CITY COUNCIL WRAPUP

The following is from the March 18 meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council.

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COUNCIL/STAFF CHAT

?Treasurer Laura Parisi said federal actions to bolster the economy would be felt next year. However, city revenue from interest earnings is ahead of budget this year, by $470,000 as of February. ?Mayor Jane Egly said water conservation efforts by the Laguna Beach County Water District include posting little yellow cards next to leaky sprinklers or outdoor faucets.

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CONSENT CALENDAR

Editor’s note: Consent calendar items get approved in one motion unless a member of the council, staff or public “pull” the item, which then requires opening it for public comment and a separate vote.

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Approved without comment:

?Minutes of the March 4 adjourned and regular meeting

?General warrants of $1,423,974.77, issued March 7; and Payroll 18, in the amount of $617,949.71, issued Feb. 28

?Contracts to Joud Construction to replace windows in Fire Station One, $34.989.50; to Topline for the Bluebird Park turf renovation, $25,000; to Trueline for resurfacing the basketball courts at Main Beach and Alta Laguna Park and the tennis courts in Bluebird Park and at the high school, $25,000

?Resolutions setting April 15 for the public hearing on the annual weed abatement program and the annual intersection visibility program; and revising fees for wedding, film and park use

?A $24,272 bid from Tustin Toyota for the purchase of a Prius

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Pulled for Discussion:

Authorizing an agreement with Caltrans for the maintenance and landscape improvements in the South Laguna Streetscape Construction Project. 5-0

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COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

?Warren Finley and Alan Ring were reappointed to the Techcomm Committee for terms to end April 1, 2010.

?Incumbents Tamara Campbell, Anne Frank, Rick Gold and John Madison were reappointed to the Heritage Committee.

They will serve two-year terms. Architect Carl Iverson was also appointed to a two-year term. Architect James Henry was appointed to a one-year term.

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CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS

5-0

The council directed staff to come back at Tuesday’s meeting with an ordinance increasing the limit on campaign contributions to $360 for the 2008 election cycle.

Adjustments to the limit are made in each even-numbered year that reflect changes to the consumer price index for the Los Angeles/Orange County metropolitan area, rounded to the nearest $10.

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DRAINAGE PLAN UPDATE

No action required

Public Works Director Steve May presented an update on the Master Plan of Drainage that will be used as a resource document for planning and budget purposes.

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POLICE RETIREMENT INCREASE 5-0

The council adopted the amended formula to determine retirement benefits for the Police Department safety employees. The increase begins June 30.