View the Laguna Beach Police Report for Ruben Flores here
Candidate Website here
Form 460 Campaign Funding Disclosure Statements:
Flores Ruben – 460 Jan 1 – Sept 1 2020 redacted
Media and other Candidate information:
Author: LBChat
Steve Dicterow
View the Laguna Beach Police Report for Steve Dicterow here
Form 460 Campaign Funding Disclosure Statements:
Dicterow Steve – 460 July 1 – Sept 19 2020 redacted
Media and other Candidate information:
Letters To The Editor – Steve Dicterow – Click here
Dicterow Taps His Home For Cash – read here
Mayor Dicterow’s Bankruptcy – read here
Resident Files Two Sworn Complaints With Fppc* See April 24, 2017 Update! – read here
Favoritism At City Hall For Hedge and View Claims – read here
2020 PAC and 501(c)4 Group Campaign Disclosure Forms
Citywide PAC Campaign Contributions Spending 2020 Election:
Laguna Residents First – 460 Jan 1 – June 30 2020 – redacted – Click here
Laguna Residents First – 460 July 1 – Sept 19 2020 – redacted – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 460 Jan 1 – June 30, 2020 – Click here
Liberate Laguna PAC 460 Form (July 1 – Sept 19 2020) – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 496 Sept 8 2020 – redacted – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 496 Sept 11 2020 – redacted – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 496 Sept 14 2020 (Tracy Flyer) – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 496 Sept 14 2020 (Whalen Flyer) – Click here
Liberate Laguna PAC 496 Sept 14 2020 (Nokes) – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 496 Sept 23 2020 (Nokes) redacted – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 496 Sept 23 2020 redacted – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 496 Oct 1 2020 redacted – Click here
Liberate Laguna PAC Form 496 Oct 5 (Dicterow) – Click here
Liberate Laguna PAC Form 496 Oct. 5, 2020 (Nokes) – Click here
Village Laguna (PAC):
Village Laguna – 460 Jan 1 – June 30, 2020 redacted – Click here
VL 460 Form (Jul-Sept 2020) – Click here
Village LagunaPAC Form 496 Sept 30 2020 (Weiss) mailing – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Sept 30 2020 (Weiss) – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Sept 30 2020 (Nokes) – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Sept 30 2020 (Flores) – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Sept 30 2020 (Flores) – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Sept 28 2020 (Weiss) – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Sept 28 2020 (Flores) – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Oct. 2 2020 (Flores) – Click here
Village Laguna PAC 496 Oct. 2 2020 (Weiss) – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Oct. 5 2020 (Flores) – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Oct 5 2020 (Weiss) – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 497 Oct 5 2020 – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Oct. 7 2020 (Weiss) mailer amendment – Click here
Village Laguna PAC Form 496 Oct. 7 2020 (Flores) mailer amendment – Click here
Village Laguna Form 496 Oct. 9, 2020 (Flores) -Click here
Village Laguna Form 496 Oct. 9, 2020 (Weiss) – Click here
Laguna Beach Police Employee Association (PAC):
Laguna Beach Police Employee – 460 Jan 1 – June 30, 2020 – Click here
LB Police Assoc. From 496 Oct.5, 2020 (Dicterrow) – Click here
LB Police Assoc. Form 496 Oct 6 (Whalen) – Click here
Laguna Beach Fire Fighters Association (PAC):
Laguna Beach Firefighters Association – 460 Jan 1 – June 30 2020 – Click here
Laguna Public Recreational Facilities Conservancy (LPRFC) (PAC):
LPRFC City Candidate Endorsement – Click here
City Council Candidates November 3, 2020 Elections
1) Steve Dicterow – sdicterow1121@yahoo.com – No Campaign Website. Turned in nomination papers: AUGUST 7, 2020 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Steve Dicterow
2) Ruben Flores – https://rubenflorescitycouncil.com. Turned in nomination papers: AUGUST 7, 2020 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Ruben Flores
3) Larry Nokes – https://larrynokesforcouncil.com. Turned in nomination papers: AUGUST 4, 2020 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Larry Nokes
4) George Weiss – https://www.georgeweiss4citycouncil.org. Turned in nomination papers: AUGUST 2020 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: George Weiss
5) Bob Whalen – bwhalen@lagunabeachcity.net – http://www.bobwhalenforlbcouncil.com. Turned in nomination papers: AUGUST 6, 2020 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Bob Whalen
City Clerk Candidates:
1) Ann Marie McKay – http://mckay4cityclerk.com. Turned in nomination papers: July 30, 2020 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Ann Marie McKay
2) Mariann Tracy – https://marianntracy.com. Turned in nomination papers: AUGUST 5, 2020 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Mariann Tracy
Media and General Public Candidate Related Articles and Opinions for the November 3, 2020 Election Below: As Available…
Letter to the Editor – LTE-Dicterow
Letter to the Editor – LTE-Weiss-Flores
Call To Laguna Residents – Register To Vote!
