CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

The following is from the Jan. 8 meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council.

? PUBLIC COMMENT

Editor’s note:Members of the public generally are allowed three minutes each to comment on issues not on the meeting agenda. The time may be shortened or lengthened at the discretion of the council.

?Visitor and Conference Bureau President Karen Philippsen announced Laguna Beach was the only California city in the top 10 retirement areas in the country, as ranked by Frommer’s Publication in terms of safety, convenience of living and comfort.

She also announced the North American Travel Journalists Assn rated Laguna Beach in a first-place tie with Seattle for best overall press and media kit.

“This is especially exciting when Seattle, Wash., has a $9 million budget,” Philippsen said.

The kit includes a pen with a USB port that can connect journalists to the kit and additional photographs online.

?Former School Board member Karl Schwarz asked if any action had been taken on the issue of the day labor site in the council’s closed session. (See related story on page A1)

Schwarz complimented the city attorney, city manager and the City Council for their “robust” defense against the Eileen Garcia lawsuit.

“This is not an immigration issue, it is local action to benefit residents,” Schwarz said.

?Bruce Hopping said Caltrans had finally repaired the stop light at Diamond Street and South Coast Highway about which he had repeatedly complained to the city.

The city has no jurisdiction over the highway.

COUNCIL/STAFF CHAT

?City Clerk Martha Anderson noted that anyone wishing to vote in the February primary needs to be registered by Jan. 21. Registration information is available in her office at City Hall. For more information, call (949) 497-0705.

?Council member Iseman was pleased that Waste Management had added two new compressed natural gas trucks. She also asked for, and the council agreed by consensus, funds for a League of California Cities trip, set for March 8-12, to Washington D.C. for her and Council member Elizabeth Schneider.

?Council member Kelly Boyd said the Homeless Task Force will recommend short- and long-term solutions at the Jan. 22 council meeting.

? CONSENT CALENDAR

Consent calendar items get approved in one motion unless a member of the council, staff or public “pulls” the item, which then requires opening it for public comment and a separate vote.

Approved without comment:

?Minutes of the Dec. 4 adjourned and regular meeting.

?Denial of a claim filed by William and Denise Topaz for damages of an undisclosed amount, referred to the city’s claims adjuster. The claim relates to existing claims regarding a slope failure.

?General warrants of $3,423,506, issued Nov. 11, 2007; $3,075,702.57, issued Dec. 14; and 2,271,189.15, issued Dec. 28; and payroll No. 12, in the amount of $630,964.55, issued Dec. 6; and Payroll No. 13, in the amount of $601, 643.53, issued Dec. 20.

?The City Treasurer’s Monthly Report for November 2007.

?A $15,200 contract to Ace Pipeline to video inspect some city storm drain pipes.

?A resolution and hourly part-time pay schedule, which included a 5% pay range adjustment for identified positions, effective June 30; established the new positions of Fire Prevention Officer I and Pool Supervisor; changed the title of Traffic Control Attendant to Police Aide, and adjusted the range assignments for the various positions.

?Revocable encroachment permits at 31182 Monterey Drive for on-grade paving, low walls and front entry stairs in the unimproved public right of way; and at 30872 Driftwood Drive for at-grade paving in the unimproved right of way.

?A resolution committing the city to fund its share of transportation programs contained in the 2008 Regional Transportation Improvement Program, through fiscal year 2011/12. The city must commit to the funding in order to receive federal and state transit funds.

Pulled for discussion:

?Acceptance of a Department of Homeland Security $270,739 grant for the purchase of new self-contained breathing apparatuses and devices to locate missing firefighters. Pulled by Schneider to commend the fire department for its great job in securing grants. Approved 5-0

? CRESCENT BAY INN REZONED 5-0

Second reading of the ordinance that changed the westerly 50 feet of a parcel at 1435 N. Coast Hwy. from Residential Low Density Zone to Commercial Neighborhood Zone. The California Coastal Commission will be asked to certify the Local Coastal Plan amendment.

? STREET ENDS 5-0

The council approved the expenditure of $2,500 from the Brooks Street Stairs project budget for the design of utility undergrounding at the end of street; authorized the city manager to execute an agreement on behalf of the city with the property owner at 1205 Ocean Front, based on the general terms and conditions listed in the agenda bill; awarded a $40,200 contract to Morris Skenderian & Associates for the final design of the Brooks Street steps and landscaping, contingent upon execution of the agreement.

The city’s $205,000 budget for the project was augmented by the Coastal Commission, which levied Three Arch Bay $70,000 because of its access project to a beach that is not accessible to the public. A neighbor to the city’s project also has offered a $35,000 contribution to the project.

City Engineer Steve May opined that a nice project could be done with proposed funding.

? PTC RECOMMENDATIONS 5-0

?Staff will invite the neighbors on Holly Drive to measure the road to be used to prepare a map showing locations where 17-foot long, 6 1/2 -foot wide parking spaces could be located while still leaving 16-foot travel way; and directed staff to return to the council by April with recommendations.

?Any parking restrictions on Nestall Road, previously established by resolution, will be eliminated and a no parking zone on the easterly side of the road will be established between the residences at 3044 and 3053.

?Staff was instructed to write to Caltran and ask for the installation of a traffic signal at Oak Street and South Coast Highway.

? LAGUNA CANYON UNWIRED 5-0

The City Council directed the city manager to ask Southern California Edison to prepare conceptual plans with options and cost estimates to underground utility lines along Laguna Canyon Road from downtown to El Toro Road.

Edison Regional Manager Steve Nelson said the utility would be happy to work with the city on the project.

The undergrounding project was proposed by council members Iseman and Schneider, both concerned about the fire hazard caused by flailing wires, not to mention the traffic problems when a pole goes down and blocks one of the two roads in and out of Laguna.

Frank said the city may want to focus on Big Bend.

“That’s where we have a lot of cars hitting poles on both sides,” Frank said. “We are talking about picking spots where we can get the most bang for the bucks.”

? APPEAL DECISION PUT ON HOLD 5-0

After adjourning to a closed session to discuss the possibility of litigation, the council delayed a decision on a proposal for landscaping and hardscaping at 1377 Gaviota Drive.

The delay will allow time for the property owner and the neighbors to try to reach a compromise.