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1. 0:04as she is um uh hopefully recuperating that she can call in. We gave her the Zoom information meeting ID. So Sue, if you're watching or listening in, the opportunity is there and yours, but your your seat as I mentioned to you is here physically and virtually. So if you um
2. 0:28come come here uh we we will be here for you. All right. But in the meantime, we're here for the rest of the candidates. And uh just want to get go over a few things. Some folks who may not know me. >> Sir, could I bring a technical issue?
3. 0:45>> There's a speaker in this bag. >> Oh, everything that you two were saying on the mic. >> Oh, excuse me. Oh, let's turn. >> It's this feature. >> All right. backup backup recording, everyone. And
4. 1:12so, our backup recording is being done um remotely. So, uh, with this program, we're going to do a few things a little differently. Can you hear me, everybody? >> All right. So, a just I'm not here. You're not here for me, but you should know who I am. I have lived in Lagona
5. 1:33with my wife who is here. We've been here nearly 40 years. Live in Arch Beach Heights. Um, I've been through these chambers many times speaking on the other side of this. I do not envy any one of you for going after in in this in this world uh because it's a difficult
6. 1:52one. All these candidates whether you agree with them or not, they are to be um I believe respected and commended for the jobs that they do. It is not an easy one and some of these questions are not going to be easy for them either. But we're here to get a sense because we
7. 2:11have we have nine candidates, everybody, including Sue. We have three incumbents, three seats, six challengers, and that if we do the math, that means we're going to be I don't know. We'll see how we do on this, but it's only three of you folks are going to be
8. 2:33sitting here as elected officials in technically because it's an open seat and I think all of us unless we're totally new to Laguna know that this is an open seat election. The top three vote getters get to be on our council. So before we go into this, I do want to
9. 2:59make a couple more introductions. This is Johanna Felder. And Johanna is has been a resident of Lagona and um if you how many years? >> 40. And then not quite 40 is Mr. Mr. Phoenix Austin. And I just want to make a a mention and a shout out to Phoenix.
10. 3:21Phoenix is a neighbor in in Orange Beach Heights. And Phoenix we have we wanted to make a point here. And if you wanted to say because I do have your background, Phoenix is uh the future of Lagouna Beach. I just want to say that >> Phoenix is How old are you now? 17.
11. 3:43>> Phoenix is 17 with a four-year degree. >> And going in for a doctoral program, What are you doing with the military >> Space force. >> The the space force. So that's I I I can't even get on a plane. >> Does he want to run then for office?
12. 4:13>> Well, maybe. So when I say the future of Laguna Beach, but Phoenix will be taking care of our timekeeping along with Johanna. And so so all of you are a little familiar and I'm going to describe a few things. You're we're we're gonna try to make this move
13. 4:31quicker than I'm doing right now. We do 30 seconds and probably up to 60 seconds. It won't be 90 seconds. It will be that. And get get a little used to the following. We have zero. And Johanna's gonna, you know, here we go. Johanna. Oh, I'll be
14. 4:51okay. So, there. So, it's it's not quite like a uh whatever, but it'll work. We hear it. We hear it. Okay. Now, every each candidate, we've provided uh a notepad to take notes. And if a Ashley, if you want to hold this up, we've got a thumbs up and a thumbs down.
15. 5:15So, we're going to be trying to get a sense of who these candidates are and where the differences are. And so we will uh ask each candidate to keep track of other candidates and what their positions have been and take careful you agree with? Thumbs up. If you
16. 5:38disagree, thumbs down. Remember, you've got uh Yeah. So, let's just see. Thumbs up for everybody so we know. Okay. and and then thumbs down. Okay, so you see. Okay, that's how it works. So, so we'll get a sense and the public will get a sense if where where the differences are
17. 6:03and then we'll get into maybe a few hard ball questions of why why do you take this position and then why uh you know who you who who disagrees with your position. And what we are doing a little different tonight is something we call not just a little bit of a town hall
18. 6:25hybrid debates. We don't do much debating when we have these forums in Lagouna Beach. We're going to now this because I was on the radio here in Lagouna Beach at a program on Sunday mornings with someone I totally disagreed with, but we're great friends.
19. 6:45Uh there is called a clashing heads. Okay. And that was on the air for a couple of years. Then we decided we'd do a podcast and whatever. But it morphed into what we're going to do tonight. We're going to have a little thing called mini debates where candidates
20. 7:04will be taking positions and will be asking challengers uh who they know it's different from them. They they raised green, their opponent raised red. Defend your position. You're 30 seconds. What is that?
21. 7:22>> I don't know. >> It's space for times up and I'm thinking maybe space force. I don't know Phoenix, but who knows? But what where we are uh what candidates will say is they'll make a challenge to their opponent and the challenge will be you have 30 seconds to
22. 7:45make your case and you question the candidates. It shouldn't be coming necessarily from me come from you guys. You're running for office, not me. So ask questions of the candidates. The candidate that you challenge will have 60 seconds and then you'll have followed
23. 8:04by another 30 seconds to respond. Okay. So, let's begin our program and we're going to start out with we're starting out with our our elections here in Lagouna Beach. Okay. So, our elections in Lagouna Beach. Uh I would think everybody everyone here believes in
24. 8:28democracy with a small D. Is that right? >> Okay. I'd like to think that but we don't think that. Well, a lot of us do in the principle of the standing principle of 50% plus one to win an election. How many how many believe in that
25. 8:53principle? 50% plus one typically because this is how typical elections are run in America. We have primary elections and we have general elections. So in principle is 50% plus one a good >> all at the same time. we have primary elections where we call
26. 9:29the field, right? We don't do that in in a Laguna. And I wonder if people will be surprised that among the incumbents including Sue, um, only one incumbent that we have had out of 12 incumbents on city council have had more
27. 9:51than 50% of the vote. Now that may surprise you but minority voter minorities minority vote has been running the council. Now, council members, I have to ask you incumbents or all of us, are we on principle that maybe because I don't want to single out
28. 10:17council members, it's all candidates that if we learn new information and maybe we change our minds. Are we open to that new information? Okay. One, three, two, one, two, three, everybody. The new information that some people may need want to know is we only have one
29. 10:41only one sitting here was Alex with 51 and a half% of the actual vote. And how we arrive at that is the vote that the candidates get. Remember we've got three seats. The top vote getters win a seat. But you can win a seat with less than a Only Alex has gotten more than a
30. 11:06majority when you divide it by the number of voters who were voting. Okay. Now, here's a question for you folks. Uh and this is a question that goes to that. Should should Laguna change if we can to 50% plus one? Is that how we should go? Three. One, two, three.
