City Council Meeting Wrap-Up

The following is from the Laguna Beach City Council meeting of Oct. 5.

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Investment policy online

City Treasurer Laura Parisi announced that a draft of the proposed investment policy for 2011 was posted on the city’s website in the Treasurer’s department and that she would like public comments.

The draft policy is more restrictive because mutual funds are no longer an allowable investment, she said.

Revisions are intended to clarify unauthorized investments and investments allowable under current California Government Code, as well as to define ethics and conflict of interest.

Parisi can be reached at lparisi@lagunabeachcity.net or by phone (949) 497-0327 between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

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Ballot measure supported

The council unanimously voted to support Proposition 22 on the November ballot, to support Proposition 1A, which was passed overwhelmingly by California voters as a means to protect local governments from raids on their revenue by the state legislature.

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Committee Appointments

The council voted 5-0 to expand the membership of the Housing and Human Services Committee to eight members in order to appoint all four applicants to the committee.

Iseman suggested the expansion because the committee does not take votes and therefore its actions are not affected by an even number of members.

WHAT IT MEANS

Incumbents Lauriann Meyer and Sally Rapuano were reappointed to the committee. Hotel owner Gail Duncan and registered nurse Laura Esposito were also appointed.

Terms run through Oct. 31, 2012.

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TUPS requests to be streamlined

The council unanimously approved at the second reading amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance and the Local Coastal Plan. The amendments streamline the approval process for temporary use permits as a way to improve the city’s business environment,

The amendment has been submitted to the California Coastal Commission for certification.

WHAT IT MEANS

The streamlined process was a recommendation by the Business Improvement Task Force to allow requests for TUPS to be reviewed over the counter at City Hall and approved by the Community Development Department director.

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Outdoor displays given a reprieve

A summer moratorium on a ban of outdoor retail displays was extended to Labor Day 2011 by unanimous vote.

WHAT IT MEANS

The municipal code which prohibits outdoor displays downtown will not be enforced at least until Sept. 30 next year.

Displays are allowed only on private property and must not impede the public right-of-way.

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Parking reduction granted

The council approved 5-0 the elimination of three parking spaces requested by the new owner of the former a la carte restaurant on South Coast Highway in return for expanding outdoor dining.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city encourages outdoor seating by reducing parking requirements. The outdoor dining area will have a total of nine seats.

—Compiled by Barbara Diamond