Laguna Beach Residents
REGISTER TO VOTE!
You must register before you can vote. That can be done online. Have your drivers’ license number and the last four digits of your social security number handy. Then click on www.ocvote.com/registration/register-to-vote and follow the easy steps. Same day voter registration will also be available at Vote Centers that will open 14 days before election day, which is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Registrar’s office has done a detailed evaluation and lots of staff training to be ready for safe in-person voting at these Centers. That includes buildings that allow for social distancing at all times, frequent wipe downs, disposable pens and security envelopes, lots of markers, signage, and reminders to keep things flowing safely and smoothly.
CAST YOUR VOTE!
The Voter Information and Sample Ballot booklet mailing to voters begins September 24th. This information will also be available online. Every registered voter will also be sent a ballot by mail. These come with pre-paid return envelopes. Mailing of ballots to voters begins October 5th.
There are three ways to vote and you can track your ballot online to insure it reached the Registrar.
- Mail your ballot via US Postal Service mail.
- Drop your ballot into one of 110 Drop Boxes that will be available around Orange County. These are tamper-proof, 1,000-pound military grade steel boxes, with a drop slot big enough only for two envelopes, so no hand can reach in. They are open 24/7 and picked up daily or every other day. Phone numbers will also be available at the boxes for questions.
- Vote in-person at 167+ Vote Centers around Orange County. This is not the old polling place system. You can vote at any Vote Center that is convenient for you. They will have a full electronic roster to validate your eligibility so your vote will be final, not provisional.
VOTE by Tuesday, November 3, 2020!
BE COUNTED! Vote early this year. Your vote is so important!
USPS Mail might be slow. To be counted your ballot must be received
on or before election day, November 3,2020.
Update – Laguna – Quaint, Charming and Uncivil?
Civility Policy Update – “Blake reprimanded for online comments but not apologetic” – Stu News – Click here
Much like the rest of the country, quaint and charming Laguna Beach is faced with the growing concern over respect and civility among city leaders and constituents.
Recently, the City adopted a Civility and Decorum Policy to address the issue, the first in its history.
Laguna Beach’s newly adopted Rules of Decorum and Civility Policy, click here
The media has covered the issue of Laguna’s need for a civility policy.
Local Media’s Comments on City’s Civility issues:
Stu News: Council passes a resolution to reset the button on decorum and civility at public meetings – Click here
Laguna Beach Independent: Council Considers Tighter Code of Conduct – Click here
Orange County Register: Laguna Beach adopts rules of civility applying to leaders and community members at city meetings after months of discord – Click here
Voice of OC: One City Councilman and His Critics Have Laguna Beach in Uproar – Click here
Residents Comments on City’s Civility issues:
Howard Hill comments on Citywide Civility issues – Click here
Mike Morris comments on Peter Blake’s in-office behavior – Click here
Please tell us what you think: leave a comments below!
Guest Letter from Resident Mike Morris
I’ve been attending City Council meetings regularly for several years. I like civic engagement and hope that my singular focus on spending-issues has made positive contributions to our collective wallet. In the past, no matter the issue, no matter how contentious, there was always a level of decorum and civility that was impressive. I had the sense that everyone would have their say without fear of derision, ridicule or bullying. All of that changed on December 4, 2018 with the swearing-in of Peter Blake.
Now, council meetings are raucous and uncivil. Speakers have to expect disrespect from the dais if they dare comment on one of Mr. Blake’s many hot-button issues. If you are a member of Village Laguna, you have come to expect bullying, and diminishment as a member of a non-representative, stuck-in-the-past, overly powerful & busybody organization that is holding Laguna Beach back. I honestly admire the many VL folks (typically mature people) who never-the-less are compelled to speak their truth to power in the face of such behavior.
For all of the potential positive contributions that Mr. Blake could offer the city, I feel he limits his effectiveness because of his disrespectful and bullying nature. Unfortunately, I think he sees this as part of his appeal…his “brand” if you will.
