Laguna Beach City Council Regular Meeting - November 17, 2015

November 17, 2015

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach City Council met on November 17, 2015, with Mayor Bob Whalen presiding over a lengthy agenda addressing short-term lodging regulations, assessment assistance programs, and various design and infrastructure projects. - The Council continued three design review appeals (31461 Coast Highway, 2672 Glenneyre Street, and 1380 Pacific Way) to December 8th and December 15th to avoid late-night hearings, scheduling an additional meeting on December 15th to balance the workload. - The Council heard extensive public testimony on proposed short-term lodging regulations, with passionate arguments from both supporters citing financial necessity and property rights, and opponents citing neighborhood character, housing stock preservation, and quality of life concerns. - The Council directed staff to come back with a detailed plan for an assessment assistance program to help property owners finance underground utility district assessments, including options for need-based financing and deferring on-site undergrounding costs. - The Council continued item 22 (city treasurer compensation for extraordinary work) to December 8th to allow Treasurer Laura (last name not stated) to provi

Key Decisions

- Approved consent calendar items 1 through 10, 12 through 14, 16 and 17, and 19. - Continued item 11 (purchase of three Ford Escape vehicles for building inspectors at $76,000) to December 8th to evaluate more fuel-efficient vehicle alternatives. - Continued item 15 (Bluebird Park fence and shade structure design contract for $11,745 to Todd Skenderian) to further evaluate the $21,000 discrepancy between the low bid and second-lowest bid, with questions about scope completeness. - Continued item 23 (appeal of design review 15-005 for 31461 Coast Highway) to December 8th with consent of both p