City offers chance to control purse strings

The City Council is accepting applications for the appointment of a seven-member citizens oversight committee to monitor the use of the half-percent sales tax revenue from Measure A, which was approved by Laguna Beach voters on Dec. 13. The primary purpose of the committee will be to ensure transparency in the use of the revenue, City Clerk Martha Anderson said. Appointments will be made for two-year terms with the opportunity to reapply.

Laguna Beach residents who are interested in applying must submit an application, which is available at the city clerk’s office as well as online at the city’s website.

Applications must be filed with the City Clerk by 5 p.m., Tuesday Jan. 10. All applicants will be interviewed by the City Council at its regular meeting, 6 p.m. Jan. 17 in the City Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave.

Old-fashioned streetlights up

Ninety percent of the new, decorative streetlights in the downtown project area were installed this past week. The work was scheduled for the week of Dec. 5; however, the contractor was delayed and could not do the work until the week of Dec. 12.

Although this conflicted with the free downtown parking, the work was done at this time because otherwise the contractor would not have been able to reschedule the work for several months.

No other major work will be done in the downtown area until the first week in January, City Manager Ken Frank said.

More free parking downtown

Free parking at metered spots in downtown Laguna has been extended for another week, to make up for some spots that were unavailable the week of Dec. 12 to 17.

The Visitor’s Bureau paid the city to bag the downtown parking meters Dec. 12 to 17. Unfortunately, some of the parking spaces were not available because of the need to install the new street light standards.

In exchange, the city allowed free parking in two of the downtown lots. However, because of the disruption in parking and its possible adverse effects on downtown businesses, City Manager Ken Frank directed the staff to continue bagging the meters until Dec. 24..

Drop off Christmas trees in Laguna

The City of Laguna Beach and Waste Management of Orange County are sponsoring a drop-off Christmas tree recycling program for residents of Laguna Beach from Dec. 26 through Jan. 8.

Laguna Beach residents may take their trees to the City Hall employee parking lot at the intersection of Laguna Canyon Road and Forest Avenue.

Information: www.wm.com.

Compost is topic at Garden Club

Start the New Year from the ground up by improving your soil.

At 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, Ron Vanderhoff, nursery manager of Roger’s Gardens, will discuss ways to maintain soil health through use of microorganisms and beneficial bacteria.

Attendees can learn how to turn yard and kitchen waste into “garden gold.”

Laguna Beach Garden Club meetings are held on second Fridays at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive. Information: lagunabeachgardenclub.org.

Bridge, anyone?

The Laguna Beach round-robin bridge tournament is looking for men and women interested in being on the substitute list for its next six-month session.

The tournament is held at the Woman’s Club on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 11:30 a.m.

Information: Ganell Baker, (949) 494-0050.