Community Outreach Town Hall Meetings

The City of Laguna Beach is hosting several Community Town Halls to provide an overview of City services, including public safety, infrastructure, and utility undergrounding. These meetings will also include discussion of the City’s budget outlook, Charter City, and potential revenue options for voters to consider.

Community Town Hall: Flyer

Zoom Link for May 20, 2026, Town Hall from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.:

https://lagunabeachcity.zoom.us/j/95842144067

Thursday, February 19, Town Hall

Town Hall Summary (Watch the You Tube Video HERE) (Presentation)

City Services, Infrastructure, and Fiscal Outlook

The City hosted a community Town Hall to provide an overview of municipal services, infrastructure reinvestment, and the City’s fiscal outlook. The meeting included a staff presentation followed by an open question-and-answer session.

The summary below highlights major topics discussed but does not reflect every comment or perspective shared. Residents are encouraged to watch the full Town Hall recording for complete context.

Summary of Staff Presentation

City staff presented information on (Power Point Here):

City Services
Laguna Beach is a full-service city operating its own Police, Fire, and Marine Safety departments. Public safety represents the largest portion of the General Fund budget. Staff reviewed annual call volumes, wildfire mitigation efforts, and marine safety operations serving more than six million annual beach visitors.

Infrastructure and Facilities
The City maintains 93 miles of streets, sewer and storm drain systems, parks, beaches, and public facilities. The Facilities Master Plan identified significant long-term maintenance and modernization for fire stations, police facilities, and other public buildings.

Fiscal Outlook
The City’s current budget is balanced; however, operating costs are increasing faster than revenues. Rising expenses include public safety staffing, insurance, fuel modification, infrastructure maintenance, and construction costs. Staff outlined efforts to manage expenditures and noted that long-term fiscal management may require a combination of service prioritization, operational efficiencies, and potential voter-approved revenue options.

Key Questions Raised by Residents (YouTube Video Here)

During the public discussion, several recurring themes emerged. The summary below highlights topics discussed but does not reflect every comment or perspective shared. Residents are encouraged to watch the full Town Hall recording for complete context:

1. “What cuts have been made before talking about new taxes?”

Many residents asked whether the City has reduced spending before considering additional revenue.

Staff Response:
The City has held positions vacant, reorganized departments, pursued grants, modernized systems, and reviewed service levels.

2. “Are visitors paying their fair share?”

Residents discussed the impact of visitors on parking, beaches, marine safety, and infrastructure.

Response:
Visitors contribute through sales tax, hotel tax (Transient Occupancy Tax), and parking fees. The City is reviewing parking policies and other options while also complying with State coastal access requirements.

3. “Can Marine Safety staffing be adjusted seasonally?”

Some residents asked whether staffing levels could be reduced during lower-demand periods.

Response:
Marine Safety staffing is based on safety standards and seasonal demand. Any changes would require careful review to ensure public safety is maintained.

4. “How are capital projects being prioritized?”

Residents expressed interest in focusing first on infrastructure before moving forward with other improvements.

Response:
The Facilities Master Plan is designed to phase projects over time. Funding and timing decisions will be discussed through future budget hearings and Council meetings.

5. “What revenue options are actually being considered?”

Questions were raised about potential sales tax or hotel tax measures.

Response:
No revenue measure has been approved. Any proposal would require City Council action to place it on the ballot and majority voter approval. Revenue from a general tax measure would go into the General Fund and could be used for general governmental purposes.

6. “What about becoming a Charter City?”

Some residents asked whether transitioning to a charter city could provide additional flexibility.

Response:
A charter city operates under a locally adopted charter and may have greater flexibility in certain municipal affairs, such as contracting and governance structure. However, it does not override State laws on matters like housing. Adoption would require public hearings and voter approval. No decision has been made.

Monday, March 9, Town Hall

Town Hall Presentation:

Slide Deck Presentation:

Slide Deck

Community Meeting Summary

(Meeting began at 6:00 p.m.)

The City hosted a community meeting that included a staff presentation followed by a question-and-answer session with attendees. The summary below highlights key topics discussed but does not reflect every comment or perspective shared.