31. 11:33that how many people are running >> we can there let's go let's let's go through that >> see yes >> oh absolutely candidates let's let's let's introduce you before you answer questions it's a good idea
32. 11:56>> go ahead >> do I get my minute introduce >> you we have a minute Phoenix, one minute. of I'll back up so it's not so loud. Owner of Odo Sushi here in downtown Laguna Beach. Um, being the owner of Odo
33. 12:16puts me in a really unique position. I get to talk to residents and visitors and other business owners on a daily basis. I get to hear what everyone loves about Lagona and also what frustrates them. And I'm running because I believe these concerns deserve leadership that
34. 12:31turns them into results. I've spent nearly two decades leading large teams, managing budgets, and running complex operations across the country. You'll hear a lot tonight about what the city is working on. In my career, the standard was different. It's let's get
35. 12:45it done. And that's what I'm going to bring to city council. A fresh perspective, fiscal discipline, forward thinking, accountability, and the willingness to do the work. I chose Lagona to build my future here. to build ODOT and invest my life savings into it.
36. 12:59And I did that because I wanted to become a part of this community. I now want to help protect what makes it special and plan responsibly for what comes next. Thank you. Perfect timing. >> Thank you, Laura. >> Hello. I'm Laura Paresi. I'm CPA and a
37. 13:16certified California municipal treasurer and I have been your elected treasurer since 1999. a team player. But try as I might, I have watched the office of the city treasurer be more and more degraded, ignored, and minimized. I think that at least some of the
38. 13:34financial problems we face today could have been avoided. Unlike other candidates here, I want to tell you that I don't want to be a council person. I like my job as treasurer. I would prefer to uh be treasurer, but I have been unable to do the job that you elected me
39. 13:53to do and the one that I think that I should do. I hope that my candidacy candidacy puts the need for good financial practices in the forefront of voters minds. If elected, I would restore functioning elected treasurer. Two, approve finances through improved
40. 14:10public reporting and a professional audit committee. three support development projects and follow the rules. Thank you. a a pleasure to serve on city council currently as your mayor. Over the past four years, I've worked to turn good
41. 14:31ideas into real results, strengthening public safety, protecting our environment, supporting our artist, and improving city hall, and planning responsibly for the future. My approach is simple. Listen carefully, build consensus, and get things done. I'm
42. 14:46running for reelection because I believe experience matters and because there is more work ahead to protect Laguna's culture, heritage, natural environment, and unique character. >> Oh, very good. Thank you. went through our schools. My family has
43. 15:07been part of this community for generations. I've also had the opportunity to live and work and travel around the world, learning three different languages, opening up offices, running businesses, managing teams, and seeing firsthand how different
44. 15:20communities operate. Every year I've come back, I've seen and heard how difficult it is for locals to enjoy living in Lagona. This is home, and I care deeply about where I uh where we're headed. And over the last year, I've been attending all the city council
45. 15:34meetings and the town halls and spent a lot of time listening to residents around town. And what I keep hearing is consistent. Residents want to feel heard early in the process. They want better transparency, smarter spending, and a city that plants ahead instead of
46. 15:49reacting. I'm running because I think Laguna needs leadership that listens first, asks tough questions, and focuses on practical results. Making Laguna Beach more businessfriendly for local entrepreneurs. Cleaning up our outdated and overly complicated code while still
47. 16:06protecting the character that makes Laguna Laguna. longtime resident of Laguna Beach, and we stand in a moment of time here with this election that will dramatically change Laguna Beach. I believe what what I would like to do differently is
48. 16:31require city hall to explain major decisions before the vote and not after the taxpayer receives the bill. I would disclose full project costs, encourage competitive bidding, public records available for historical purposes. public safety, financial stability, and
49. 16:56most importantly explain consequences not after the fact of the Forest Avenue prominade disaster. What distinguishes me is independence. I am not running to protect status quo of a political group. I listened to residents and business owners as I got signatures downtown and
50. 17:17and respectfully asked difficult questions and enough experience. I the net benefit is experience, independent leadership, guts, committed to transparency and financial discipline. Thank you. self-made businesswoman, a former
51. 17:40executive, and now a small business owner in the hospitality industry. If elected to council, instead of going along with everybody to produce 50 votes, I will build consensus with residents and businesses and bring their voice to the dis. The net benefit of
52. 17:57having me on council is that I'll use my experience and knowledge of this community to better manage our finances and over tourism and better protect Laguna's natural resources and unique and historic character. I moved to Laguna Beach about 30 years ago. I love
53. 18:14this town. I'd be honored to serve this wonderful community. Joy Bear is your best pick. And although I said I won't build consensus, I will offer almond joys to everybody here tonight to get >> Thank you, Alan, for organizing the debate and thank you to all the
54. 18:42residents here. One of the great parts of campaigning is um the ability to just talk to so many residents and um What what you always find is how special we all think that Laguna is. And over the next few few years, I think we have very complicated challenges that have no easy
55. 18:58solutions. Public safety always has to be our number one priority. I'm really proud of the work that we've done on fire mitigation. When I was mayor during the Rancho fire and I was in the emergency operations center, I really saw government at our best and um I we
56. 19:12have to apply that approach to everything whether it's the hospital which I know we're going to be talking about tonight. Um and also how can we be financially sustainable as we deal with infrastructure and public safety needs. So I appreciate the opportunity to be a
57. 19:26part of this and thank all my candidates all the other candidates up here for um how much they care about Lagona to to be running for office. So, thank you. the the type of planning problems that Lagouna Beach is still debating. I'm Karen Martin. I'm an urban planner,
58. 19:49small business owner, and Lagouna Beach resident since 1986. I know how to reconcile conflicting policies, make the rules clear, and explain what is changing and why. For too long, Laguna Beach has been playing tennis on a court with no lines.
