Laguna Firefighters Help Out in Kern County Blaze

Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig's weekly update:

Laguna Beach Firefighters Assisting in Kern County - On August 11, 2012 Laguna Beach firefighters were requested as part of an Orange County Strike Team to assist at the Jawbone Complex Fire in Kern County.  Firefighters responded in the City’s brush engine, a four wheel drive fire engine designed for wildland firefighting assignments.  The Jawbone Complex started on August 10, 2012, is 70% contained and has burned 12,462 acres as of 8:00 a.m. August 16, 2012.

General Municipal Election, November 6, 2012  - Five candidates qualified for the City Council election. In alpha order they are Steve Dicterow, Jane Egly, Verna Rollinger, Robert Ross, and Bob Whalen. Laura Parisi is unopposed for the office of City Treasurer, and Lisette Chel-Walker is unopposed for the office of City Clerk. The Laguna Beach Open Space Acquisition and Preservation Parcel Tax Measure “CC” will also be on the November ballot.

Heritage Fields Project in Irvine - The City of Laguna Beach has reached agreement with the City of Irvine that each agency will retain special legal counsel to address legal issues related to the processing of the Draft Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report and related land use entitlements.  This is necessary because Phil Kohn, Rutan and Tucker, serves as the City Attorney for Laguna Beach and Irvine.  Neither City Attorney Kohn nor any other attorneys in his office will be advising either City regarding the processing of these matters for this project.

The cities have also agreed to one very limited exception for the Assistant City Attorney for Irvine, Jeff Melching, Rutan and Tucker, which allows him to continue working for Irvine solely related to negotiations between the City of Irvine and FivePoint Communities (the private developer) regarding public improvement obligations for the Orange County Great Park, which is separate from the processing activities.

Lastly, the City of Laguna Beach has retained the law firm of Fitzgerald, Abbott & Beardsley, LLP, and traffic engineering consultant Daniel Smith of Smith Engineering & Management to evaluate the Draft Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Report and submit comments.  The public comment period has been extended to September 7, 2012.

Sunset Serenades - The Arts Commission will be presenting Sunset Serenades every Friday evening in September at the Heisler Park amphitheater. Performances start at 5:30 p.m. with live music by 9/7 Jessica Haddy Trio (Violin/Piano/Guitar); 9/14 Lisa Nemzo (Singer/Songwriter); 9/21 Nancy Sanchez (Jazz Vocalist); and 9/28 Phantom Tortoise (Contemporary Folk). This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

Juried Fine Art Exhibition - The Arts Commission is currently accepting applications for the annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition. The competition is open to Orange County artists 18 years of age or older. Juror Scott Moore will review submissions with 1st place receiving $1,000, 2nd $500 and 3rd $250. The deadline to apply is September 10, 2012. The entry fee is $25 and applications must be made by uploading images to this city website here.