AROUND TOWN - May 30, 2008

Ranger added to park due to more cyclists, accidents

The rising number of mountain bicyclists — and accidents involving cyclists — has led the county parks department to add another ranger to the Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park, Laguna Beach City Manager Ken Frank told the City Council on May 20.

Incidents have included mountain cyclists being seriously injured and requiring air rescue from remote trails.

Barbecues galore at Heisler Park a concern for resident

Laguna Beach resident Jerry Caminio would like fewer barbecues at Picnic Beach when the Heisler Park area reopens after a major renovation.

Caminio asked the City Council on May 20 to look into the issue, but City Manager Ken Frank said he would not place an item on the council agenda to eliminate the barbecues.

“One reason is that we don’t want people bringing their own,” Frank said.

The park above the beach will have 11 barbecues — all but one of them close to their pre-renovation location, Assistant City Manager John Pietig said.

Mayor Jane Egly proposed revisiting the issue after the park project is completed to see if the renovation makes a difference.

City emergency team to hold its monthly meeting

The monthly meeting of the Laguna Beach Emergency Communications Team will be at the Laguna Beach Police Department Conference Room at 7 p.m. June 9.

Agenda items will include: applications and reissuance of ID cards, status of completion of FEMA 100 and 700 courses, preparations for the annual Field Day exercise, a review of the May Day event conducted by the American Red Cross Radio Communications, a review of grant applications, ballot transportation and communications activity, and FCC testing.

For more information, contact John Kountz, chief radio officer, LBECT, at KE6GFF@arrl.net, or by phone at (949) 494-8783. Additional information may be found at www.LagunaBeachraces.org

Residents invited to homeless forum June 14

The Laguna Beach Housing and Human Services Committee will hold a Community Homeless Forum at City Hall from 9 to 11 a.m. June 14.

Community members are invited to learn more about the homeless population in Laguna Beach, including impacts on the community and how the city is assisting the homeless in locating services and housing.

Some of the scheduled speakers include Assistant City Manager John Pietig, Police Chief Mike Sellers, Police Officer Jason Farris — who works with homeless — and representatives of the Orange County Mental Health Department, Homeless Court, the Chamber of Commerce, Laguna Beach Resource and Relief Center, Orange County Partnership, the Friendship Shelter and the Kennedy Commission.

City Hall is located at 505 Forest Ave. For more information call Carolyn Martin, principal planner, at (949) 497-0398.

Local businesses advised on criminal issues

Laguna Beach Police Chief Mike Sellers will educate business owners on how to identify counterfeit money, shoplifters, credit card fraud, identity theft and discuss how the department will protect businesses and merchants during the summer season at a Chamber of Commerce networking luncheon June 3.

The luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mozambique, 1740 S. Coast Hwy.

Admission is $20, including lunch, and reservations are required. Call (949) 494-1018 or visit www.lagunabeachchamber.org to reserve a seat.