Laguna Beach City Council Regular Meeting - December 16, 2014

December 16, 2014

Executive Summary

- The City Council conducted a routine business meeting on December 16, 2014, with all five council members present (Councilmember Boyd, Councilmember Eisman, Councilmember Zershmad, Mayor Pro Tem Dictaro, and Mayor Whalen). - The Council recognized Visit Laguna Beach's leadership transition and achievements, including winning the Silver Adrian Award for Website Excellence and changing from a membership to a partnership model. - The Council received updates on pedestrian and bicycle safety initiatives, including new traffic safety enforcement programs, HAWK signal timing adjustments, and planning efforts for alternative transportation routes. - The Council approved a cultural arts plan to establish goals and priorities for arts development citywide, funded by a National Endowment for the Arts grant. - The Council approved a $7.2 million budget authorization for improvements at the Festival of Arts grounds, to be funded through long-term lease payments from the Festival. - Sue Kempf was appointed to the Planning Commission following interviews with four qualified candidates. - The Council approved reassessment district refinancing that will save taxpayers approximately $137,000 thro

Key Decisions

- Approved consent calendar items including bills and demands, budget transfers, and FEMA refund authorization for emergency response reimbursement ($36,000 to be refunded from approximately $540,000 advanced). - Approved off-season trolley service expansion with requirement that at least 10 passengers ride each trolley per hour on average. - Approved cultural arts plan development with Cultural Planning Group, directing formation of steering committee before contract execution. - Authorized approximately $7.2 million in capital improvements at Festival of Arts grounds to be reimbursed over 26