Laguna Beach City Council Regular Meeting - November 15, 2011

November 15, 2011

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach City Council meeting on November 15, 2011 featured strong community presentations on environmental leadership, recycling achievements, disaster preparedness, and zero waste goals, with the city achieving a 71% waste diversion rate (exceeding the state's 50% requirement) and 440 of 557 commercial businesses participating in recycling. - The Council approved $295,000 for six Complete Streets projects, though the decision drew criticism for allocating $225,000 to studies versus only $70,000 for implementation, with significant debate over Temple Hills neighborhood pedestrian improvements ($100,000) focusing on easement pathways versus extending the existing Temple Hills Drive sidewalk. - The Laguna Canyon Flood Mitigation Task Force presented its final report with 24 recommendations, including a critical finding that enlarging the storm drain pipe under Coast Highway from 800 to 1,050 cubic feet per second capacity could reduce downtown flooding by more than 30%. - Public speakers called for Laguna Beach to adopt a long-range goal of becoming the most sustainable city in Southern California and a premier eco-tourist destination, with specific recommendations includi

Key Decisions

- Approved minutes of the previous meeting (item 1) following comments from Bruce Hopping of the Calistica Gas Foundation. - Approved GPS tracking devices for summer festival trolleys for $10,000 to allow passengers to track buses via web browser or smartphone (item 1 of Complete Streets projects, vote 5-0). - Approved setting aside $100,000 for future pedestrian improvements in the Temple Hills neighborhood, with the specific use to be determined after additional neighborhood discussions (item 2 of Complete Streets projects, vote 4-0, with Council Member Kelly recused due to proximity to the