CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

The following is from the Laguna Beach City Council meeting of Nov. 21:

EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS

The Orange County Transportation Authority honored Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider for her contributions to the passage in the November election of Measure M, which will fund major road improvements.

Pearson-Schneider served on the League of Cities Super M Committee.

“The leadership of Elizabeth, combined with the efforts of her council and Super Committee colleagues and city staff, will provide Laguna Beach and all Orange County cities with the flexibility to allocate more than $2 billion in Measure M “fair share” funds to improve local streets,” said Orange Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Cavecche, vice chair of OCTA.

“For Laguna, it is estimated in the formula or ‘fair share” component alone, more than $17 million over the 30 years of the renewal plan will come directly to your city.”

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 to public comment and a separate vote.]

Approved without comment:

Ana Maria Patino claims an undetermined amount of damages, alleging she was falsely arrested and assaulted by a police officer;

Ana Hernandez and Susana Hernandez claim damages of more than $100,000. The claimants were involved in a collision with another vehicle on Laguna Canyon Road;

Sheila Diane Nahlen claims $20,174.62 in damages from a trip over an Edison utility cover in the sidewalk at Main Beach.

Pulled for discussion:

UTILITIES UNDERGROUNDING 5-0

The council voted to reduce assessments on specified parcels included in Underground Utility Assessment District 06-1, Cerritos and Dunning drives, Rim Rock, Upper Rimrock and Terrace Way; directed the city manager to cast ballots in favor of the district, which includes two city-owned parcels; and adopted the resolution confirming the assessments, designated the city treasurer to collect the assessments and awarded the $1,341,000 construction contract to Hood Corp., subject to the receipt of bond proceeds.

REVOCATION CONSIDERATION DENIED 3-2

A split City Council voted to deny a request to conduct a revocation hearing for a proposed new single-family home at 7 Lagunita Drive, which was approved by the Design Review Board. Iseman and Dicterow voted against the denial.

CITY HALL RECEPTIONIST 5-0

The council unanimously supported the concept of adding a receptionist to city hall, with space in the lobby. Funding will be considered in the 2007-08 budget discussions. The city manager will present a job description, proposed salary and cost estimate to reconfigure the reception area at the budget hearing scheduled for May.

OUT IN THE COLD 5-0

The council unanimously upheld the Planning Commission’s denial of a conditional-use permit for Cold Stone Creamery to open an ice cream shop at 247 Broadway where Baskin-Robbins used to be.

HERITAGE TREE 5-0

The council approved a permit for the removal of a heritage tree that the property owners at 341 Pearl St. had already chopped down.

Property owner Elizabeth A. Toomey said the Chinese elm was removed because it was diseased. Removal of a heritage tree requires the approval of the council and specific justifications for its removal.

Staff recommended replacing the heritage tree with a 72-inch box-sized Chinese elm, which the property owners opposed.

In a compromise, the council required no replacement on the site, but a $2,000 donation from the property owner will be used to buy a tree in the city where it can be enjoyed by the public.