Staff Presentation

The City Manager began the presentation at 6:00 p.m. and concluded at approximately 6:30 p.m. The presentation built upon materials previously shared at the February 19 Town Hall and included:

Overview of City services, infrastructure, and fiscal conditions
Discussion of increasing operational costs, particularly for public safety services
Introduction of the concept of transitioning to a charter city, which was added following the February 19 Town Hall discussion

Key Themes and Community Discussion

During the public comment and discussion period, several recurring topics emerged:

1. Parking and Employee Transportation

Questions were raised regarding use of the ACT V parking lot for City employees

Suggestions included shuttling employees to City Hall to reduce parking demand in the downtown area
Ongoing concerns about overall parking availability

2. Downtown Specific Plan and Traffic

Residents asked about the status and direction of the Downtown Specific Plan
Concerns were expressed regarding traffic congestion

3. Cost of Services and City Spending

Attendees noted rising costs for fire services and overall City staffing
Questions were raised about how Laguna Beach compares to other cities, including Anaheim, particularly regarding the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
Some participants suggested evaluating increases to the business license tax

4. Contracting and Charter City Discussion

Questions were raised about contracting out services such as parking enforcement and maintenance
Attendees asked whether becoming a charter city is necessary to expand contracting flexibility
General interest in understanding the benefits and implications of becoming a charter city

5. Public Safety Staffing (Marine Safety / Lifeguards)

Questions regarding lifeguard staffing levels, including coverage at beaches such as Victoria Beach
Suggestions to evaluate seasonal adjustments or reduced hours at certain locations

6. Development and Land Use

Questions regarding development potential on vacant lots
Broader concerns about housing, including affordability

7. Capital Projects and Community Amenities

Questions and comments regarding:
- Potential development of a pump track (with some expressing concerns)
- Completion of the Open Space Element
- Maintenance and beautification of parks, including concerns about overgrowth

Thursday, April 16, Town Hall

April 16, 2026 Town Hall Summary

Slide Deck

Overview

The City hosted a Town Hall on April 16, 2026, featuring a presentation on City services, public safety, infrastructure, and the City’s financial outlook. The session also included a robust community discussion, with residents raising questions and providing feedback on key local issues.

The summary below highlights major topics discussed but does not reflect every comment or perspective shared. Residents are encouraged to watch the full Town Hall recording for complete context.

City Services

Laguna Beach is a full-service city operating its own Police, Fire, and Marine Safety departments. Public safety represents the largest portion of the General Fund budget. Staff reviewed service levels, noting over 56,000 annual calls for service, increased enforcement activity, and expanded wildfire mitigation investments, including fuel modification zones and emergency preparedness improvements.

Infrastructure and Facilities

The City maintains extensive infrastructure, including streets, parks, beaches, sewer systems, and public facilities. Staff highlighted ongoing efforts to underground utilities and reduce wildfire risk. The Facilities Master Plan identifies significant long-term needs to maintain and modernize aging facilities, including fire stations, police facilities, and community buildings.

Fiscal Outlook

The City’s current budget is balanced, with a modest projected surplus; however, costs are increasing faster than revenues. Key cost drivers include public safety staffing, insurance, infrastructure maintenance, wildfire mitigation, and construction costs. Staff outlined cost-control efforts and noted that long-term fiscal sustainability may require a combination of service prioritization, operational efficiencies, and potential voter-approved revenue measures.

Key Questions Raised by Residents

During the public discussion, several recurring themes emerged. The summary below highlights topics discussed but does not reflect every comment or perspective shared.

1. “Why not increase enforcement on parking, noise, and violations?”

Residents raised concerns about noise, illegal parking, and limited enforcement in certain neighborhoods, including areas such as 8th and 9th Streets and West Street.

Response:
Staff noted that enforcement activity has increased, including a rise in citations. The City continues to evaluate enforcement strategies, including potential adjustments to improve compliance and parking availability.

2. “How is the City addressing parking demand and employee parking?”

Residents expressed concerns about downtown parking availability and the impact of employees from local businesses occupying limited spaces.

Response:
The City is evaluating parking management strategies, including enforcement, turnover, and potential use of alternative parking locations.

3. “What is being done about litter, beach maintenance, and public cleanliness?”

Concerns were raised about trash overflow and litter, particularly at high-use areas such as Thousand Steps Beach.

Response:
Staff highlighted increased public works efforts, including more frequent trash collection, additional bins, and enhanced cleaning schedules. The City continues to monitor conditions and adjust service levels as needed.

4. “What are the costs and responsibilities for maintaining public amenities like the Promenade?”

Residents asked about the long-term maintenance, cleaning, and security costs associated with public spaces.

Response:
Staff acknowledged that ongoing maintenance and operational costs are key considerations and are evaluated as part of the City’s budget and service planning process. Staff also noted that some of those costs are already included in the budget as the maintenance and operations of the Prominade is already part of the budget.

5. “What is the plan for undergrounding utilities and infrastructure improvements?”

Residents asked about undergrounding utility lines, particularly along Laguna Canyon Road, and associated costs. Questions were also raised about specific infrastructure elements, including a large pipeline.

Response:
Staff explained that undergrounding projects are often funded through assessment districts with partial City contributions. These projects are prioritized based on safety, wildfire risk reduction, and community interest.

