City Council Wrap-Up

The following is from the June 16 Laguna City Council meeting.

Sound idea approved, 5-0

A staff recommendation to adopt permanent regulations related to the use of sound equipment and loudspeakers in the city, on an urgency basis, was approved by the council.

The regulations are similar to interim regulations first put in place in December on an urgency basis while permanent measures were studied. The interim urgency ordinance was extended on March 3 for 120 days.

WHAT IT MEANS

The adoption of permanent amendments on an urgency basis ensures the new regulations will be in place and effective by the time the interim regulations expire. A four-fifths council vote was required to pass the urgency ordinance, which includes no amplification within 100 yards of hospitals, churches, schools, courthouses and City Hall while they are in use and for 30 minutes before and after use.

Nyes Place Sidewalk approved, 5-0

Nyes Place residents supported “Plan B” to build a sidewalk on the lower end of the street.

“I want to thank Bill Kelley,” Councilwoman Jane Egly said. “I don’t know when I have gotten more complete information.”

Kelley was the point man for the residents. If the construction of the sidewalk has to be delayed until after summer, a pedestrian pathway similar to a bike lane will be provided and the curb alongside the pathway will be painted red, with a “No Parking” sign posted for six spaces eliminated in the approved plan.

WHAT IT MEANS

The sidewalk will be constructed on the east side of the street in the right-of-way and a crosswalk will be added at 370 Nyes Place. Six parking spaces will be eliminated. A retaining wall in an earlier proposal will be eliminated.

Helping Hands gets parking, 5-0

The city has extended a hand to The Helping Hand World Wide, a nonprofit that feeds the needy.

“We contact groceries [stores] to supply food for people without jobs,” said Sita Helms, Laguna Beach director and a founder of the nonprofit.

“We have had about $1 million in donations and Albertson’s gave us three refrigerated trucks “” now I am a truck driver with stilettos.”

Helms said her organization has helped an estimated 16,000 people and is a resource for the Laguna Beach Resource and Relief Center.

The City Council agreed to help out by making space for two of the organization’s vehicles at the Corporation Yard in Laguna Canyon.

Although the city normally avoids allowing nonprofits to use city property without compensations, the economic times justify this exception, according to Councilwoman Iseman and Mayor Kelly Boyd, who co-sponsored the agenda item.

WHAT IT MEANS

Two Helping Hand vehicles will get a free ride at the city’s Corporation Yard on Laguna Canyon Road for three years in the off season “” the day after Labor Day through June 15.

Gates added to Third Street centers, 5-0

The Planning Commission recommended installing security gates to the vehicle and pedestrian entrances of the community and senior centers on Third Street, which required the approval of the City Council.

Entrances had been accessible 24 hours a day, which had resulted in security problem “” people found in the garage and the stairwell after operating hours, overnight and before opening. Youth have also been using the garage for a skateboard park.

WHAT IT MEANS

Champagne-colored, tubular steel doors will be installed at cost of $23,700. Although not the low bid, it better met city specifications. The gates will be open during the centers’ operating hours and for fee-based public parking on weekends and summer evenings.

“” Barbara Diamond