CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

The following is from the Jan. 27 Laguna Beach City Council meeting.

Senior meal program

The council unanimously approved a memo of understanding between South County Senior Services Inc., Laguna Beach Seniors Inc. and the city of Laguna Beach to provide a federally-subsidized lunch program for seniors at the new Susi Q Senior Center. The meal program was formerly housed at the Legion Hall.

WHAT IT MEANS

Lunch for seniors will continue to be served at least five days a week at the Senior Center; and meals will also be prepared at South Coast Medical Center and delivered to seniors’ homes five days a week. The city will pay for utilities and cleaning fees. The agreement runs through Dec. 31, 2013.

Animal shelter renovation

The council unanimously approved development of construction documents based on conceptual designs presented for the renovation of the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter.

WHAT IT MEANS

Architect Todd Skenderian was awarded a design contract not to exceed $86,000, including erosion of the creek in front of the shelter, and was instructed to “think green” for the design and materials.

Heisler Park third phase moved forward

The council appropriated $50,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund and awarded a $35,000 contract to Landscape Architecture Studio for revisions to the Heisler Park Master Plan.

The council also authorized the city manager to award a $10,000 contract to explore concepts and cost for a 300-square-foot storage area for Junior Lifeguards and docent equipment and 100 square feet for the Laguna Bowling Club, giving serious thought to permanent storage area as opposed to temporary structures, if construction costs can be kept to $100,000 or less.

WHAT IT MEANS

State grants have been frozen, but the city’s application for $2.3 million grant for the third and final phase of the Heisler Park renovation and preservation project has been submitted, is highly ranked and recommended for approval. Proposed modifications would put the city at the starting gate when the state is in a position to again make grants.

Construction hazard intervention

Construction projects abandoned at the excavation stage may lead to the collapse of earth on the parcel or adjoining properties. The city has the power to hire a contractor and order repairs, at the property owner’s expense.

The council gave initial approval to an ordinance to speed up the intervention process. A second reading is required to make the proposal into law.

WHAT IT MEANS

The proposed ordinance provides for an abbreviated abatement procedure when repairs are needed on an emergency or urgent basis and provides a mechanism for the city to collect funds before the building permit is issued to pay for repairs, if necessary, so the city does not have to advance the funds and then try to collect from the property owners by a lien or special assessment against the property. The ordinance also clarifies requirements for shoring and underpinning excavations near adjoining properties and provides that the neighbors be notified when excavations are planned

Canyon pocket park hearing set

The city owns a small parcel at the corner of Frontage Road and Woodland Drive in Laguna Canyon. Now vacant, fenced and maintained by the city, the parcel previously was used as a recycling center and a storage area for trucks.

Neighbors approached Councilwoman Jane Egly to see if the parcel could be made more attractive and functional. Egly recommended making it into a park.

WHAT IT MEANS

A public hearing will be held March 24 to determine if the parcel should be converted into a park.

— Barbara Diamond