Storm Season Prep; Lifeguard HQ Update

News update from Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig:

Juried Fine Art Exhibition - A reception and awards ceremony for the exhibition “Juried Fine Art” was held on Thursday, November 1, 2012 at City Hall. The exhibit features the works of 40 selected artists juried by Laguna Beach artist Scott Moore. Mayor Jane Egly and Scott Moore announced the winners of the exhibition as 1st Place - Elizabeth MsGhee; 2nd Place - John Eagle; 3rd Place - Karen Hedges; each was awarded $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively. Honorable mention was awarded to Darcie Copeland, William Lowe, Jodi Weitzman, Kirsten Whalen and Annette Wimmer-Huling. The exhibit can be viewed through November 30, 2012. This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

Free Flu Shots and Health Expo at the Community & Susi Q Center - Free Flu Shots will be available on Friday, November 9, from 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Priority will be given to those 60 years and older from 8:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m.  The General public (age 18 and up) are welcome beginning at 9:30 a.m. Supply is limited and shots will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Health Expo will also include free hearing screening, blood pressure checks, fall prevention screening and consultation.  A variety of health professionals will be on hand to provide valuable information to the community.

Diversion Structures and Storm Season Preparation - The Water Quality Department will be preparing for the upcoming storm season by performing pre-storm preparations:  plugging manhole pick-holes, sealing the manhole lids in the canyon, and checking portable pumps.  It is also the time that the urban water diversion units are shut down for the season.  Every year the diversions prevent over six tons of pollutant-laden debris from reaching our beaches.

Laguna SOCWA Lift Station Cleaned - The wastewater pumping facility adjacent to the Lumber Yard parking lot was successfully cleaned on Tuesday.  Approximately three cubic yards, about 9,000 pounds, of debris was removed from the bottom of the wetwell.  After the well was cleaned the opportunity was captured to conduct a close inspection of the wetwell. 

Swift Water Rescue Training - Fire Department personnel are completing training that will lead to a State Fire Marshal Certification for Swift Water Rescue Technician at the Operational Level.   The training is being conducted by the City’s Marine Safety Department.  In addition to the training, the Fire Department received equipment from a federal grant, as a result of the December 2010 flooding incident in the City, to enable land based rescue operations during flooding situations.

Lifeguard Headquarters - The drilling and installation of the shoring pilings will continue for several months.  Currently, the shoring wall between the Inn at Laguna and the site is being installed.  Edison has just removed the 12,000 volt transformer from the site that used to power the abandoned sewer lift station.  This removal will allow the shoring work to begin along the Coast Highway side of the project.  A one-day lane closure of Coast Highway will occur next week to demolish an abandoned sewer manhole that is in the way of the shoring wall installation.  Although the shoring process is lengthy, the project is on schedule.