59. 20:07Applicants, neighbors, staff, commissions, and council make must make the call, but one says the ball is in, the other one says the ball is out. The comprehensive zoning code update was intended to draw those lines. The need was identified in 2022. Denovo was hired
60. 20:27in 2024. And in 2025, that's that scope and contract doesn't. The incumbents say they're working on it, but we've only seen pieces. Not one clear public account of progress or deliverables or cost. I will put residents needs first,
61. 20:48fix the fundamentals before vanity projects, and protect the Luna Beach we moved here for. >> Thank you. brought being brought up before that the candidates all agree of course and I think every one of us agree about with a
62. 21:09little d uh democracy. We have a comparable city in in Orange County Seal Beach about the same population that we have as Lagonas. Lagona Seal Beach does require 50% plus one. They figured it out. What does Seal Beach have? They
63. 21:31have districts. Okay. They have term limits. Okay. They have uh they do not have an elected mayor, but in order to win a seat on Seal Beach's city council, they will have a runoff if you don't get 50% of the vote. And so my question to all of you,
64. 21:58is Seal Beach more democratic than we are? Should we follow them as a model and consider going that route rather than what we have now? Uh I did want to bring up that when Sue was first elected, she had about onethird of the vote, notif not even 49% when she first
65. 22:21ran. She came within 200 votes of Anne Kristoff. Okay. And we have we have that was it. So 200 votes made a difference in philosophy of where this town went and it wasn't even 50% what we're used to in American elections. 50% plus one in a general. So we don't have a primary
66. 22:45but we do have space in our primary because we go to election. Another point that I want to bring up this is a midterm election. We know from watching the news, CNN, what is what have you, fewer voters go out to vote at midterm elections than
67. 23:07general elections, presidential? Correct. We know that instinctively. Okay. A priori. It's there. Fewer people will will vote in a midterm. Yet fewer people in Lagona will historically vote than in a presidential election. Yet fewer people are voting for how many
68. 23:26seats? three seats, a majority. So, not only do we have now 50%, but we have the few fewest number of voters voting in an election voting for the majority. So, by a show of paddles, how many people think that is a good thing? the question. We elect for less than
69. 23:5850%. We'll rephrase it. Should we model after Seal Beach? Is that a better question? Yes or no? >> The voters should decide. Voters should >> So, mark mark this. Everyone keep your keep your paddles up. If you think voters should decide, it should be a a
70. 24:21red or a what? Agree. >> Vote. Well, we know voters decide, but should it be 50%? Should it be should we put it on the >> Okay. If >> so, if it's supposed to be on the ballot, is that a yes or a no?
71. 24:38>> Well, here's the question. Put up put put should we model after Seal Beach and put it on the ballot? >> But would that be district because you could only get to that 50% with district election? district. We could we could or we could change if we wanted to,
72. 24:54>> but let's let's do this. >> Where was the distinction? >> Well, you'd have to have you're talking about a runoff between two candidates, which works in district elections, but I don't know that that would work in top >> What uh should we have district
73. 25:13>> I would No, I would my I would say no to >> No. vote to district. >> So we would rather have at large the way we have it >> until until it becomes an issue where there's a specific group of voters that feel disenfranchised.
74. 25:30>> So they feel like that is now I think that could be a ballot measure that they want to put forward. >> Okay. Where do we agree or disagree on this one? Because I'm going to ask for a debate between who who wants to change the way we do do
75. 25:51here to hear from the candidates. >> There's some questions that are prepared for them. Can we please get to the questions that they were asked? questions from the candidates. If anyone from here from from the public >> has a question.
76. 26:20>> What I'm hearing, Alan, is that they want to move on with the questions to candidates that are are related to this >> That's right. >> My my question was about about of how we are running this election. Let's ask what we did have at Village Lagoona,
77. 26:36which was on measure E and term limits. Seal Beach and over, I believe, 30 cities in Orange County have term limits. We do not. Term limits are on the ballot. And why uh can we go through each candidate why you feel that the term limits initiative measure E is on
78. 26:59the ballot? >> You have you have 30 seconds. >> I'm for term limits. I think I believe in institutional knowledge is important, but I do believe being able to do the work and the time that you're given being a council member and then bringing
79. 27:15on fresh perspective. So, I'm for term idea of a fresh perspective and uh a time frame on accomplishing goals and >> I support term limits nationally and for the state. I don't really see it necessary for the community, but it's on the ballot and the uh voters can choose.
80. 27:44important for people to who want to be public servants to come serve and then move on with their careers. And it's always important to have more perspectives from different people in the community. I believe in term limitments because we
81. 27:57need change badly now >> and with downtown specific plan the canyon issues, the hospital issues, the sewage dumps unacceptable and we need change now. And so we need to vote for one of these or all of these six new not the incumbents.
82. 28:25running against incumbents, they have a built-in advantage. It's very expensive to run a campaign. They have the advantages of the endorsements, etc. And just because somebody is no longer in public service, it doesn't mean they can't contribute to their community. It
83. 28:41comes from their heart instead. idea of having fresh perspectives in government. I think that's what's good about elections is we get the choice to vote for who we want to vote for. I I liked that I got the cho choice to vote in 2018. For Tony, for example, I think
84. 29:00she was able to do a lot and and take advantage of of her relationships on county level issues and Saka and issues like that. Um so I like having the choice to pick um for residents to pick. >> So you're measure. >> Both to measure and Karen.
85. 29:19>> Hi. Um I am term limits. Um, I do believe that the relationships that the incumbents make are important, but more important are the the agreements in writing um that come from those >> Okay. Uh, thank you. Now, we're going to get to what was uh promised to the
86. 29:42community of what we would have many debates. Alex, you're the only one here who really is firmly opposed to measure E. Sounds like Mark is too. You're opposed. Okay. I'm going to ask you, Alex, to challenge one of your of these candidates who is four term limits.