I’ll probably be on the receiving end of Mr. Blake’s wrath for posting this. I’ve been on the receiving-end before, so it won’t come as a surprise. {Update: 31Aug19 – wrath received! :)}
(For those who want to verify that I have not in any way manipulated the video, the 1st clip is taken from the City Council meeting on 9July2019. The comments occurred at around 4:37 (4hours and 37 minutes). Item 18 was added to the agenda by Mr. Blake, and dealt with the possible “abandonment” of the walkways in Temple Hills. According to my records, 31 people spoke on the issue. 14: pro-abandonment, 15: anti-abandonment and 1 inconclusive. If you have the patience to listen to the City presentation on the topic, and all 31 speakers, you’ll witness other disrespectful behavior from Mr. Blake. The second clip is from Council meeting on 6Aug19, concerning item #13, changes to the DRB process. The last clip shows Blake cheer leading for an exceptional “retention raise” for our 3-yr Assist City Mgr, of $25,000/yr. My estimates of her total remuneration with this increase is $330,000/yr).
9July19 Council meeting – Constituents are Liars – https://youtu.be/VMe3g0sn7jI
6Aug19 Council meeting – denigrating VL – https://youtu.be/17aa_E-PuA8
23July19 Council meeting – “agent of change” – https://youtu.be/qllgdrYMemc
OC Voter Update 2019
More information can be found at ocvote.com/votecenter
Candidate’s Public Background Records
LBChat has compiled candidate statements, websites/podcasts, news articles and public information obtained from candidates and public information sources. This includes Campaign Finance Disclosure 460 Forms. And, this year we are setting the vetting bar higher by including the California Public Record Act Code# 6253 (CPRA) Laguna Beach Police contacts: arrests, restraining orders, repossessions and other violations. Please click here to go directly to LBCHAT/2024candidatepublicinformationdocuments. LBCHAT intends to obtain and publish all local and state public record documents related to campaign finance and personal and/or criminal background information on every candidate running for a Laguna Beach Public Office position every campaign year.
Thank you for being an informed voter. Our city’s health and future depends on it! LBCHAT
CHAT stands for City Hall Accountability and Transparency. Our Mission: Laguna Beach CHAT desires to advance accountability and transparency. We serve residents by providing them with an open and honest platform to gain knowledge about City officials, functions and decisions that impact our quality of life and our local community.
Lorene Laguna Statement On Endorsements
Lorene Laguna:
Independent candidate serving the residents of the community. Registered organizations endorsements:
NO POLITICAL ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN, PAC, candidate endorsement
NO SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP candidate endorsement
NO POLITICAL PARTY candidate endorsement, City Counsel is a NON-PARTISAN OFFICE
I retained the services of a professional Campaign Compliance Officer to serve as my Treasurer.
I believe it is unwise and puts campaign at risk to leave the FPPC filing responsibilities to an inexperienced volunteer.
Lorene Laguna
LoreneLaguna@Gmail.com
Blake Statement On Endorsements
PETER BLAKE:
I hate both the republicans and democrats equally. I’m an independent and have always been one. I.m pro-abortian, gay rights and not into your religion. On the other hand, I’m also not willing to work seven days a week to support your social programs and don’t stay up at night thinking about ways to defend a criminal’s rights.
I am not listing endorsements from individuals or any groups. I am accepting zero donations from PAC’s or special interest groups.They’re welcome to do whatever they want as Liberate Laguna has.
I have hired Campaign Compliance as my treasurer and they are responsible for all official filings.
There is no one who’s willing to acknowledge having anything to do with advising me on my campaign. I do get calls daily from well wishers advising me on everything I’m doing wrong. lol
Peter
Don’t Bury Our Money Underground! Vote No On Measure P
S.T.O.P. Team,
The Sales Tax Increase is now officially called “Measure P” and will appear on the November 6th ballot misleadingly titled as “Laguna Beach Utility Under-grounding and Fire Safety Measure.”
S.T.O.P. is ramping up to defeat Measure P as an unnecessary tax increase, the second in two years. We should PAY AS WE GO, let neighborhoods underground their own utilities at their own expense, and budget to underground utilities on Laguna Canyon Road, if desired for aesthetics, with our budget surpluses. We don’t buy the city’s “fear and fire” campaign. It’s fearmongering, and its false.
