0

The council unanimously supported the concept of adding a receptionist to city hall, with space in the lobby. Funding will be considered in the 2007-08 budget discussions. The city manager will present a job description, proposed salary and cost estimate to reconfigure the reception area at the budget hearing scheduled for May.

OUT IN THE COLD 5-0

The council unanimously upheld the Planning Commission’s denial of a conditional-use permit for Cold Stone Creamery to open an ice cream shop at 247 Broadway where Baskin-Robbins used to be.

HERITAGE TREE 5-0

The council approved a permit for the removal of a heritage tree that the property owners at 341 Pearl St. had already chopped down.

Property owner Elizabeth A. Toomey said the Chinese elm was removed because it was diseased. Removal of a heritage tree requires the approval of the council and specific justifications for its removal.

Staff recommended replacing the heritage tree with a 72-inch box-sized Chinese elm, which the property owners opposed.

In a compromise, the council required no replacement on the site, but a $2,000 donation from the property owner will be used to buy a tree in the city where it can be enjoyed by the public.

CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

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