6. “How is the City addressing commercial vacancies and economic vitality?”

Residents expressed concern about vacant commercial properties, including the former Gelson’s site, and asked about potential tools such as a commercial vacancy tax.

Response:
Staff acknowledged concerns and noted that economic development strategies and policy options may be considered as part of broader discussions on maintaining a healthy local economy.

7. “What is being done to address wildfire risk and emergency preparedness?”

Residents asked about fire mitigation, home hardening, and evacuation planning.

Response:
Staff highlighted ongoing investments in wildfire mitigation, including fuel modification zones, technology upgrades, and evacuation planning. The City continues to prioritize wildfire preparedness due to high fire risk conditions.

8. “What projects and developments are being considered in the community?”

Residents asked questions about specific sites and projects, including Laguna Canyon Road improvements, the Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD), Hotel Laguna, and Woods Cove.

Response:
Staff noted that project-specific details are addressed through separate public processes and hearings, and residents are encouraged to participate in those forums.

9. “What revenue options are being considered?”

Questions were raised regarding potential sales tax or Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) measures.

Response:
No revenue measure has been approved. Any proposal would require City Council action to place it on the ballot and majority voter approval. Revenue from general tax measures would be deposited into the General Fund for general governmental purposes.

10. “What about becoming a Charter City?”

Some residents asked whether transitioning to a charter city could provide additional flexibility.

Response:
Staff explained that a charter city allows greater local control over certain municipal affairs, such as contracting and governance structure, but does not override State law in key areas. Adoption would require public hearings and voter approval. No decision has been made.

Closing:

The Town Hall provided an opportunity for the community to engage directly with City staff on key service, infrastructure, and fiscal issues. Feedback received will help inform future City Council discussions, budget decisions, and community outreach efforts.

Wednesday, May 20, Town Hall - Zoom Webinar

Survey

Background Information for Residents

The City of Laguna Beach is committed to maintaining important local services. These include 9-1-1 police, fire, and marine safety response; wildfire mitigation and emergency preparedness; maintaining streets, sidewalks, parks, trails, and beaches; wastewater and storm drain infrastructure; affordable housing initiatives; cultural arts; and programs serving youth, seniors, and the broader community.

As a full-service city, Laguna Beach operates its own Police, Fire, and Marine Safety departments, responding to more than 56,000 calls for service each year and protecting over six million annual beach visitors.

At the same time, the City is experiencing rising costs for public safety, wildfire mitigation, infrastructure maintenance, insurance, technology, and facility upgrades. Many City facilities are aging and require significant reinvestment. The City’s Facilities Master Plan identifies substantial long-term investment to maintain or modernize fire stations, police facilities, community centers, and other public buildings.

While the City’s budget remains stable, projected expenditures are expected to outpace revenues in the coming years. In response, the City is reviewing service levels, operational efficiencies, long-term capital investment, and potential locally controlled revenue options to sustain and maintain City services.

This page provides information about the City’s services, infrastructure, and financial outlook.

Overview of Laguna Beach Services

Public Safety

Laguna Beach is a full-service city, operating its own Police, Fire, and Marine Safety departments to provide rapid, local emergency response.

Each year, City public safety personnel respond to more than 56,000 calls for service.

Police Department: Over 45,000 calls annually
Fire and Marine Safety: Over 11,000 calls annually
Marine Safety: Nearly 7,000 ocean rescues per year, protecting more than 6 million annual beach visitors

Two-thirds of Fire Department calls are for medical emergencies, and overall fire calls are up approximately 10% compared to 2019.

Crime rates have declined overall for three consecutive years. At the same time, overall calls for service during peak summer months have increased, reflecting visitor activity and service demands.

Public safety remains the City’s largest area of investment, accounting for approximately half of General Fund spending.

Emergency Preparedness & Wildfire Mitigation

Laguna Beach faces ongoing risks related to wildfires, coastal storms, and other natural hazards. Much of the City lies within a Medium, High, or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

In 2025, the City invested approximately $3.9 million in wildfire mitigation and fire safety efforts, including:

Expansion and maintenance of 27 Fuel Modification Zones (over 400 acres maintained)
Undergrounding utility lines along key evacuation routes
Public safety technology upgrades, including AI fire-detection cameras and communications improvements
Enhancements to evacuation planning and the Outdoor Warning System

The City continues to work with residents and utility providers to identify opportunities to underground overhead utility lines. These efforts are intended to:

Reduce wildfire risks
Safeguard evacuation routes
Improve service reliability
Enhance neighborhood aesthetics

Ongoing emergency preparedness planning focuses on maintaining infrastructure, strengthening response capabilities, and improving resilience to natural hazards.