A broad spectrum of community groups oppose Measure P, including the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Orange County Taxpayers Association, both of which signed on to S.T.O.P’s ballot Opposition Argument.
WE NEED YOUR HELP to get the message our and educate your neighbors and friends to VOTE NO. Here’s how you can help:
- YARD SIGNS. “NO ON MEASURE P” yard signs will be available on Friday. Place them in your front yards or local businesses. Please contact us if you would like a yard sign. You can pick them up on Friday or email us and we will drop them off at your home.
- VOLUNTEER. We need volunteers to hand out literature around town, in your neighborhoods and at local events. Please contact us if can help out. We have the literature and hand outs.
- MAKE A DONATION. This is a grass roots efforts, and we need your help to offset costs for yard signs, fliers, mailers, postage and promotion materials to get the word out to VOTE NO on Measure P. You can mail a check to Stop Taxing Our Property to 2599 Glenneyre Street, LB 92651 or go to the STOP website atwww.stoptaxingourproperty.com and use the PayPal button to make a donation. Every little bit helps!
- DON’T VOTE FOR CANDIDATES THAT WANT TO TAX YOU! DON’T VOTE FOR Incumbents Toni Iseman, Rob Zur Schmeide, insider Sue Kempf, or Sue Marie Connelly. They all want to tax you, and put our city in its greatest debt ever by approving a $135 Million dollar bond.
Stop Taxing Our Property
Stop Taxing Our Property
www.stoptaxingourproperty.comThank you for your support. Together we can STOP the unnecessary sales tax increase and defeat Measure P.
Jennifer Zeiter, Co-Founder
949-715-8736 or Cell 408-832-7786
2599 Glenneyre Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Stop Taxing Our Property – S.T.O.P.
Outlook-1519089474.jpg
2018 PAC and 501(c)4 Group Campaign Disclosure Forms
Liberate Laguna – 410 2018 – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 460 Jan 1 – June, 2019 – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 460 Oct 21 – Dec 31, 2018 – Click here
Liberate Laguna PAC – 460 Sept 23 – Oct 20 2018 – redacted – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 460 July 1 – Sept 22, 2018 Amended – Click here
Liberate Laguna – 460 July 1 – Sept 22, 2018 – Click here
Liberate Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 Jan. 1 – June 2018 – Click here
Liberate Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 – Click here
Village Laguna (PAC):
Village Laguna – 460 Jan 1 – Jun 30 2019 – redacted – Click here
Village Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 Oct 21 – Dec 31, 2018 – Click here
Village Laguna – 460 Sept 23 – October 20 2018 – amended – Click here
Village Laguna – 460 Sept 23 – October 20 2018 – redacted – Click here
Village Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 Jan. 1 – June 30, 2018 – Click here
Village Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 July 31 – Sept. 22, 2018 – Click here
Village Laguna Campaign Contributions Form 460 July 31 – Sept. 22, 2018 redacted – Click here
Undergrounding Laguna:
Undergrounding Laguna Now changed to Yes on P to Protect LB – 460 September 23 – October 20 2018 – redacted – Click here
Undergrounding Laguna Now Campaign Contributions Form 460 April 26 – June 30, 2018 – Click here
Undergrounding Laguna Now (Yes on P) Campaign Contributions Form 497 Sept. 11, 2018 – Click here
Undergrounding Laguna Now (Yes on P) Campaign Contributions Form 497 Sept. 19, 2018 – Click here
Underground Laguna Now changed to Yes on P to Protect LB – 460 July 1 – September 22 2018 – redacted – Click here
Stop Taxing Our Property – 460 Oct 1 – Oct 25 2018 – redacted – Click here
Yes On P – Click here
Laguna Beach Police Association – 460 July 1 – Oct 20 2018 – Click here
Peter Blake
Candidate Website here
Form 460 Campaign Funding Disclosure Statements:
Blake Peter – 460 Oct 21 – Dec 31, 2018
Blake Peter – 460 July 1 – September 22 2018
Blake Peter – 460 January 1 – June 30 2018
Blake Peter – 460 September 23 – Oct 20 2018 – redacted
Blake Statement on Endorsements Oct. 1, 2018 – Click here
How Laguna gallery owner Peter Blake got calm, cool, collected – Orange County Register
Meet the man who wants to save Laguna Beach – LA Times
Gallery owner Peter Blake files Intent To Run form – Stu News
Laguna Beach Local News Crowd Queues to Unseat Council Incumbents – Laguna Beach Indy
Stu News and KX 93.5 FM Candidate Debate – Watch here
Steve Robbins Letter –
City Council Candidates – November 6, 2018 Election
1) Elizabeth (Liz) Bates liz@lizforlaguna.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/17/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 10, 2018 (Signatures verified by ROV – no Candidate Statement)
2) Peter Blake peterblakegallery@mac.com. Picked up nomination papers on 08/06/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 13, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Peter Blake
3) Ann Christoph ann@ac-la.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/25/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 10, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Ann Christoph
