Resilience, Recovery in 2020 Laguna Beach State of City Address

On Tuesday, Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen praised the resilience of the community, the decisions of the City Council and the quick response of the City during the pandemic in his 2020 State of the City Address, held via Zoom.

"There was no playbook for this pandemic," Whalen told the virtual audience. "But from the overall response I have received from the community, I believe this group hit most of the right notes in balancing public health concerns with the need to reopen businesses and public services safely."

Whalen said larger decisions made by the City Council during the pandemic, like closing and opening City beaches, trailheads, canceling 4th of July events and trolley service helped protect public safety during difficult circumstances.

The City was also the first in Orange County to issue an Emergency Order requiring face coverings, the first to create a "Mask Advisor" program and distribute free masks to the public, and the first to successfully work with Governor Newsom to safely reopen City beaches.

"Closing and opening our beaches was among the biggest challenges. I want to thank Supervisor Bartlett for pushing the County to close and open beaches in South Laguna in coordination with what we were doing at the City, and Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris for helping us coordinate with the Governor's office for being the first City in Orange County to have a plan approved to reopen our beaches after closure."

Whalen commended the City's First Responders in Marine Safety, Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works and Water Quality Departments for working on the frontlines during the pandemic, providing critical public services and quick and flexible response to the ever-changing circumstances of COVID-19.

In light of the pandemic, quick revisions were made to the City's FY 19-20 budget to include $12.5M Citywide reductions and $6.5M in reductions to the General Fund, with the City not having to use any of the 20% General Fund reserve. Looking ahead to FY 20-21, the City reduced its budget by $18M and will continue to monitor and adjust as necessary.

"We believe we are heading in to the current fiscal year being able to preserve our General Fund reserve, and that should be very helpful to help us get through what is likely to be a multi-year recovery," Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig told the virtual audience.

As the City moved from a public health response to business recovery, Whalen commended Councilmember Sue Kempf, Assistant City Manager Shohreh Dupuis and Chamber President Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold for their efforts in spearheading the City's Economic Recovery and Business Development Plan.

The plan includes new City programs to support local restaurants and businesses such as The Promenade on Forest, outdoor Parklets Pilot Program, streamlined Temporary Use Permit process and the "Clean, Safe, Ready" pledge program (in partnership with the Chamber and Visit Laguna). These programs have energized both merchants and patrons.

"I want to commend the owners and operators of our restaurants, retail stores, art galleries and businesses for your part in hanging in there to help your employees survive as best you could through these closures and reopen safely and in compliance with the reopening guidelines," Whalen said.

During the address, Whalen outlined the City's accomplishments of the last 18 months, including infrastructure improvements like the completion of the Village Entrance Project, Coast Highway Intersection Improvement Project, Temple Hills Pedestrian Improvement Project, new beach accessways and more.

Looking ahead, projects like the Coast Inn project, proposed renovation and restoration of the Hotel Laguna and the Laguna Movie Theatre, the proposed Downtown Parking Structure, South Main Beach Restroom Renovation and several other Public Works projects such as the Laguna Canyon Flood Control Project and Cultural Arts Programming were highlighted.

"We must remain vigilant on the public health front - wearing masks, social distancing and adhering to reopening guidelines to avoid another step backwards and another surge," Whalen said. "The finish line is not yet in sight, but we are clearly on the right road. Let's all work together to get this job done and done right."