87. 30:05Defend your position for 30 seconds. Who are you going to challenge in a mini debate on this issue? It will go 30 seconds for you, 60 seconds for those who are four term limits, and then another 30 to you back on your position. But let's have it where you're having a
88. 30:25debate with one of your opponents. you pick your opponent? You know, >> okay, 30 seconds. Um, >> as I was saying, you know, I totally appreciate the perspectives and then voters will get to decide about term
89. 30:51limits. Um, what do you think about having, you know, people like Tony who are able to make make a big difference. How do you how do you think about that of term limits? mayor and city council person for a long time, politics has changed where money
90. 31:11has now been a big influence and politics back in the days that it wasn't so critical and incumbents get the endorsements from the our union, the police union. I understand it. Um, but it really makes it uh difficult and with the money that's entering politics, it's
91. 31:32not quite the same as good. The voters get to decide on what to do with term limits. So, thank you. >> Very good. Thank you. All right. Now, someone from from our group here in the public, do you have a question for one of these candidates on that issue on
92. 32:00measure E? Then we'll move on to the >> hang on >> did a good job, right? >> Thank you. so Mark, I want to ask you, why would term limits be beneficial at the federal level, at the state level, at the county
93. 32:37level? Why would they be not good for Laguna Beach? What is the exception? Why >> the amount of money that is raised in the the super PACs that are involved on the state and federal level and that's that's my primary reason we just um was mentioned of uh dollars spent here on
94. 32:58this uh campaign and I can tell you that on not raising all that much money and I think that um historically we come all come pretty close to the dollars that we raised. So that's That's why and also we have some histori history such as Tony Eisman and some you know I've looked at
95. 33:19things when I voted here in the past and I do appreciate if there's something or something that the city's involved with like when Tony was um on council and there were some coastal commission issues going on. I appreciated some of the experience and the relationships
96. 33:34that she ma made to get us to where we needed to go. So, just to drill down on that, uh, other than Tony Eisman, >> is there another candidate that you think other than Bob Wayan, who else has gone over four terms? And well,
97. 34:04>> I mean, the last election, um, Alex was >> Let me drill down on on the one thing you said about money because I think you you flipped it. Maybe I heard it wrong. >> The fact is that incumbents have a advantage in getting higher visibility, raising more money, getting
98. 34:27more endorsements. One example that was raised is that incumbents typically are endorsed by the two uh service units that we have, police and fire. And I think that that's a bad idea to begin with. those advantages that come from uh an
99. 34:56>> uh make the field uneven. >> And term limits is a way to >> to flatten that field. And by the way, if you had if you serve two according to measure, if you serve two terms, you take one off, you can come back and serve two more. So,
100. 35:14>> so Mark, >> yeah, thank you Mark. You got 30 at our last um election, there was the police union uh endorsed non-incumbents. Okay. Uh I think that this last this last series that we've gone through,
101. 35:36this last council probably, you know, deserves, you know, I ran on civility. I think it's a whole different day here and I think this council is been improved as far as I'm concerned. Um I hear, you know, a lot about, you know, all of these uh votes going the same
102. 35:52way. I look at it a little bit differently. I think that we spend a lot of time debating these things and developing consensus. And you know, at the end of the day, I'm fine if it's up to the voters. I'm talking to you about me personally. I like my choice and I
103. 36:07don't like others to interfere with it. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mark. >> I have a question regarding We'll get one more question. I think the candidates need to I would like them to disclose if anyone here uh has endorsed another candidate. Technically,
104. 36:29all of you are running against one another for three seats. So, have you endorsed anyone else or supported anyone else here for full disclosure? Uh, we'll start. Uh, anyone raised their hand by sign of Okay. Uh, can you tell us Karen who you're supporting?
105. 36:50>> Um, I'm actually supporting all of the I'm actually supporting all of the non-incumbents and I think we've been working together just as the incumbents have also been working together. Karen has made that all the incumbents are working together. Do you support one
106. 37:19another? All incumbents. Have you been to uh any any fundraisers for another candidate who is running for this office? Have you um worn a cap for any other candidate who's running for this office? Have you signed a petition for any candidate who is running for office?
107. 37:37That goes to the incumbent Sue is not here, but if you have supported or endorsed Sue or if she supported and endorsed you and with Mark and Alice. Yeah, I um I'm I'm supporting um Mayor Oriel and Council Member Kemp because I've had the opportunity to work with
108. 37:57them and I I believe there are a lot of complicated issues that the city is facing right now and I feel that we've made progress and I want to continue working with them. Um and uh so that's that's what I'm doing. And the good thing about elections is whoever wins I
109. 38:13want to work with. If I were fortunate to win, whoever wins, I look forward to working with them because it's ultimately all about Laguna Beach and how we can protect the city that we all love. So, thank you. Thank you. official endorsements yet, but I also
110. 38:30would endorse Alex and Sue and for the same reasons we've come a long way. There's a lot of very very important issues that we're facing right now and I think that we have a tremendous opportunity to keep the momentum going. So candidates
111. 38:50>> my microphone how's that here? Um is this fair to the process if you're endorsing even before all the forums have been exhausted before you hear what your your opponents have to say. So anyone want to you feel this is a fair that you've done this before you know
112. 39:10what everyone has to say on the issues. They may be your colleagues. >> No. All right. Candidates and the public should know that if three incumbents are supporting three then you're at a mathematical uh disadvantage. You've got six
113. 39:35incumbents. the voters, even if every voter voted against incumbents, this vote will be split. That's a >> If every voter voted against incumbent, >> no if if voters voters have three votes and if voters say you've got your base that says we're voting for Alex and Mark
114. 39:58and Sue and then their base is six votes. Okay. Yeah, their votes are going to be split. Are any of you thinking of maybe dropping up so that >> respectfully we got to get to the >> Which ones? Which ones do you want?
115. 40:32Questions from the public? >> Yes. Okay. Oh, we've got it. Okay. Answer. Go ahead. >> All right. So, um I'm the hospital's very near and dear to me because both my children and my sister were all born there and I used to live I have property
116. 40:48right next door to the hospital. But the question that has come in from the public is how do you intend to save the Lagouna Beach Acute Care Hospital emergency room and inpatient services? And if you could give us one concrete action in that state of preserving the
117. 41:07emergency without impatient acute care would qualify as saving the hospital. >> That's the question. We can start with >> each one. >> Each one. Yes. Yes. >> They have 30 seconds >> and a paddle. Yeah. Um so if I I mean we
118. 41:27all care about the hospital. We all need to save the hospital. we all need to work together to save the hospital. Um, if elected and being able to be in the position to work with state legislation and OC Health, then it's bringing everyone to the table. The problem right
119. 41:40now is that the city council wasted seven months. They wasted seven months to take this seriously and act and work in parallel. So, we can't change Providence's decision, but we can decide irregardless of a building that Laguna Beach needs emergency medical access
120. 41:56with an ambulance. So, no acute care, no standalone. That needs to change California state law, but we need emergency medical access. So, I work with seismic state legislation, county, OCMS, etc., etc., everyone to the table to figure out what we're going to do.
