LAGUNA BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

May 11, 2007 12 AM PT

The following is from the Laguna Beach City Council meeting of May 1:

EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

National Hospital Week was recognized in Laguna with a proclamation honoring South Coast Medical Center’s history and contributions to the community.

The hospital treated 230,000 patients in 2006, including 12,000 visits to emergency room, Schneider said.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Billy Nicolai asked the council to appropriate funds for a memorial plaque and, if possible, a bench to recognize the late Dr. Gene Atherton’s contributions to the city, which included helping to found the then-Free Clinic. Mayor Toni Iseman said a plaque would be appropriate.

Boy Scout Troop 38 member Christian Menes requested a game arcade be built in Laguna.

“It would make kids happy and bring a lot of money to the city for projects,” Menes told the council. “Another sophisticated, good reason for an arcade is the kids [now] have to go all the way to Irvine and spend all their money.”

ALISO SUBCOMMITTEE

The council voted to delay appointment of two of its members to an Aliso Canyon Golf Course and Inn project subcommittee that will work with city staff and representatives of developer Athens Group.

Councilman Kelly Boyd and Mayor Toni Iseman have been serving as the council’s subcommittee, considering options that have been suggested.

The item is to be on Tuesday’s agenda.

COUNCIL/STAFF CHAT

City Clerk Martha Anderson reported on behalf of City Treasurer Laura Parisi, who was out of town, that the Laguna Relay for Life raised more than $100,000, substantially above the $80,000 goal. A special thanks went to the city’s firefighters, who provided dinner and breakfast for the participants.

Iseman announced that dirt hauled from Camp Pendleton through town is causing some of the congestion that is clogging the highway.

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:

Minutes of the adjourned and regular meeting of April 17;

General warrants totaling $40,000, disbursed March 30; $1,944,249.44 and $2,250 disbursed April 4; $818.15, disbursed April 12; and the March 29 payroll of $573,171.07 and the May 12 payroll of $598,784.33.

Resolution extending the Bluebird Canyon Emergency Declaration, which is valid for only 21 days and must be renewed.

Authorize the city manager to pay Villa Ford $258,000 for four trucks outfitted with utility beds.

REGULAR ORDER OF BUSINESS

Let the Games Begin Online, 5-0

The council approved a proposal by Community Services Director Susan Cannan to contract with Active Network Inc. to provide online registration for recreation department programs. Cost to the city: $10,991.

Landscape Appeal Granted, 4-1

The council voted to approve a proposal to enlarge a window and modify a previously approved landscape plan at 2495 Irvine Cove Crest that the Design Review Board denied.

Iseman voted against the approval.

LAGUNA BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

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