City Releases List of Key 2011 Accomplishments. What Do You Think?

The city of Laguna Beach released its annual list of what city government accomplished during 2011. The list is below.

We want to know what you think. Was there anything else you wished the city could have done this past year? Some law or regulation or expense that was approved which you think was totally uncalled for? Anything your elected leaders shoulda-woulda-coulda done better? Did they do too much of one thing, and not enough of something else?

Comment away in our comments box below!

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Community Development:

• Opened the building, planning and zoning counter during all business hours.
• Implemented a state-of-the-art computer system to integrate planning, zoning, building, and code enforcement activities while also improving coordination with other departments.
• Approved ordinances to regulate medical marijuana dispensary facilities.
• Approved “A Guide to Residential Development” to assist citizens through the design review process.  The Guide subsequently received an award from the Orange County Section of the California Chapter to the American Planning Association for Focused Planning Issue.
• Approved an ordinance clarifying major remodel definitions.
• Purchased tablet computers to assist building inspectors when working in the field.
• Approved ordinance amendments regarding hedge height and residential care facilities.
• Held a facilitated retreat for Design Review Board members and staff.
• Approved a new signage plan for the interior and exterior of City Hall.
• Received approval from the California Coastal Commission of a comprehensive update to the City’s Land Use Element. City Council action is still required on the revisions approved by the Coastal Commission.
• Adopted new “sustainability” design review criteria.
• Adopted additional noticing requirements for tenants within 100 feet of a development project.
• Adopted ordinance amendments to improve the Temporary Use Permit process.
• Authorized funding for a comprehensive parking management plan for the downtown and Laguna Canyon Road.
• Amended ordinances to allow compact parking spaces and bicycle and motorcycle parking spaces to count towards parking requirements throughout the City. Offsite parking spaces may also count towards parking requirements.
• Staff worked with the Insurance Services Office Inc. (ISO) to upgrade the City’s Building Code Effectiveness Grading Classification to Class 2 for residential properties. This should have a favorable effect on property insurance rates.

Public Facilities:

• Replaced and relocated street lights along Laguna Canyon Road near the Sawdust Festival.
• Following the December 2010 Storms, emergency repairs were made to the Main Beach boardwalk, dog park, ACT V parking lot, shed behind City Hall, and numerous other facilities.
• Worked with FEMA, CALEMA, the Federal Highway administration and insurance providers to secure $1.6 million of reimbursement for disaster related expenses and the City is still pursuing another $855,000 in reimbursements from FEMA.
• Secured the entitlements to build a new Lifeguard Headquarters facility with new public restrooms and construct a new lift station at Main Beach.  Construction for the new lift station started in October 2011.
• Completed a renovation of Heisler Park in time for the summer season.
• Completed a substantial renovation of the animal shelter while dealing with flood damage and operating out of temporary facilities to ensure that services would continue while the permanent facility was renovated.
• Obtained a grant for the design of a right turn lane on Northbound Coast Highway at Broadway.
• Replaced the oxygen generator at the Bluebird SOCWA lift station having better energy efficiency and installed a sound attenuation system to address the new sound palette of the oxygen generator.
• Conducted field investigation in undocumented portions of the Hidden Valley sewer pipeline system and performed sewer main improvements to ensure pipeline access.
• Replaced the obsolete automated transfer switches at both the Laguna SOCWA and Bluebird SOCWA lift stations. The new switches provide better maintenance and operational capabilities.
• Installed an emergency dry well pump at the Laguna SOCWA sewage lift station to prevent flooding in the pumping room to facilitate repairs in an emergency.
• Replaced the windows and roof at the Lang Park Community Center.
• Installed energy efficient lighting, heating and ventilation equipment in City Hall.
• Replaced the windows at Fire Station Four.
• Repaired 10,000 square feet of sidewalk.
• Constructed a new sidewalk on Hillcrest Drive between High Drive and Dolphin Way.
• Completed a revision of the flood plain maps for Canyon Acres revised to reflect drainage improvements in the area and help residents secure insurance.
• Declared a surplus and closed out the Cerritos/Dunning underground utility assessment district.
• Declared a surplus and closed out the Harold/Poplar/High Drive underground utility assessment district.
• Formed the Allview Terrace underground utility assessment district.
• Completed FEMA funded major storm damage repair of the Main Beach Boardwalk, Dog Park Storm Drain, Parking Sheds behind City Hall, and at various other incidental storm damage locations.

Public Safety:

• Coordinated with the Regional Water Control Board staff to secure an Independence Day fireworks display permit.
• Completed a new customer service survey form for the Police Department and placed the form on the department website.
• Implemented a program to reduce false alarms by working with the top ten violators.
• Worked with the Orange County Fire Authority and Newport Beach Fire Department to develop fire management plans for Newport Coast and Aliso Wood Canyon and participating in training regarding the new plans.
• Repaired dirt fire roads damaged during the December floods.
• Purchased tablet computers to assist paramedics and firefighters with in field reporting and eliminating the need for duplicate data entry.
• Purchase new extrication equipment for two City Fire Engines.
• Installed a new camera system to allow lifeguards to view more of the beach and ocean to the north of the lifeguard headquarters building.
• Implemented a new online reporting system for reporting minor crimes.
• Updated the City Emergency Management Plan.
• Became an active member of a county-wide program to better schedule court appearances by police officers and reduce overtime costs.
• Installed sharrows in north Laguna to support bicycle riding.

Miscellaneous:

• Installed the “Breaching Whale” sculpture in Heisler Park before the summer season.
• Installed two electric vehicle charging stations which were purchased with grant funds.
• Worked with private citizens to acquire pieces of the World Trade Center for a public art project.
• Approved a plan to preserve the Big Bend property and create a wildlife corridor.
• Implemented a new system to monitor telephone usage in City Hall.
• Implemented a system to allow some business licenses to be renewed online.
• Increased alternative fuel trolleys by four vehicles, bringing the City’s fleet to a total of 18 alternative fuel vehicles.
• Installed a new propane tank for trolleys to reduce refueling time.
• Installed GPS tracking on Mainline buses for management and public access to bus locations.
• Added Laguna Beach Transit routes and schedules to Google’s Transit Trip Planner.
• Added a link to the City’s transit web page on OCTA’s web site.
• Held a disaster workshop for members of the community.
• Implemented a traffic alert system that works via email or text message.
• An Emergency Preparedness Committee was established.
• Established a Flood Mitigation Task Force which completed its report in November.
• Approved regulations regarding skateboarding.
• Acquired several parcels for open space in Arch Beach Heights.
• Replaced network cabling in City Hall to improve the speed of the network.
• Restructured contracts to ensure ongoing operations at the Alternative Sleeping Location.
• Installed new interpretive signs in Heisler Park.
• Approved regulations to address outdoor lighting.
• The 2011 Investment Policy received the “Certificate of Excellence” award from the Association of Public Treasurers’ of the United States and Canada.
• The City received $49,000 in donations for the arts.
• Completed a yearlong Arts and Economic Prosperity Study.
• Distributed 14 grants to non-profit arts organizations totaling $135,166.
• Held three “Artist Open Studio” events with 26 participating artists.
• Facilitated art exhibits at City Hall.
• Distributed $226,900 in Community Assistance Grant funds to 35 local non-profit organizations.