CITY COUNCIL WRAP

The following is from the Sept. 18 meeting of the Laguna Beach City Council.

Editor’s note: Members of the public generally are allowed three minutes-each to comment on issues not on the meeting agenda. The time may be shortened or lengthened at the discretion of the council.

?Louis Leo of North Laguna asked the council to revisit its hedge-height claims process. Leo said hedges on properties on both sides of his condominium are overgrown and under the current process, he must pay to file a claim.

Frank said hedge claims are contentious, often requiring more than one meeting and large chunks of staff time. Someone has to pay. In most cases, Frank said, the issue is view, which tends to be worth the claimant’s costs. The fee could be taken out of the general fund if the council prefers not to charge the claimant, but it would require a change in the ordinance.

However, if a hedge is intruding into the public sidewalk, as Leo claimed, the city can declare it a public nuisance that must be fixed.

Editor’s note: Consent calendar items are approved in one motion unless a member of the council, staff or public “pull” the item, which then requires opening it for public comment and a separate vote.

Approved without comment:

?Minutes of the Sept. 4 adjourned and regular meeting

?Denial of a claim filed by Diana Joyce Mitchell who fell in an area that is owned, controlled and maintained by Caltrans, not the city.

?General warrants totaling $2,145,653.04, issued Aug. 24 to Sept. 7 and payroll No. 5, in the amount of $756,597.86.

?Resolution extending the Bluebird Canyon Emergency Declaration, which is valid for only 21 days and must be renewed.

?Seven contracts: $209,722 to Artesia Glass Inc., $538,950 to City Commercial Plumbing Inc. and $781,644 to Acco Engineered Systems, all for the Community/Senior Center; $22,930 maximum to Mike Kowalski and Associates to design an urban water diversion unit at Fisherman’s Cove; $421,000 to Harris and Associates for survey, design engineering and construction engineering services for fiscal year 2008-09 street rehabilitation; $41,615 maximum to RBF Consulting for a Village Entrance additions to the Village Entrance traffic study; and $45,000 max to Walker Parking Consultants to prepare an assessment of downtown parking needs.

?A $14,898 bid from Huntington Beach Honda for the city purchase of one 2007 ST13000 police motorcycle.

?Re-appropriate $40,022,730 to provide continuing funding for projects in progress at the end of the last fiscal year and $9,737,474 in revenues expected in the current fiscal year, with formal notation on specific items on which a council member abstains.

Pulled for discussion:

?Revocable Encroachment permit modification for a project at 2209 Crestview Place denied. 5-0

?Date for interviews and appointments of two regular members and one alternate to the Board of Adjustment/Design Review Board set for Nov. 20. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk by 5 p.m., Nov. 13.

Item 26 in the Aug. 27 meeting was approved as written. However the council scheduled a hearing at Tuesday’s meeting to discuss staff’s interpretation of the council’s direction on the item, specifically the exterior dimensions of a proposed elevator for a home at 29 Bay Drive.

The council reviewed the required findings for denial of a tentative parcel map and directions to staff on the decision. The council’s previous interpretation was reversed and the map and Coastal Development Permit for 346 Y Place was approved, Mayor Iseman opposed.

Iseman said her “no” vote reflected her concern about the negative declaration of adverse impacts of the project and the size.

?Board of Adjustment approval of a variance for a residential project at 2095 Temple Hills Drive upheld, with conditions imposed by the council. 5-0

?Design Review Board denial of modifications to an approved design for 867 S. Coast Hwy. upheld. 5-0