Laguna Beach City Council Public Hearing - July 17, 2018

July 17, 2018

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach City Council held a regular meeting on July 17, 2018, with a closed session from 5:00-6:00 PM and a public meeting at 6:00 PM. - The Council discussed placing a 1% sales tax increase measure on the November 2018 ballot. - The Council considered consolidating the city's general municipal election with the statewide general election scheduled for November 6, 2018. - The Council debated whether to propose the sales tax increase as a special purpose tax dedicated specifically to utility undergrounding and fire safety or as a general purpose tax for utility undergrounding, fire safety, and other essential city services. - Mayor Kelly Boyd, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Zur Schmiede, and Councilmember Bob Whalen were designated to lead the campaign efforts for the measure, along with the Chief of Police and Fire Chief.

Key Decisions

- Council must choose between proposing either a special purpose tax (utility undergrounding and fire safety only) OR a general purpose tax (utility undergrounding, fire safety, and other essential city services) - Appointed Mayor Pro Tem Robert Zur Schmiede and Councilmember Bob Whalen as a City Council Subcommittee to prepare ballot arguments in support of the measure - Authorized Mayor Kelly Boyd, the Utility Undergrounding Subcommittee members, other willing Council members, Chief of Police, and Fire Chief to file direct and rebuttal arguments in favor of the ballot measure - Adopted resol