4) Sue Marie Connolly suemarieinlaguna@qmail.com. Picked up nomination papers on 08/10/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 15, 2018 Signatures verified by ROV – no Candidate Statement
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Sue Marie Connolly
5) Toni Iseman tiseman2@aol.com. TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 9, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Toni Iseman
6) Sue Kempf sueforcouncil2018@gmail.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/16/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 8, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Sue Kempf
7) Cheryl Kinsman carolijkahn@gmail.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/16/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 14, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Cheryl Kinsman
8) Lorene Laguna lorenelaguna@gmail.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/24/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: JULY 30, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Lorene Laguna
9) Judie Mancuso judie@judiemancuso.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/16/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 2, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Judie Mancuso
10) Allison Mathews jackalstudio16@qmail.com. TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 10, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Allison Mathews
11) Paul Merritt merrittmaster@yahoo.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/25/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 10, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV)
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Paul Merritt
This Candidate has withdrawn from the Election and is No Longer running for City Council. 12) Rob Zur Schmiede robz@voterobz.com. Picked up nomination papers on 07/19/18 TURNED IN nomination papers: AUGUST 6, 2018 (Candidate Statement & Signatures verified by the ROV).
Check out Candidate Community Related Articles and Opinions: Rob Zur Schmiede
Media and General Public Candidate Related Articles and Opinions for the November 6, 2018 Election Below:
LB Indy Columnist Billy Fried, “The Kibitzer: It’s Carnival Time”
Letter: Council Candidates Owe Voters Transparency – Laguna Beach Indy Newspaper
Liberate Laguna Wants Developer-Friendly Council –Laguna Beach Indy Newspaper
Updated – Public Safety Message from the Chief of Police
2021 Update Laguna Beach Police Crime report here
2020 Update Laguna Beach Police Crime report here
Updated Police Documents – Story from Stu News click here
Read the 59 page Laguna Beach PD Biennial Report 2017-2018 here
Date: August 17, 2018
Laguna Beach Residents:
Over the past few months there has been much concern expressed about crime and safety in our city. LBCHAT reached out to Laguna Beach Police Chief Laura Farinella and asked her to respond to the safety concerns.
Here is Chief Farinella’s response:
The City of Laguna Beach is an extremely safe city, and all police department employees have positively contributed to the reduction in crime. We are currently fully staffed at the sworn ranks, and with the support of the professional staff, it is these layered services that gives us the ability to function as if we were a much larger agency.
With 24 thousand residents and 6.5 million visitors, we are continuously challenged to meet and balance the needs of both the residential and visitor population. On a monthly basis, the leadership team meets to discuss crime and nuisance issues, and strategies to combat these issues, and how we can better engage with the community.
Here is some statistical data the police department maintains to monitor and analyze crime related activity.
Violent Crime Data here
Traffic Data* here *Laguna’s traffic accidents have actually decreased and the below chart shows that Coast Hwy (PCH) made up, on average, 22% or 13%, depending on where on Coast Hwy., and this is comparing three years of data. It may feel like more because PCH is used to get to where an accident may be and is the fastest way to get there. We use the data in the chart below to focus traffic enforcement and education.
Police Department August 15, 2018 SL Presentation here
Please direct questions on the data provided to: lfarinella@lagunabeachcity.net or call 949-497-0385.
___________________________________________________
LBCHAT supports Chief Farinella and our public safety staff. She takes an inclusive approach to leading and it is making a positive difference in our community. She is proud of our City, our public safety department staff and the progress made in connecting with residents and serving our extremely large tourism base.
Please share your thoughts with us? click here
As a resident, do you feel safe at home?
Do you feel safe while out and about in our City?
Do you think the City is providing adequate public safety services?
What areas do you feel could be improved?
Have you contacted the City with public safety concerns in 2018?
Do you have personal story to share?
Do you attend City Hall Meeting?
Are you aware that the City offers community educational and training classes for residents?
