Laguna Beach City Council Regular Meeting - August 4, 2015

August 4, 2015

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach City Council meeting on August 4, 2015 addressed critical public safety and land use issues, including a red flag parking restriction pilot program in Diamond Crestview that has not yet tested ticketing/towing enforcement, and a contentious drought-related swimming pool moratorium affecting 54 pending applications. - The Fire Department presented the NISE Oro Canyon fuel modification project (22 acres) ahead of a California Coastal Commission hearing on August 13, 2015, where Coastal Commission staff recommended finding no substantial issue with the appeal. - The Council unanimously voted to extend the red flag parking restriction pilot program in Diamond Crestview for another year with ticketing/towing enforcement, rejecting the Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee's recommendation to expand to Bluebird Canyon. - The Council directed the Fire and Police Department command staffs to work with city staff and the Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee to develop a comprehensive emergency access evaluation program focused on day-to-day access improvements rather than red flag-only restrictions. - The Council voted 4-1 to reject all bids for the Laguna Seca l

Key Decisions

- Unanimously voted to extend the Diamond Crestview red flag parking restriction pilot program for another year with ticketing and towing enforcement, rejecting the Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee's recommendation to expand to Bluebird Canyon. - Directed Fire Chief Jeff Letenderis and Police Department command staff to work with city staff and the Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee to research options to improve emergency access for emergency responders on a day-to-day basis rather than limiting efforts to red flag events only. - Voted 4-1 (with Councilmember Zershmeed dissent