CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

The following is from the Sept. 16 Laguna Beach City Council meeting. Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson was absent.

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City holdings secure

City Treasurer Laura Parisi updated the council on the city’s portfolio in light of recent financial news. The city has small holdings in Fannie Mae ($1 million) and Freddie Mac ($2 million). The federal government’s action, which put them into conservatorship, benefited the city, Parisi said. She announced that the interest earnings last year are $1 million over budget.

WHAT IT MEANS

Parisi will not sell the holdings early, although it would profit the city. She also will not be selling the city’s $1 million investment in Berkshire.

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Park sign approved 4-0

The council approved a project to design and install a marine interpretive sign along the Heisler Park pathway and funding by the California National Monument.

WHAT IT MEANS

The sign will identify Bird Rock as one of 20,000 small rocks off the California coast that provide unique biological habitat for birds and other marine organisms.

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Smellathon 4-0

Outmoded materials and design have contributed to the odors that emanate from city-maintained sewer pump stations, noticeably in the city employee parking lot, and at the corner of Calliope and Glenneyre streets. Staff recommends the installation of the SuperOxygenation systems at the downtown pump station, based on the success of the installation at Bluebird.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city will pay ECO2 $458,000 to install and integrate the SuperOxygenation system in the Laguna pump station. The total project budget is $510,000, including $40,000 for election work and a $10,000 contingency fund.

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View Corridor application 4-0

The city will pursue the nomination of Laguna Canyon Road as a State Scenic Highway, but not aggressively.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council voted to put the item on the Planning Commission’s project list, but not as a high priority.

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Renewable energy financing study 4-0

The state legislature recently passed a bill that authorizes cities to establish assessment districts, including citywide districts, for long-term, municipal bond financing for the installation of energy-saving devices, such as solar-powered heating. The council approved the recommendation for an evaluation of the program as recommended by Mayor Jane Egly and Councilwoman Toni Iseman.

WHAT IT MEANS

Several more steps, including a vote by willing participants, would be required for the city to adopt the program, City Atty. Philip Kohn said. Participation would be optional.

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Parking perks for smaller cars 4-0

The city’s parking sticker program offers residents two Shoppers Permits per household for $80 for two years. A third permit costs $150. Councilman Kelly Boyd recommended selling a third permit at the lower cost for smaller, less-polluting vehicles to encourage their use downtown. The council approved the proposal.

WHAT IT MEANS

The third sticker at $80 for two years will be available only for golf carts, electric vehicles or motor scooters “” not motorcycles. Stickers will be different to distinguish them from the regular shoppers permit and indicate they belong only on the specified type of vehicle.

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Council says ‘Slow Down’ 4-0

Downhill speeders are an omnipresent hazard in Laguna. Over the years, residents have pleaded with the Parking, Traffic and Circulation Committee and the council to find a way to slow traffic coming down the hilltop access streets.

Speed bumps or humps are not advisable on steep streets and police enforcement is spotty due to limited resources, according the agenda item sponsored by Egly and Pearson. The council approved their recommendation to study and determine costs of technology and related manpower to slow down downhill vehicular traffic.

WHAT IT MEANS

Staff will research new technologies, including the use of video on the police department’s radar trailer that shows drivers how fast they are going, but do not dictate any action. The videos could be used to issue warning to speed violators.

“” Compiled by Barbara Diamond