Bye-Bye, Coin-Only Parking Meters

News from Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig's office:

Credit Card Parking Meters Installation - Credit card parking meters are on order to replace the remaining 1,179 coin-only meters. A small lot of 60 meters have arrived and are being installed today on the outbound side of Laguna Canyon Road. The remaining 1,119 are scheduled to be installed the week of August 5.

Lifeguard Headquarters Art in Public Places - On Monday, July 22, 2013 the Arts Commission selected two finalists for the sculpture competition to install a low profile work in front of the Lifeguard Headquarters facility. Artists Stephen Fairfield of St. David, Arizona and Gail Folwell of Boulder, Colorado will develop proposals which will be presented to the Arts Commission on September 9, 2013.

Sewer Tunnel Stabilization and Pipeline Replacement Project - At the request of the South Coast Water District, the Planning Commission continued the review of the project to September 11.

City Hall Exhibition and Reception - On Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 5 p.m. the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association will host an artist reception at City Hall. The exhibition includes works from their artist membership and is titled “Dedicated to Painting the Landscape.” The exhibition and will be on display through August 16, 2013.

Trolley Service Ridership is Up 2% - Ridership on the free summer trolleys for the first four weeks of service was 213,646 compared with 209,182 for the same period last summer; that is a moderate 2% increase.

Summer Recreation Programs - Looking for fun and educational activities for your kids this summer? It is not too late to register for programs offered by the City of Laguna Beach!  To view available programs, please visit the City’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net and click on the “Recreation Activities” icon. For more information, contact the Community Services Department at (949) 497-0716.

DUI Checkpoint Friday - On the evening of July 26, the Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint.  Last Saturday night a DUI driver struck and broke an Edison pole on Laguna Canyon Road disrupting traffic in the Canyon all day Sunday and causing thousands of dollars in damages.  A month ago, another DUI driver was passing cars in the center lane on Laguna Canyon when she swerved and rear ended another vehicle sending the other driver to the hospital.  Drink responsibly and if you do drink, don’t drive!

Retirement of Graham Wright – The City will soon be losing one of its veteran employees.  After 40 years of service to the City of Laguna Beach in the Water Quality Department, Graham Wright plans to step into retirement in October.  We wish him and his wife Trish all the best. The process to recruit his successor is under way.