CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

The following is from the March 24 meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council.

Fireworks approved

The council awarded a contract to Pyro Spectaculars in the amount of $22,000 for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city’s annual public fireworks display will be presented July 4 at Monument Point in Heisler Park. This will be the 20th year Pyro Spectaculars has provided the show.

  Pageant tickets policy revised

The council approved a city ticket policy applicable to tickets given to city officials the Pageant of the Masters in order to conform to new regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

WHAT IT MEANS

The new ticket policy is designed so city officials do not have to report the tickets as gifts to the FPPC.

The Pageant annually provides the city with eight tickets to its performances.

The policies prohibit selling the tickets, or transferring them to any person other than members of the official’s immediate family, except in certain instances.

It also designates the city manager as the official ticket administrator.

Third Street Center bench approved

The council approved an expenditure of $35,000 for an artist-designed bench by Gerard Stripling and Michele Taylor at the Community/Senior Center, 380 Third St.

WHAT IT MEANS

The limestone bench, with bronze and glass shoes underneath, will satisfy the city’s requirement for Art in Public Places.

Committee reappointments

After interviewing a number of applicants, the council reappointed Diane Leemon, David Mitchell and Tim Templeton to the TechComm Committee for terms to April 1, 2011; and reappointed Mollie Bing, Bonnie Hano, James Ward Henry and Linda Morgenlander to the Heritage Committee for terms to April 1, 2011.

WHAT IT MEANS

No new faces on the TechComm or Heritage Committees.

Interior signs revision

The council approved, 4-0, with Councilwoman Jane Egly absent, revisions to the city’s sign regulations that require interior signs in a business to be invisible from the street. No one from the public spoke on the measure.

WHAT IT MEANS

Business owners will have to ensure that they do not post signs within their buildings or shops that people can see from the outside.

Agate parking meters rejected

The council voted against installing four-hour parking meters in the 100 block of Agate Street as recommended by City Manager Ken Frank, who told the council that there is room on the street for three more parking spots.

Councilwoman Verna Rollinger said the issue should go to the Parking/Traffic/Circulation Committee.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson asked why meters should be there at all, to which Councilwoman Toni Iseman responded that “Free parking is no parking” because people leave their vehicles in free parking spots.

Pearson said she would not support the meters because neighbors in the area have expressed opposition.

A motion by Councilwoman Jane Egly to approve the meters failed on a vote of 3-2. Voting “no” were Mayor Kelly Boyd, Pearson and Rollinger.

WHAT IT MEANS

Parking meters will not be installed.

Fern Street subdivision OK’d

The council quickly approved required permits and a variance for a condominium subdivision at 200 Fern St. Iseman left the dais because she lives within 300 feet of the property.

Some 26 people filled the council chamber, many with children in arms, in support.

Boyd asked for a show of hands as to who supported or opposed the project, and, with no one in opposition, moved for a straw vote of the council, which led to a final vote of 4-0 in favor.

WHAT IT MEANS

The project moves forward, but is still subject to review by the Design Review Board.