Guest Review: South Laguna Tourist Quagmire
Date: August 16, 2018
Subject: August 15, 2018 meeting on tourist Impacts in South Laguna.
Comments from South Laguna resident Michele Monda:
I attended the South Laguna Civic Association (SLCA) meeting on Wednesday night (August 15th) to hear an update on what the Laguna police, lifeguards and county parks staff are doing to make South Laguna safer. “I was delighted to hear that with the increased beach patrols, citations are up and crime and nuisance complaints are down.”
Questions among the 25 people who attended were related to what could be done about the lack of toilets, increased jay walking across PCH and the parking problem that has not been resolved. City staff said they would look into these issues. So, “I guess we still have a ways to go to address the South Laguna tourist quagmire.”
Michele Monda
South Laguna
View the LB Police Department August 15, 2018 Presentation. Click here
Please share your thoughts with us. Click here
Did you attend this meeting?
Do you live in South Laguna?
What specific issue(s) prompted you to attend the meeting?
Were you satisfied with the City progress report?
Were you satisfied with the OC Parks report?
Did you agree with the statistics provided in the reports?
Are there other issues you are concerned about that weren’t covered?
What issue have they addressed that you are most relieved or pleased about?
Have you personally contacted the City or County to report on an issue in 2018?
Anything else you would like to share?
Thank you! The more we speak up the more we improve our quality of life in South Laguna and our City.
Guest Article – Coastal Short-Term Rental Supporters Ignore Historic Nuisance Laws
Coastal city Short-Term Rental proponents ignore legally-binding land use
concepts, typically using meritless, fatally flawed arguments at hearings.
They’re good for business? Unfortunately, coastal trends since 2000
are “Commerce first, residents second.” By residents I mean those NOT
owning potential STR parcels.
Favoring commerce over 40+% of the population who rent year-round plus
percentages of full-time owners not wishing to acquire permits, that constitute
an incontestable majority, the commerce tail is wagging the communal quality
of life dog.
Beyond permit fees, there’s no proof that more STR would appreciably increase
general municipal revenue via boarders spending significant taxable amounts
at businesses. Often tenants are extended families and friends. They’ll be
saving money by cooking and drinking at the rental, not out.
They increase or assist public access to our beaches? A classic straw man
argument. Yes, a few hundred more people will be ensconced, but the Cal
Coastal Commission is dead wrong on this one. Otherwise, why allow more and
more parking meters, increasing rates plus climbing violation fees? Aren’t
limited time meters a form of infringement, inhibition or visitation disincentive?
Coastals increasingly allow increased intensification of use for restaurants and
bars without demanding increased onsite parking. Why doesn’t the CCC object
to that, these sites eat up yet more public parking, thus decreasing access,
don’t they?
STR’s homes are their castle, limitations constitute a de facto taking? That
ignores the basics of common civility, public and private nuisance laws traced
back to King Henry III:
“Private nuisance: An unreasonable, unwarranted invasion, where actions of
the defendant cause a substantial interference with another’s use/enjoyment
of their property. Public nuisance: The defendant’s actions materially affect
the reasonable comfort and convenience of life of the community.”
No one has the inalienable right to use their property to the diminishment of
their neighbor(s). Yes, some operators are vigilant and do not abuse the terms
and conditions. The nightmares abound, absentee owners are trying to
maximize income to offset, mitigate their taxes and maintenance. They bought
the parcel without STR rights: Enhancing private revenue models is NOT the
community’s problem.
The sales industry knows this, the Real Estate Disclosure Act of 1987 is explicit:
Seller MUST disclose any adverse condition that COULD affect the value. Listed
housing is theoretically forced to reveal the obtrusive potential if in proximity.
STR actually diminish property values, now THERE’S a fiscal infringement,
irregular taking including tort (litigation) exposure.
*Roger E. Bütow is a professional land use consultant and 46-year
resident of Laguna Beach
STOP Place Local Ads On Undergrounding
Guest Letter – Why Underground Powerlines?
Why do City Councilmembers think it’s the resident taxpayers’ responsibility to pay for these misguided “Key Evacuation Routes” (“KER”) on state-owned LCR, Glenneyre/Monterey St and Virginia Way at double expense bonds and forever one percent sales tax to finance [the] Proposed Underground Tax and Bond agenda that “our Council” voted 5-0 to pursue?
