Laguna Beach City Council Regular Meeting - March 7, 2017

March 7, 2017

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach City Council met on March 7, 2017, to address parking management strategies, transit system improvements, and senior transportation services, as well as a proposed drone ordinance to regulate unmanned aircraft operations within city limits. - The Council approved extending the Downtown Specific Plan's parking rate increase to $3.75 per hour for meters in the downtown area, while maintaining lower rates ($1.50) in peripheral areas such as Laguna Canyon and the HIP district. - The Council directed staff to implement a new Weekend Residential Trolley program serving Top of the World, Bluebird Canyon, and Arch Beach Heights neighborhoods seven days a week, funded 90% by an OCTA grant. - The Council recommended restructuring the Mainline transit service to operate only during weekday peak hours (6:30 AM to 9 AM and 2:15 PM to 5:30 PM) during off-season months, with elimination of North and South Laguna routes due to low ridership (1-2 boardings per hour). - The Council directed Councilmember Rob Boyd to work with Police Chief Laura Faranella and professional drone operators to refine a proposed drone ordinance, which would prohibit drone operations at Main Beach, Heis

Key Decisions

- Approved extending the downtown parking meter rate increase from $3 to $3.75 per hour for the 2017 summer season (meters and metered lots in the downtown area only). - Approved continuing the Summer Breeze park-and-ride program from the 405/133 interchange to downtown, with plans to double ridership through enhanced marketing. - Approved implementing the Weekend Residential Trolley program serving Top of the World, Bluebird Canyon, and Arch Beach Heights neighborhoods seven days a week, funded 90% by OCTA grant. - Directed staff to restructure the Mainline transit service to operate only dur