121. 42:13>> And does that include your opinion on whether there should be some uh in-house care like beds and so forth? Yes. E. All right. And uh Laura, >> thank you. I think I think that we definitely need um emergency care in house beds and all of that, but I don't
122. 42:34know that it's our decision. So, if I were elected, I would talk to stakeholders and try to work out the best deal that would be possible. >> Well, thank you, Mark. Yes, I'm adamant that we need the hospital, including the emergency room and all of the the best
123. 42:51care that comes with the first class state-of-the-art emergency room, and I would take go to any means possible to get it, including uh evaluating a different location if need be. >> Well, you've actually gone to the next question I had, but maybe we can get
124. 43:04Nick's opinion on that first. >> Yeah, I agree with the other uh people here on the stage that we obviously need to keep the emergency room. We need to make sure that uh ambulance can go there. And I don't think it's where we're going to have one savior on
125. 43:19council that's going to fix this. We're all looking for the same result. And you know, I disagree with Ashley actually. She said seven months. I think it's been like 3 years or even more that we've known that Providence has been reducing its services. And that again, this is
126. 43:32where we're waiting too long until there's a study session where they're explaining to us that they want to close down the hospital. So there's no one savior. It's going to be a council together working together with our uh the um task force which has great people
127. 43:48on it to solve the problem for the >> Okay. Thank you. >> Public safety and public health equals imminent domain and how that works. The hospital gave us two meetings. They told us what it was going to cost to retrofit the hospital. You subtract those dollars
128. 44:06from fair market value and you implement imminent domain. take the hospital over, the city does, and get a financial partner to partner with you. You'll end up buying the hospital property for $50 million because they already told us it's going to cost 300 million to fix
129. 44:23it. And we all know they're not telling us the truth. Thank you. >> Well, John Thomas asked the question to uh Providence. If the state pushed out the seismic requirements for another 10 years, would you keep operating a hospital with acute care and the beds
130. 44:46and and we got a an immediate no. So it tells me it's not about the seismic requirements. A gentleman from Dana Point suggested that they can do an acute care hospital with beds small enough on Catalina Island, South Tahoe, and in Aspen. So, if I were elected, I
131. 45:05would understand the economics of those, how to make it work, and I'd go to bat at the negotiating table and tell Providence Hospital, if they can all do it, you can, too. >> thank you. So, this this is the most important issue that I've dealt with on
132. 45:24the council and one that I've spent more time on than anything else. I totally agree with all the candidates. We have to understand all the leverage that we have. That's why for the past year, we've been meeting with county EMS, meeting with the attorney general's
133. 45:35office, meeting with different hospitals, and thankfully, I'm really and and given the fact that 60% of our EMS uh uh rides go to the local hospital. This will have devastating implications for the entire community, but also the region. So, I I want to
134. 45:52keep working on on this issue. Our land use rights are important. And can I add one more thing? Um, I think that at the end of the and to Joyy's point, I'm really excited about the fact that Providence after a year of us basically talk nine months of asking about this
135. 46:06mini hospital concept, they finally agreed to study it. It's not something that we should just say celebrate because they're just studying it. But in October, we'll get that back and to see what the implications are because if we go to any hospital with an ER, that
136. 46:19could be an ideal solution. But we're going to keep looking at all options to protect the community. Thank you, >> Hi, thank you for the question and Alex, thank you for your work on this. Um, I see this as a regional issue. Um, it's not just a Lagouna Beach issue and I
137. 46:35think what we need to do is we need to bring in all the stakeholders that are being serviced by that hospital and that includes our visitors and it includes the city of Dana Point. Um, anyone that comes to Laguna Beach, whether they're from Laguna Niguel or Riverside, if
138. 46:52something happens, they need immediate >> So, it's a regional issue and I think it needs to be a public relations outreach to add pressure to province. Well, these have been fantastic thoughts at the front end and some of you have already responded a little bit to the next
139. 47:10question that's coming because this is if acceptable agreement cannot be reached uh with Providence uh should Laguna Beach pursue another health care operator, another location or both while negotiating uh while negotiations I think some of you have already
140. 47:30responded a little bit to that, but do you have a point on that, Ashley? >> Yes, we have to. I mean, it's not about a building. It's about emergency medical access, right? >> And we need that as a city. So, no matter what, we need to be doing that.
141. 47:42And I would want to ask that if we need to stop waiting for Providence to make be making the decisions here. We can do things in parallel and that's what I would expect the city council to be doing and then have measurable outcomes, not just more meetings about it. So the
142. 47:57people need to be able to see what is being done, what outcome was coming from anything that's transpired in this supposed last year that this has been being worked on. >> And maybe I'll go to Lori. What What would you do uh next if it were up to
143. 48:23service. Um pursue the service. talk to the stakeholders. Um, >> what about talking to other operators while you're in negotiations with >> Of course. Of course. I would explore all avenues, right?
144. 48:40>> Um, to continue the service, maybe not at that location, maybe not with that same provider, but try and cover all avenues to find a way to provide the service to public. Mark, do you have a thought on that? >> As Alex mentioned, I would continue to
145. 49:00work with the attorney general's office and uh we are talking to other operators and I do believe that we are exploring other options. I'm not part of the subcommittee. That's Alex and Council Member Whan at the time. Uh but I would, you know, explore every option possible
146. 49:15as I said, even if it means another >> Right. Okay. I knew you got into that question early. Okay. Nick, do you have a thought on that? >> Yeah, I mean, everybody up here has made great points, whether it's uh looking at other operators. You know, Hog is moving
147. 49:31into the area. You have the imminent domain part that Ed mentioned and also making it a PR campaign like Karen mentioned, all these come together. Even with Alex and the mayor said, I don't, like I said, I don't think one person is going to be the the savior here. It's
148. 49:45going to be a council as a whole and the community working together and making sure that we're all on the same page >> and we're all making sure we get to the answer that we're looking for which is an emergency room. Well, the question also becomes should we Laguna Beach
149. 49:56create a parallel path now rather than wait for the negotiations to fail >> and it also puts uh province on on on alert that this is what's happening and I think Edward you had a very interesting point about the imminent domain concept
150. 50:15>> well as I said earlier public safety public health equals imminent domain and I'll give you a true life experience story of a company I own today that I don't control, but during Hurricane Katrina, there were 33,000 people rescued, 9,000 medical personnel
151. 50:35rescued. Admiral Huitt came to our company and said, "We need to take over your company to to handle our communications." There was no cell service, no satellite service, no landline service. And they used our services. That's the analogy. Public
152. 50:52safety, public health equals imminent domain. And guess what? We can take over the hospital. Pick ho from UCI if they're not interested in running the hospital. Thank you. in a domain. Um now we've heard uh give their line in the sand. Let's go
