Laguna Beach City Council Study Session - September 23, 2025

September 23, 2025

Executive Summary

- Laguna Beach City Council held a regular meeting on September 23, 2025, addressing infrastructure improvements, wildfire mitigation, utility undergrounding, and several property-related legal matters. - Council conducted a closed session on existing litigation involving Edward B. Riahi/EBR Trust v. City of Laguna Beach and California Regional Water Quality Control Board regarding a 2019 sanitary sewer overflow, plus three anticipated litigation matters including disputes over 31774 5th Avenue construction and solid waste billing. - Council approved multiple infrastructure contracts totaling over $2.5 million, including Old Top of the World Sewer Lift Station Rehabilitation ($669,200 construction, $226,158 construction management), Hagan Place Stairs and Susi Q Trellis replacements ($335,700), and Coast Highway Sidewalk Gap Closures design services ($587,611). - A public hearing on Underground Utility Assessment District 2021-1 (West Street) proceeded with ballot tallying to determine majority property owner support for a $3.4 million utility undergrounding project with additional city contributions totaling $1.4 million from Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Fund and Street Lig

Key Decisions

- Awarded construction contract to Arnaz Engineering Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $669,200 for Old Top of the World Sewer Lift Station Rehabilitation Phase 1, plus $226,158 task order to Lee + RO for construction management and inspection services. - Awarded construction contract to SFS Constructors & Builders, Inc. in the amount of $335,700 for Hagan Place Stairs and Susi Q Trellis replacements project. - Awarded construction contract to Hot Line Construction (amount not to exceed $3,393,491, subject to successful Underground Utility Assessment District 2021-1 ballot results) for West S