No Butts, Booze or Brawling at the Bus Depot

News from the office of Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig:

No Smoking at Bus Depot - Within the next few weeks, the bus depot on Broadway will be posted “No Smoking.”  Complaints about various illegal activities including fighting, intoxicated persons passed out, drinking alcoholic beverages, and littering of cigarette butts reached an all-time high over the past eighteen months.  Although most of the violations have been addressed, there still remained concerns about smokers leaving cigarette butts around the area.  Current state law gives the Orange County Transit Authority the ability to restrict smoking.  At the City’s request OCTA has imposed this restriction and signs will be posted in the next few weeks.

Lifeguard Headquarters Art in Public Places - On Monday, July 22, 2013 the Arts Commission will select finalists for the sculpture competition to install a low profile work in front of the Lifeguard Headquarters facility. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

Artist Open Studios - The Arts Commission is currently inviting artists to participate in Artist Open Studios. The event is held on the first Saturday of every month from October through March. The event includes free parking and shuttle service from the Act V parking lot to studios located on Laguna Canyon Road. Artists open their studios from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and demonstrate their art and exhibit completed works. Interested artists should contact Siân Poeschl, Cultural Arts Manager by August 2, 2013 at spoeschl@lagunabeachcity.net

Arts Directory - The City of Laguna Beach Arts Directory is currently being updated. Artists, arts organizations and galleries should submit their information and an image by August 2, 2013 to spoeschl@lagunabeachcity.net

Sewer Alarm System Telemetry Upgrade - the City maintains 25 lift stations that serve to pump over 2,000,000 gallons of wastewater daily.  To monitor those facilities, the City relies on radio telemetry.  The alarm system monitors hundreds of mechanical and electrical conditions that could require immediate attention.  The City has successfully secured a new Federal Communications Commission radio frequency license.  This new license is a significant radio transmission upgrade and will provide the City with an alarm system having a higher degree of reliability.

479 Ocean Avenue - Escrow closed today on the building at 479 Ocean Avenue which is now owned by the City.  The City is planning to retain the existing tenants for at least the next year.