153. 51:18quickly. uh 15 seconds or less for each one. What is your line in the sand when it comes to the hospital? Is it eminent domain? Is it something else? >> It's whatever it takes. We're we're going to have a hospital. Plain and simple. We're having a hospital and we
154. 51:37don't have time to wait and we all need to be working with everyone involved in parallel to make sure we have a hospital. That's the line. >> Eminent domain. Laura, something else. Hospital district. We could be talking about we um is this satisfactory what we
155. 51:52have uh with with a mini hospital mini acute care is that satisfactory so >> I I would have to study the issue more >> so Mark do you have a line >> no we just need a hospital with an emergency room full stop >> but I will remind you that in Sani the I
156. 52:17believe that they had a knee-jerk reaction and didn't think things through and they tried to build through zoning. Currently, Sani is sitting there without a hospital. The hospital just simply moved out. So, uh you know, you have to be very careful when you talk about
157. 52:32emitt domain and some of these things. If you don't have the full plan thought through, uh you you could end up in trouble. I mean, if you end up if you emite domain and you don't have another operator, what good is it going to do? What does it take in terms of proceeding
158. 52:49on the image domain act? >> Let's do Nick. Hold on. >> I'm sorry. >> Um, yeah. I mean, we need to have an emergency room with an ER. I would say as Ed mentioned, imminent donating is we need to use that method if we can use
159. 53:06that method. And as Mayor Oil said, you know, you don't want to have to do that without a plan in place. I believe Ed's making this point with a plan in place, not just tomorrow pick up the bone and you know we're taking over the hospital. So everything that's why you have to do
160. 53:20both things in tandem and we have to make sure that we have the council working together. >> We you've already mentioned it >> but I have an answer >> the three to last question. Well, well, just to follow up on what
161. 53:40and on their line in the same >> is it >> I want to get wiser. Um I think that it's possible to run an acute care small hospital in this town and we need to understand the economics and we need to go to Providence and say here's here's
162. 53:59the economics. Are you going to do it? Yes or no? We understand the implications of the competition. I don't want to have another gel where they own both both grocery stores because they want to eliminate competition, they shut one down. So I want my line line in the
163. 54:19sand is once I'm wise on the economics, I give it I give it to them and it's it's you or someone else parallel path. Great way to go. >> I think that really human life is at stake and there's nothing more important than that when it as it relates to the
164. 54:40questions of eminent domain we have to be really careful because there's something called pre-condemnation where if you if we don't create a record if we talk for example if I said right now let's do eminent domain that would be used against us in the court of law. So
165. 54:52I think we have to look at everything. What I will say is we've been meeting with operators we probably had at least eight different meetings with very reputable operators. there's reasons why we can't be coming and doing all those meetings in the public because our goal
166. 55:04here is to figure out a solution and to ensure that we have health care um for our community because the states couldn't be higher. So I I don't want to make it I don't want to politicize it for the in a way that would undermine the goals of actually achieving a
167. 55:24want continuous care and no loss of an emergency ground at any time as we go through this process. Um I think we have very responsible health care officials. Um Providence is a nonprofit. Hog is a nonprofit. UCI is a nonprofit and they take an oath when they're doctors to
168. 55:45care. And I I'm calling on the best of humanity to work together to make sure that we have no >> the next question related to everything we've been talking about there. Um, is there is there another location that would be suitable or have
169. 56:15No. Our next question goes >> hold on. The hospital is a dead issue. >> It's a dead issue. >> We don't want to go there. Look, I think the candidates have given their opinions about the hospital and we can move on and this is this is a work in progress.
170. 56:36Um it was brought up about Gail and we have empty space for almost uh two years uh three years I think. Uh there are rumors that this is going to become a gym. Uh and so is a gym are uh No, this is a private landlord, right? Okay. But have any of you looked into using the
171. 57:02power of your office to convince Gellison's that they should lease to another supermarket? Um or is it anti-competitive that they and look into that because we do have anti-competitive laws. All right. Anyone want to take that?
172. 57:25>> I'll take it since he said using the power of your office. Are you talking >> Okay. The answer to that >> 30 seconds. >> The answer to that is yes. We h I have personally uh made an attempt to contact the the operator and the owner of the
173. 57:45Where is it going with that? >> They are pretty adamant about their position right now as far as not leasing it to another grocery store while they have it under a lease. >> Is is is well I want want to hear from folks if that's anti competitive. Uh we
174. 58:03have antitrust. Is that antitrust? >> I think it it is anti-competitive. The pro and we we I looked into this in a very informal way. I'm not I wouldn't tell the legal strategy, but there's not good president on specific issues like this for for supermarkets,
175. 58:20unfortunately. Even though I agree it is anti-competitive. That's how it feels to me. I don't know that there's a legal >> Would you use the power of your office and say >> everyone we we could ask a 15sec question if anyone
176. 58:35>> No, you don't know. >> All right. What happened to the questions that we submitted for the >> We have more. >> The questions that we had in the hospital were all questions that came to Allen from the public. So, anything that
177. 58:50you wanted to ask or you would like to ask relative to the hospital. So, we finished that. >> No more hospital. >> We are on to the next topic. >> All right. Let's move on. Next topic is >> no Forest Avenue the prominent
178. 59:07asking questions from the audience. >> Oh from here >> we had questions that came to us. >> Okay. This question is what is your vision for the St. Catherine's property and is there better utilization for the residents andor development?
179. 59:25>> That was a question that came from this >> um I had an opportunity to tour St. Catherine's. It's a it's a beautiful location. Um I think the type of use is going to be dependent on um the amount of traffic and access. Um that that property has limited access.
180. 59:55It has limited parking. Um, in a perfect world, I think it would be a mixeduse project. Um, in a polyana, I'd love to see some senior housing with some >> Yeah, Joy. So, it's a 6 and a half acre site and it's relatively flat and um uh if it
181. 1:00:24can't be used as a school, it was built as a school, then what I think would be a great use for it because it is underutilized is put for sale small cottages that are affordable. And then in the back, we could put the uh workforce housing. And I use workforce
182. 1:00:39housing because if it's d-restricted and not and we eliminate the state funding then uh we can restrict it that it is for workers only in Lagona Beach and so I think with the dynamics of the site it would be perfect for that mixeduse concept the for sale product helps
183. 1:00:58underwrite the workforce housing and so in the in the hotel industry we used to do it all the time when like the montage if you can't make a hotel work on its You do the for sale, it underwrites the >> Can I comment? >> So Joyy's answer was a great answer and
184. 1:01:21with that I would add not taking city money but go to the state of California to the California Housing Finance Agency for the money. So that way there's no money out of the city of Laguna Beach taxpayers property taxes or anything. It's from the state of California who
185. 1:01:39funds that project at the Catholic >> Go ahead. >> I I think that the from a financial perspective, I would love to have a community center there. We don't have the money to to do that and there's parking challenges. So, I agree with um