Streets, Roads and Infrastructure

Laguna Beach maintains a wide range of public infrastructure that supports residents, businesses, and visitors. The City maintains 93 miles of streets and roads, 1,261 streetlights, 95 miles of sewer line, 78 miles of storm drains, and 26 sewer lift stations. The City also maintains 17 parks totaling 47 acres, 7.5 miles of coastline, three community centers, four fire stations, one police station, a Public Works yard, and trolley operations.

Facilities Master Plan

The City has adopted a Facilities Master Plan to evaluate and plan for the maintenance, modernization, or replacement of public buildings over time. The Plan provides a long-term framework for capital planning and identifies a range of potential investment levels depending on the scope of improvements.

The broader planning analysis identifies:

Approximately $314 million over time to maintain existing facilities (including seismic, roof, HVAC, ADA, and safety upgrades); or
An estimated $186 million to $440 million to modernize or replace facilities such as Fire Station No. 1, Police Department facilities, the Branch Library, the Community & Recreation Center, and Lang Park facilities.

In addition, the City has developed a phased implementation concept that organizes potential facility improvements into three general tranches over a 20-year horizon. Under this approach:

Tranche 1 (Years 0–5) focuses on near-term public safety and library upgrades, with an estimated conceptual investment of approximately $25 million. A small portion of funding has been identified; the remainder has not.
Tranche 2 (Years 5–10) and Tranche 3 (Years 10–20) outline additional administrative consolidation, park redevelopment, and fire station reconstruction concepts. Funding has not been identified for these phases.

The City Council has approved further evaluation of how to move forward with Tranche 1 priorities. No final funding decisions have been made.

More information on the Facilities Master Plan can be found here.

Housing

Under California law, the City of Laguna Beach must adopt a State-certified Housing Element and identify sites with sufficient zoning capacity to meet its assigned Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).

For the 2021–2029 (6th Cycle), the City must identify sites for 394 housing units, allocated as follows:

118 Very Low Income
80 Low Income
79 Moderate Income
117 Above-Moderate Income

The Housing Element, adopted in January 2023, identifies sites and zoning capacity to accommodate these units, as required by State law.

Identifying sites does not mean the City is constructing housing. In most cases, development would occur through private property owners or developers consistent with adopted zoning regulations.

State law requires cities to maintain a compliant Housing Element. If sufficient sites are not identified during one housing cycle, the obligation may carry forward into future cycles.

The Housing Element also includes programs requiring evaluation of zoning regulations, including potential updates to the Downtown Specific Plan, which are currently undergoing environmental review. The City recently completed an update of its Housing Element in June 2024 and in April of 2024 the City Council established the Laguna Beach Local Housing Trust Fund (LBLHTF).

City Charter?

Laguna Beach currently operates as a general law city under State statutes. A charter city operates under a locally adopted charter and may exercise greater authority over certain municipal affairs, such as contracting and governance structure. Adoption of a charter would require public hearings and voter approval. For more information, on please follow link to the informational page.

What is Our City’s Budget?

The General Fund is the City’s primary operating fund and supports services such as police, fire, marine safety, public works, parks, and administration.

For Fiscal Year 2025–26, the City anticipates approximately $98 million in expenditures and $96 million in revenues, resulting in a projected structural deficit of approximately $2 million.

Approximately 50% of General Fund expenditures support Public Safety, and approximately 16% support Public Works, including streets, roads, utilities, and infrastructure. The remaining funding supports community services, planning, administrative services, and other City operations.

Revenue sources include property tax, sales tax, transient occupancy tax (hotel tax), service charges, and other locally generated revenues.

The City’s economic outlook reflects modest revenue growth projections and ongoing cost pressures related to labor, construction, insurance, technology, and contracted services.

What has the City Done to Manage its Budget?

The City has been able to control and reduce costs by

Cutting $17 million from the budget during the pandemic.
Numerous efforts over the past decade to control pension costs.
Seeking State & Federal Grant opportunities for capital replacement and projects.
Renegotiating contracts wherever possible.

What is an Example of a Revenue Measure to Maintain Service Levels?

The City Council is considering a measure that would Increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate by up to 3% to help support its General Fund. Funding from this measure could help maintain the City’s finances and be used for City services including:

Maintaining 9-1-1 emergency police, fire, Marine safety response
Maintaining and improving streets and roads, sidewalks, crosswalks
Responding to Wildfires and Natural Disasters
Cleaning and Maintaining Public Areas
Maintaining parks, trails, and open space
Supporting affordable housing for seniors
And any other services and infrastructure maintained by the general fund.

This measure would have to be placed on the ballot by a 2/3 Super-Majority of the City Council and then approved by a majority vote of the City’s voters.