Laguna Beach City Council - March 24, 2026

March 24, 2026

Executive Summary

The Laguna Beach City Council convened on March 25, 2026, beginning with a closed session at 4:00 PM to conduct labor negotiations with three employee organizations (Police Employees Association, Municipal Employees Association, and Police and Fire Management Association - Police Unit) through City Manager Dave Kiff. No reportable action was taken in the closed session. The regular meeting featured several recognitions including Leek Hoskins for her generous donation to Sally's Fund (which provides senior transportation services), Sarah Limones for receiving the 2026 'Women Making a Difference in Orange County' award, and the City's finance team for Government Finance Professionals Week. Mike Beanan of the Laguna Blue Belt Coalition presented ReefCheck Foundation survey results showing healthier kelp forests inside Laguna's marine protected areas compared to outside the boundary, supporting a petition to extend protections by one mile to include Thousand Steps and Three Arch Bay reefs. Significant public concerns were raised about mail theft and fraud from the Ocean Avenue mailbox, with residents Claudia Redfern and Deborah Gilbert reporting stolen and washed checks totaling thou

Key Decisions

- Approved the consent calendar unanimously, including the WISE agreement with Orange County for solid waste disposal (with tipping fees increasing 10% per year for two years starting July 1), the 2026 Investment Policy, resolutions setting public hearing dates for sidewalk/intersection visibility nuisance abatement and weed abatement (both May 12, 2026), a three-year contract with Hi-Standard Automotive, LLC for police vehicle outfitting (not to exceed $120,000 per year), and the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report - Amended the lease agreement with Anneliese Preschool to a one-year t