186. 1:02:04the concepts my colleagues are talking about some sort of a mixed concept where you could cross subsidize with the for sale product to make the recreation center happen. And um I think that that could be a win-win solution. when it was purchased, it needs to be a
187. 1:02:23community center and it's unfortunate we're in a financial situation where we can't invest in it as a community center. And so like Alex and the other and my other colleagues up here that there are a lot of options on the table and I think senior housing or workforce
188. 1:02:37housing is great. The one thing that I would say is definitely off the table for me would be any sort of hotel or selling it off just to fill a hole in the budget. Um there's been talk of the current council has been looking at potentially buying rubies and then I've
189. 1:02:51heard from city officials that they want to maybe potentially turn into a hotel. Definitely not something that I would >> How about an acute care hospital though? >> I think using it as leverage in negotiations like Alex made a great point. You know, you don't want to talk
190. 1:03:07about something. >> Laura, thanks Laura. >> Thank you. >> I agree with the other folks on the the DAS. I am really disappointed that it's not being used for a recre community center or some type of recreational
191. 1:03:21facility, but we just don't have the budget for it. So, it sounds like there are some other good financially sound uses that would uh benefit the public. Thank you, >> Ashley. Did you Mark Mark, you did Mark? >> I was waiting to
192. 1:03:41>> We do notice. So, there's a lot to consider. You know, we have another uh partial rec center next to it at Lincoln Park. I think that that needs to be part of the evaluation as we evaluate the CRC. I do think a mixed use um needs to be studied. I would keep it on the the
193. 1:03:59table for a potential um healthc care facility if need be. I would be open to all options and all analysis. >> Okay. Thank you, Laura. You did you did and and Ashley really >> um I mean I think first and foremost the um the process of how we make decisions
194. 1:04:18is what needs to change with this. So we can't every what's currently why there's fiscal issue is that we make all these purchases with no plan. So whether we of it for the long run. So, yes, the state might be able to help out to turn it into housing. Then, who's paying for
195. 1:04:42it after the fact? I wouldn't want to do housing for just four units. I don't think that's a wise use of a dollar. Um, community center, who's going to pay for it? Traffic, who's a bigger question. >> A qu question actually to Mark, uh, I saw you several months ago and asked you
196. 1:04:59about the prominade, you may remember, and you said, "Wait till it's built. Everyone will love it." You still feel the same? think over time people will will come to like it and enjoy it. That's not uncommon, right? I mean, look at Main
197. 1:05:20Beach. Look at the Eiffel Tower. I mean, you know, those were very controversial things. If you want to look out, I I do think people will will come to to like it. And keep in mind that we're talking about visual um aspects of it right now, right? When we originally envisioned
198. 1:05:37that when it was talked about vision 2030, it was for a social space for a gathering space. That's probably in my view the most important part of let's have a paddle raise of everyone who agrees and disagrees with. >> May I have a rebuttal? We can have
199. 1:06:04>> we can. Yes, >> it's called playing with an audience. >> Well, look, if if Mark, you want to check, you saw who opposes you. Choose an opponent who will give a twominut debate to on this. >> Okay, everyone wants to go ahead.
200. 1:06:24>> Thank you, Mark. >> Okay, third 30 seconds and then 60 and 30. I'll get back to you. Oh, well wait. No, it goes to >> Mark. Mark, you have you you can you stated your point. That's 30. You have 60 seconds.
201. 1:06:41>> My answer to Mark is they did their best. I don't like what happened. And so I want all of you to take a road trip and drive down to Seal Beach this weekend and walk down both sides of the street and look at the street, look at the stores, and look at the trees. Every
202. 1:07:01single tree has a triplesized well. It is flushed with dirt that is triple in actually maybe quadruple and the dirt is flush with the sidewalk and there's no tripping hazards. So the trees are huge and they grow. It is probably the most spectacular walk
203. 1:07:21you'll ever make. And you walk down one side and walk down the other and I Seal Beach is the answer. And it just so happens, it's not a coincidence, they have term limits. I was kind of laughing, but you all need to drop down there and walk down both sides of the
204. 1:07:51trees? Well, it >> You respond however you like. Okay, we're back on the topic of whether or not people are going to enjoy it in the future. Um, I I already stated my case. I do think that there'll be people that will enjoy it. I think that there are
205. 1:08:07already a group of people that are enjoying, you know, really depends on if you're, you know, one that would go out and enjoy the open space and spend time with your family. I mean, there's different people in town, different demographics, right? Some of us spend
206. 1:08:22more time at home, some of us are out more and socializing. And it is built for the part of the communities. >> Thank you, Mark. The completed >> 30 seconds. >> I got it, but I go a little bit over a little bit of gratitude, a little bit of
207. 1:08:38leeway there. >> Well, we may give you another uh another 30 on another question. at the LA at the Village Lagona Forums. Uh Sue, who is not here to uh defend herself on this, but both both you and Alex uh I think were in accord
208. 1:08:59on Forest Avenue and the Prominade. She said that the Prominade project was $500,000 under budget. Um, now >> looks like >> she's not here to defend those numbers, but are you? >> yeah. I mean, I was the last number that
209. 1:09:19I heard. I don't have a spreadsheet in front of me, but yeah, I'll I'll back that up that we're still $500,000 under budget. >> Under what? >> Hold on. Hold on. Um, >> we we can have a we'll have
210. 1:09:37>> I would kind of get a feeling you don't like the prominad. >> Well, I you know, it's not my decision, but I have my personal opinions. We're hosting this program. We want to be fair by all candidates. Have you defend your position? I'm not running for office.
211. 1:09:52>> How do you feel about saving 75 artist spaces out? >> Hold on, Mark. Mark, we do ask the >> Well, we're all over the board here. Hold on. Hold on. We have to manage this. Let me just go back on the $500,000 issue. Where is the evidence
212. 1:10:10for that? Is that including the cost of the two designers on this, the consultants? Um, let's let's get that answer. I'm not not I'm not I'm not a candidate, Mark, but there are other candidates here who don't agree with your position. Uh Ed already had one
213. 1:10:32challenge. We can go next to Nick. Are you you want to take on >> I thought you asked about the budget. >> This is a budget question that Nick will take on with you. Nick, you have you have u we'll give you 60 seconds to >> Sure. the when it comes to the budget
214. 1:10:49part, you know, you make a good point about the designers and what the overall cost is and I think the city will come out with its documents hopefully in the next month or so. Um, I think the more important question is, for example, when you asked about the prominade and is it
215. 1:11:02what the mayor was hoping for, you know, I'm I'm a supporter of a prominade. I think it's a great idea. I lived in Spain. Outdoor space is part of part of the daily life there and I have enjoyed the prominade myself. I think what residents are frustrated about is that
216. 1:11:17how was sold to us, the images that were given to us, what we thought it was going to be for, and it's turned into more of a food court. Now, it is up, >> No, hold on. It is it is uh up to the city council later this month, and we'll find out how many tables that each
217. 1:11:33restaurant will be getting. You know, when you look at the renderings, obviously, the trees were, you know, a mistake that, you know, everybody was upset about, but we want to make sure that it is for the community. It's a community space. That's what we're sold.
