Laguna Beach Community Update

Laguna Beach City news City of Laguna Beach, California

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

This Week's Laguna Beach City Council Action:

Proclamation Recognizing Donate Life California Month

Tuesday, the City Council approved a Proclamation recognizing April as DMV/Donate Life California Month. More than 108,000 individuals nationwide and more than 21,000 in California are currently on the national organ transplant waiting list. To become an organ donor, sign up with Donate Life California at www.donatelifecalifornia.org.

New Ordinance Establishes Standard Penalties for Littering and Drinking in Public

Tuesday, the City Council adopted an ordinance that raises the penalties for littering and drinking in public to the same level of all other violations of the City's Municipal Code. Municipal Code violations in Laguna Beach are $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense (within a 12-month period,) and $500 for each additional offense within that same time frame.

New Sewer Lateral Inspection Service Tool Approved for Plumbers & Residents

As part of the City's Private Sewer Lateral Program, property owners are required to video inspect their private sewer laterals and submit the videos to the Wastewater Division when doing a Major Remodel, a remodel valued over $100,000, after a private sewer lateral spill or other adverse conditions. On Tuesday, the City Council approved a new service called "Forward Lateral," which will provide a web-based service to local plumbers to help them upload video inspections remotely, track inspection review status and get lateral inspections for residents approved faster and more efficiently by City staff.

Upcoming Virtual Arbor Day Celebration on April 30

At its meeting Tuesday, the City Council read a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day and approved an upcoming virtual livestream Arbor Day celebration and tree planting to be held on Friday, April 30 at Top of the World Park. Public Works will also plant an additional 10 trees throughout the City.

The Next Regular Meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council is Tuesday, May 4.

Click HERE for the May 4 City Council Agenda and Zoom Instructions

Today's Podcast Update with Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen

In today's Podcast Update, Mayor Whalen discusses the conversation with the County on neighborhood protection, and what exactly they’re bringing to the table. We talk about stepped up patrols and cameras at South Laguna beaches, and more efficient ways to monitor and respond to acts of vandalism.

The Mayor also addresses the Council utilizing feedback provided by the firm assisting in the search for City Manager.

Click HERE to Listen to Today's Podcast Update with Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen!

South Main Beach Restroom Ribbon Cutting May 4

The City of Laguna Beach will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. to celebrate the completion of renovations to the South Main Beach Restroom.

Renovations to the South Main Beach Restroom include a hand-painted ceramic tile mural called “Outburst” by artist Lynn Basa, new refillable bottle water station, all new plumbing fixtures and piping, an energy efficient electrical system, new outdoor shower facilities, new concrete floors, and improved ADA accessibility.

Installation of a new water bottle refilling station helps the City in its pursuit to reduce and discourage single use plastic water bottles. Just one reusable water bottle can potentially save over 1,000 plastic bottles per year, and help reduce the number of plastic bottles that end up on Laguna’s beaches and in the ocean. The refillable bottle water station was made possible by a donation from the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition.

Face coverings and social distancing are required at the event. For more information contact Tom Perez, Capital Program Manager, at (949) 464-6688 or tperez@lagunabeachcity.net.

They're Baaa-ack!

First 150-Head Goat Herd Arrived This Week to Kick Off the City's 2021 Fuel Modification Program

With this week's arrival of a 150-head goat herd, fuel modification programs to help reduce invasive brush and the risk of wildfires within the City of Laguna Beach are in full swing.

Because of a lack of rain over the winter, the Laguna Beach Fire Department anticipates only needing two goat herds (150-head in each herd - a total of 300 goats) to handle this year's new regrowth. If there is a growth spurt in vegetation, more goats will be brought in.

Last year there was record regrowth, and the City's goat herd was 700 goats strong- the largest its ever been since the program started in 1993.

As part of the City’s fuel modification program, a team of experienced hand crews also work in fuel modification zones to clear brush by hand as needed.

The City's veteran goatherder, Agotilio Moreno, is a native of Peru, where his family still lives. This is his 26th year tending the goat herds for the City of Laguna Beach.

Please respect the goats and the work they do to keep our community safe. Do not approach them - they are not pets!

Go to www.lagunabeachcity.net/culvert to see LIVE traffic cameras of the Downtown area.

This Week's Look INSIDE the Caltrans Coast Highway Culvert Project

Thank You for Your Continued Patience!

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is working to replace the box culvert on Coast Highway at Main Beach. As a result, traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction on Coast Highway from Ocean to Broadway through the end of May.

Your Look at This Week's Progress:

Crews worked overnight to place the five pieces of the pre-cast box for the new culvert.

Rebar is placed to connect to the existing culvert that goes under the driveway and mini-market. For the rest of the week, crews will be pouring the walls and decking around the culvert and letting it cure.

What's Happening Next:

On Friday, April 23, the "dewatering system," (which keeps the construction site free of groundwater) will be shifted to the west (ocean) side of the construction zone.
Construction crews will backfill around the culvert with slurry and remove the shoring before leaving the slurry to cure over the weekend.
By Monday, April 26, crews will be placing the roadway base and preparing to pave the road, as well as reconstruct the sidewalk and driveway.

For project information, please contact Caltrans Public Information Officer Darcy Birden at (949) 923-7136 or Darcy.Birden@dot.ca.gov.

Help Keep Laguna Beach at #1 in the National Water Challenge!

Take the pledge before April 30 to help make Laguna Beach the most Waterwise City in America as part of the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation!

Last year, the City of Laguna Beach was named one of five national winners in the National Challenge!

Today's Standings:

The annual challenge, which runs through April 30, is a non-profit national community service campaign that encourages residents to make a series of simple pledges at mywaterpledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution, and save energy.

Click HERE to Take the Pledge Today and Keep Laguna Beach at #1!

This week the City is installing acoustic panels at the Lang Park pickleball courts to help minimize the sound during play. Players are also encouraged to use quieter "Green-Zone" pickleball paddles .

Drop-Off Unwanted Prescriptions Saturday on "National Take Back Day"

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 20th “National Take Back Day” on Saturday, April 24 at numerous locations throughout Orange County.

Click HERE to Find Safe Disposal Locations Near You!

Work to replace pavers on Ramona Avenue will happen from the week of April 26 through May 28. The one-way portion of the street will be closed during construction, Monday through Friday. Pedestrian access from the Glenneyre Parking Structure to the shops and restaurants will be maintained during construction.

Overnight on Monday, April 26, between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., SCE will be replacing a pole at the corner of Jasmine Street and North Coast Highway. On Wednesday, April 28, between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., SCE will be replacing three utility poles on Cedar Way between Jasmine Street and Rosa Bonheur Drive. Portions of Cedar Way will be closed to through traffic. For more information, contact SCE at (800) 655-4555.

Have a Question? Click HERE to Contact the City of Laguna Beach

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