Laguna Beach City Council Regular Meeting - October 1, 2013

October 1, 2013

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach City Council met on October 1, 2013, to discuss the Village Entrance Project, receiving updated design concepts from Studio 111 Architects featuring a new Creekside Park, renovation of the historic sewer digester building, and a four-level parking structure to add a net 200 parking spaces. - Councilmember Robert Whalen presented nine guiding principles for the project, emphasizing the council's responsibility to listen to public input, provide factual information, arrive at a plan with meaningful community support, and move forward with a village entrance project rather than continue decades of inaction. - The Council approved spending up to $100,000 for a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment by GeoFirm and an odor control evaluation by DHK Engineers for the sewer lift station, plus up to $50,000 for public forums and workshops to gather community input from October 2013 through January 2014. - Studio 111 presented concepts for replacing surface parking lots with a promenade lined with native California sycamores and oaks, a 12-foot-wide pedestrian walkway, bike path, and multipurpose meadow areas for events including the farmers market. - Community testimony r

Key Decisions

- Approved spending up to $85,000 for GeoFirm to conduct a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment including comprehensive soils testing and identification of mitigation measures for current and potential future uses at the Village Entrance site. - Approved spending up to $15,000 for DHK Engineers to evaluate odor control alternatives for the sewer lift station, including annual operating maintenance cost analysis and assistance in developing a pilot project. - Approved spending up to $50,000 for public outreach, including $25,000 to extend the contract with Studio 111 for participation in publ