House Demolition; Tennis Court Funding; a New Police Sergeant

Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig's weekly update:

View Equity Committee Meeting – Location Change - The next meeting of the City’s View Equity Committee will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.  The meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave.

Abatement of Non-Occupied Beach House and Infamous ‘Graffiti’ Wall - Starting this week, the property owner at 32201-32229 Coast Highway, in a cooperative response to a City Nuisance Abatement Order issued on March 8, 2013, pulled a Demolition Building Permit to demolish a wall and house on the beach.  This effort will take a few weeks while the demolition is occurring and all debris is legally removed from the beach and properly disposed.  Afterwards, there will be rehabilitation of the slopes per a City approved stabilization plan.  It is planned that the wall and home demolition and removal work will be accomplished prior to July 1, 2013.

Urban Water Diffusion Diversion Units Placed Online - The Water Quality Department will be placing the city's urban water diversion units back online for the summer season.  The city maintains 22 urban water diversion units primarily along the coastline.  These diversion units serve to redirect over irrigation and other non-storm water, collected in the storm drain, to the sewer system.  These structures function to divert pollutants such as brake dust, oil, hydrocarbons from tires, fertilizers from landscaping, pesticides, and other debris to the sewer system.  Over the course of a year, an average of about 8 tons of debris and pollutants are pulled out of the diversion structures and hauled away for disposal.  The work will be completed over the next couple of weeks.

Rockledge Lift Station Reconstruction Project - The infrastructure in the Rockledge neighborhood dates back 80 years.  Over the course of time, many of the utilities that were in the ground were abandoned and forgotten. The project to replace the sewage lift station is underway and should be completed.

Community Services Summer 2013 Preview - Now you don't need to wait for the next Recreation Brochure to plan your child's summer activities! The Community Services Department is now offering a “Summer 2013 Preview,” which allows parents to register for popular summer programs.  The Summer Preview can be accessed online at www.lagunabeachcity.net (click the “Recreation Activities” icon) or at the Recreation Building at 515 Forest Avenue.  Sign up now to ensure your spot this summer!

High School Tennis Courts – The City budget has included $210,000 for the last two years to refurbish the High School Tennis courts.  In the proposed budget that comes out May 1, the City Manager will recommend that another $100,000 be set aside for a total of $310,000 in City Funds for improvements to the courts.  The City typically pays 70% of the cost to maintain the courts and the School District contributes 30%.  The City funding is intended to maintain the current amenities at the courts in good condition for public use.

The School District is currently evaluating additional features that could be incorporated into the project scope of work, including upgrading to post-tension court slabs, replacement of the existing bleachers and shade structure, construction of a new courtside storage building, and new landscaping.  Depending on the School District’s desired scope enhancements, the total cost of the project could increase to $670,000 – $1,196,000.  City funds have not been identified for these additional improvements.

Police Department Promotes New Sergeant - After completing an internal promotional exam, Corporal Tony White was selected for promotion to sergeant.  Tony is best known as the officer with the English accent and has been a police officer since September 2000. Sergeant White will be assigned to patrol as a supervisor and Watch Commander.

Coffee with a Cop - On Wednesday morning the Police Department conducted a special interactive meeting titled “Coffee with a Cop” which was part of an outreach program for the business community.  Department experts in traffic, parking, fraud, theft, and nuisance issues were made available to attendees.  This was the first event of this nature.  Although lightly attended, the department hopes to conduct similar meetings for other groups and members of the community.

Saturday Road Closure - This Saturday, April 20, the City will be closing the lower portion of Park Avenue (at the intersection of Coast Highway and Park Avenue) for an Earth Day Festival.  The street will be closed to motorists from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.