There’s no fire danger on our City owned streets mentioned above. It’s a dinosaur concept…and for these additional reasons:
Edison/SDG&E have funded Undergrounding Programs of $125k annually. Caltrans is already planning/responsible to widen and underground Laguna Canyon Road (LCR); controls that State Owned Right of Way; and will pay with power companies like Big Bend area in 2016. I observed when there’s a serious fire like 1993, smart residents and guests did head for the Beach as a quick fourth real escape route, where you’re safe/can see what’s happening, as government officials, and resting firefighters did and they parked on Coast Hwy. You’re not going to head for any “KER” mentioned above…who “thought” those up?
I estimate the actual undergrounded portion of Laguna is closer to 80 percent (not the 40 percent Whalen purports), when you exclude CalTrans/State-owned LCR Right of Way, and no fire issue streets/North Laguna alleys. The City shouldn’t ask residents to pay for state-owned LCR undergrounding! Existing annual Edison/SDG&E Funding, credits purchased can take care of the few real powerline/traffic conflict locations left in the City for safety without bonds and one percent added sales tax that hurts local business and taxpayers. (Link to Bob Whalen’s Guest Column: http://stunewslaguna.com/archives/front-page-archive/26953-guest-column-bob-whalen-103117)
Councilmember Whalen no longer mentions the topic of residents: 1-who paid for undergrounding in previously completed private districts, 2-are currently paying these Underground Tax Assessments (CFD’s), and 3-who [will] soon pay the $40 to $80k cost (Coast Royale, SoLag). Where’s this “Second Ballot measure” to exempt them now Bob, vs your current proposal for previously paid residents to pay a second time, to favor 20 percent plus of residents who haven’t paid, including four of five Councilmembers, ready CFD residents put on hold? I can comment both sides of the argument of the City’s Bond/Tax Measure – have one residence with, one without underground/views. I chose to pay off, instead of double cost/30 year bond.
The City has managed 40 plus years of these Undergrounding Assessment Districts since the 1970s, and it now proposes to dupe past participating owners to pay it twice? Those seven active City’s Districts that were almost finalized are now on hold (to chase this obsolete idea of undergrounding taxation) with another bond measure against our properties, and a one percent forever sales tax that isn’t directed at specified items! Could this big $$$ actually go to pay unfunded Pension Plans or free undergrounding for those who haven’t paid for it – which might be the real reason, not fire safety and ”KER”? Informed residents say yes, absolutely – look at other City slush funds misdirected from other purposes (i.e. Parking Fund for decades, $4 million from Measure LL – Bed Tax allocated on 10/24/17).
The City Proposal to underground with 24,000 residents voting on a ballot is deceptive. Actually, 14,400 resident owners/taxpayers would bear this expense. It’s manipulative to propose a measure for a vote when 40 percent of residents are renters; and additionally 17 percent are absentee owners who can’t vote on what financially affects them. It’s also a disservice and betrayal of trust to owners who paid to underground for uncluttered ocean views. Forcing owners to pay twice constitutes fraud in my view, and could start a class action lawsuit for past payment damages by 40 plus years of previously paid owners as plaintiffs. Ask the Coast Royale owners after they pay their assessment to pay it twice, not!
I think all Laguna Locals should view this YouTube Video: “Tony Seba: Clean Disruption – Energy & Transportation” www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b3ttqYDwF0, to see the future of Energy/Transportation, that will shock you to see changes, future and overhead utilities are ancient technology, obsolete in 10-20 years. This Illustrates questionable leadership and lost $$$ spent to date by City to underground, and if understood, no need for undergrounding ballot vote.
To share a joint idea with another like-minded Lagunan – we suggest inviting Elon Musk to town as our guest. He’s a forward thinker, would be a great neighbor, and ask him to partner up to make Laguna Beach the first Solar City with his roof tiles, battery back up/Peaker Units, and his Tesla cars and trucks. If we added farming upper Laguna and Aliso Canyon valley floors after planner Sir Ebenezer Howard’s 1898 model for a Garden City, linking our work/jobs, farmlands, residential neighborhoods and recreational parks with pedestrian/bikeways it would be the live/work Utopian City of sustainability, surrounded by Greenbelts & Pacific Ocean. After all, Elon just works up the road in Hawthorne @ SpaceX, and he might need a second getaway beach home he can rocket to.
Bryan T.S. Menne – 54 year Laguna Resident, Former OCFD Paid Call Firefighter South Laguna-Station 6, Land Planner & CA Registered Landscape Architect.