Laguna Beach Environmental Sustainability Committee - March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

Executive Summary

- The Environmental Sustainability Committee met on March 16, 2026, to review waste management services provided by CR&R Environmental Services, discuss the Blue Cities Network certification application, and begin evaluating whether to recommend Laguna Beach join the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA). - CR&R Environmental Services presented comprehensive information about recycling, organics collection, and waste diversion efforts, reporting that Laguna Beach has achieved 9.2 pounds per person per day disposal rate versus the state target of 12.7 pounds. - The committee unanimously voted to recommend City Council approve submission of the Blue Cities Network certification application, which the Natural Resources subcommittee prepared over several months. - Significant discussion focused on lithium battery fires in waste collection trucks, with four load fires in Laguna Beach over two years, all caused by batteries, prompting enhanced fire suppression systems and public education efforts. - The committee began developing a comprehensive work plan to evaluate OCPA membership, including detailed questionnaires covering financial stability, governance, rate comparisons, and environm

Key Decisions

- The committee unanimously approved (vote not recorded but indicated by 'aye' responses) the minutes from the previous meeting. - The committee unanimously voted to recommend City Council approve submission of the Blue Cities Network certification application prepared by the Natural Resources subcommittee. - Chair/Mayor (name not stated in transcript) approved moving forward with developing a formal OCPA evaluation work plan to present to City Council for approval before conducting comprehensive research. - The committee decided to assign sustainable seafood consumption promotion to the Natur