Mountain Lion Sighting -- Animal Services staff posted warning signs and notified Top of the World School of a possible mountain lion sighting in the county park land north of Alta Laguna. There was only a single witness who believes she saw the animal and no tracks were found verifying its presence. This is the only reported sighting of a mountain lion in at least six months.
Banner Competition -- The Arts Commission is currently accepting designs for the 2010 Banner Competition. Proposed designs, examples of previous related work and resume will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2010. The selected banners will be displayed throughout the city from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach. Competition guidelines are available at www.lagunabeachcity.net.
Art That’s Small at City Hall -- The Arts Commission will be accepting entries to the annual Art That’s Small exhibition between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the main doors to City Hall. Entries must measure 12” or smaller and have been created by residents of Orange County. A reception and awards ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday April 1, 2010. This year the exhibition will be adjudicated by Joanne Artman (First Thursday’s Art Walk), Tom Lamb (Festival of Arts), and Susan Wade (Sawdust Art Festival). This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.
Tommy Bahama’s – This week, the Planning Commission approved an amendment to the Conditional Use Permit for the old Jolly Roger building. Tommy Bahama’s will take the entire first floor, half of which will be a restaurant.
Artist Live-Work – At the same meeting, the Planning Commission approved an artist live-work project at 787 Laguna Canyon Road which is between the Bartlett Shopping Center and Art-a-Fair. This project will allow the possibility that the Art School will be able to rent units for its students.
Group Home – As a part of its busy meeting, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit for a group home for physically disadvantaged young people. The project will take place at Ruby and Coast Highway in the building that was previously an assisted living center.
Google in Laguna Beach? – Google has noticed cities across the country who might be interested in serving as a test site for new broadband service. The TechComm Committee has considered whether Laguna Beach might be an appropriate site. Attached is a report from the Committee which delineates the difficulty of serving as a test site (e.g., Google’s preference for overhead utilities) and recommends that the City not submit an application to be a test site. Attachment
Fiscal Year 2010-11 Budget – The staff has prepared the preliminary budget for next fiscal year. It will be printed and available for the public at the end of March – almost one month ahead of our normal schedule. This will provide extra time for the Council and the community to consider the budget document. In short, the General Fund budget continues for the second year in a row with a $1.2 million deficit out of the Recession Smoothing Account. The budget proposes the elimination of 3 ½ positions through attrition. No layoffs, furloughs, or major reductions in City services are being proposed.
Dark Skies – The Planning Commission is starting to review an ordinance prepared by the City staff. Two members of the Planning Commission will serve as a subcommittee and they are requesting two members each from the Design Review Board and the Environmental Committee.
