LAGUNA NIGUEL : It’s Official: City Is Open For Business

Capping a three-year struggle for self-government, new City Council members on Friday were sworn into office as their upscale community became officially recognized as the county’s 29th city.

During a two-hour inauguration ceremony that was marked with emotional speeches and martial music, the new council members also selected Councilwoman Patricia C. Bates to serve as the city’s first mayor.

“Today, we officially become citizens of the new City of Laguna Niguel,” Bates told the estimated 300 people who packed the YMCA gymnasium at Crown Valley Community Park.

“Our journey to this place in time has been a long one,” Bates said. “Today, the dream has been realized in the overwhelming approval of the voters.”

On Nov. 7, voters in Laguna Niguel approved cityhood by a resounding 89% affirmation. At the same time, voters chose Bates, James F. Krembas, Paul M. Christiansen, Larry A. Porter and Thomas W. Wilson to serve as council members.

It is the third community to incorporate in South County in two years. Mission Viejo became a city 18 months ago and Dana Point was incorporated in January.

Pro-cityhood leaders argued that the rapidly growing community southwest of Mission Viejo and north of San Juan Capistrano needed local representatives who would have a say in development issues.

Bates delivered her speech after she and fellow council members were sworn into office by U.S. Rep. C. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach), whose district encompasses the new 14-square-mile city.

Krembas was named mayor pro tem during the short council meeting that followed the swearing-in ceremony. The next council meeting will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the new city hall at 27821 La Paz Road.

The planned community of Laguna Niguel, named for a local Indian village, was started in 1960, according to James W. Smith, past director of the Laguna Niguel Community Services District.

The once almost-deserted region of rolling hills is now a growing community of 44,000 residents, who rank among the highest per-capita income groups in the county.

Beneath the good spirits on Friday, however, was an undercurrent of resolve to pursue a dispute with Dana Pont over Monarch Beach.

Laguna Niguel city officials claim that the beachfront property to the south of the city, rich in tax revenue, should not have been included in Dana Point’s city limits when that city was incorporated in January.

Two lawsuits have been filed by Laguna Niguel officials in an effort to claim rights to the land.