218. 1:11:45And right now maybe residents feel that that's not what we're getting. So I think it's on to the future of what we're actually going to be using it for and that's when residents will decide >> Okay. Uh point point of order. Joy, you may u you may follow, but we'll only
219. 1:11:59have 30 seconds for you. But I do want to make a point of questions that have not been either asked or answered. And for the public in this room and those watching, we have asked all candidates to submit their answers in writing. We are going to be submitting these
220. 1:12:18questions to all candidates. Um and you'll have uh so you'll know after this forum seven days to prepare answers that we will publish on our website beginning at the end of this week. The will be when the website launches. I'll give more information at the conclusion but
221. 1:12:39to uh to the points that we're talking about with the prominade. Um and let's talk to Laura on a question. This has to do with audits and where we go. Uh because it doesn't seem like there's been much of an audit on much of anything. But Laura, you can speak to
222. 1:12:57that and then we'll see if who agrees and disagrees with you. >> An audit. There's an annual audit of the city that >> What are you looking for yourself that you're finding? Uh why why you're running in terms of your concern with
223. 1:13:14the city? >> Well, I I would like to see improved financial reporting from the city. Uh more reliable financial numbers. I'd like to see a professional audit committee. Um >> yeah, I was looking for a professional
224. 1:13:31audit committee. something that follows go and finance officer uh guidelines, industry guidelines and is similar to other cities our size. >> Okay. Who who uh would be in favor here among candidates for an independent audit uh that
225. 1:13:48>> can I add to that? >> Yeah, you let's see if I raise a hand who's for that mark. I didn't see a >> Are you for that or against it? Oh, all right. So, you're all on record for what Laura is talking about. >> Yeah, I do want to add to that. We There
226. 1:14:11was There was a larger audit committee. It's now been reduced. It's just two city council members who are currently on the audit committee, Alex and Sue. Our own city council should not be the only ones auditing their finances. I know that there's an annual audit, but
227. 1:14:27that is a uh bring the residents and independent people with CPA and audit backgrounds. Yes. Um to the table. It's just it's just best business practice. I mean I would never run my business. >> Yeah. And I respond. >> Okay. Yeah. So I I you know at the
228. 1:14:47beginning of this debate we talked about did we ever change our our perspectives on issues. I actually agree with we we had a report that came back that said it should be an ad hoc committee. And I think that the definition of the Brown Act gets complicated because it's really
229. 1:15:02not an ad hoc committee, it's a standing committee. So I would I would actually support what Laura what you're asking for. I think the treasurer role should be more focused on the government code responsibilities and being on the audit committee. I think that really is is an
230. 1:15:13ideal solution and then having to I think the other interesting thing that I'm supportive of is as part of the our efficiency initiative we're um we're you know George George and I started this with the finance department with performance audits but we want to have a
231. 1:15:27rolling cycle with the work done every year for performance audits. So potentially we could have this be a finance commission like Newport Beach five members city treasur looking at the audit financial statements but also performance audits of each department. I
232. 1:15:40I agree with that. >> Thank you, Alex. We had we did have a question in the financial area. This was directed to Laura from a question that came from the public. Using your financial and treasury experience, name the city's first
233. 1:15:55unfunded priority and identify how you would pay for it without an unsupported revenue assumption. Can you answer that one? That came from the public, so I'm giving every question we can. >> All right. Um
234. 1:16:11well one that's a a very high visibility if you were to look at the last uh audited financial statements you would find that our reserves are not funded fully. It's right there in the footnotes to the financial statements. I would like to see that funding uh be complete
235. 1:16:29up to the 20% level. And this would you give me the second part of the question? identify how you would pay for it without an unsupported revenue >> So, I don't know. I'm not a treasurer. costs in some areas.
236. 1:16:56discretionary spending and then um anything that is a part of the $400 million of um uh the facilities management plan that we need to do that is a nice to have versus an actual need. So that's what you could do to be able discretionary spending contracts,
237. 1:17:16consultants, third party vendors, things like that that aren't necessary. I I have a resident question that's coming fire station one which is uh seeking to probably u I want to get a sense of this because it looks like they're eyeing our farmers market. Okay. And so which
238. 1:17:40alternative deserves the first complete feasibility and cost study? Lot 10 beside Artifair requiring a firet truck lot 15 at the former transit depot with Ocean and Broadway access or retaining fire station one beside city hall moving police and expanding behind the facade
239. 1:18:05and and show I would say that's one two or three uh all of you show us one two or three fingers I suppose which one of those you think for the fire station because if we're going to lose Should we lose the farmers market where it's at its present location?
240. 1:18:26>> I I I can't I think it has to be based on the standards of coverage so that we make sure that we have fire safe. I don't that's a hard question to answer. Lot 15 was an interesting one. We looked at that, but it that's not big enough, but I I can't answer the other ones
241. 1:18:38without that data. >> Does anyone want to uh put a comment about the farmers market and should it be moved or should the fire fire folks have their parking somewhere else? I think the police didn't they give their uh their lots uh opportunity to fire.
242. 1:18:58>> I think that um option three of putting the fire station keeping the fire >> We also shouldn't be losing parking before, you know, adding another fire station or anything else. We need to be having a full plan. And I know it's part of the facility's master plan, but we
243. 1:19:13can't be taking away more parking. general plan. Every decision in our community from a legal standpoint needs to go back to the general plan. Is it consistent with the general plan? We have a safety element in the general plan. We have a land use element in the
244. 1:19:34general plan. If we are coordinating those two, we will have an answer to where a fire station needs to be or if it needs to be. I'm going to to come back to my argument for a capacity study. That capacity study can help us get the financing from the state and
245. 1:19:54from our neighboring communities whose residents come and utilize our facilities. We should be getting money from our our neighboring communities to pay for it. >> Thank you, Karen. >> You have question for
246. 1:20:09>> I have some very excited audience people here that want to ask questions. >> Well, I need No, but I need to I give two that have been reported here and then we'll go out directly to the audience. The first one is why weren't residents allowed to vote on the
247. 1:20:26prominade? If elected, would you commit to allowing residents the right to vote on any community altering project costing more than $4 million >> Paddle on this one, everybody. >> No, wait, wait, wait. >> Alex is no. And who else is No.
248. 1:20:48>> Okay. those who are for who hasn't spoken in a mini debate. >> I would like to just say show me the money. I I think what people are upset about is we think the prominant the budget was approved at 2.7 million then all of a sudden it becomes 4.7 million
249. 1:21:06then all of a sudden it becomes 8 million. So what we need is full we talk about transparency but like to Ashley said there's no forward thinking with really understanding all the due diligence discovering all the costs before decisions are made and so I not
250. 1:21:24only think we should put it to vote but there should be major due diligence and underwriting and understanding what the >> Okay Joy pick an opponent between Who is your opponent on this one? Alex >> Alex. 60 seconds. Alex. >> Yeah. The the question was about
251. 1:21:48community projects that are more than $4 million. Fire station in South Lagoon. I don't think we we want that to go to a vote. There's a lot of projects that happen. I think that the prominade, I totally get the people.
252. 1:22:01>> I we had I think 10 public meetings on on the prominade. I think it's a really fair point about the initial >> go on. Let's get the post-it notes out >> I public meeting with posted. >> Everyone, Alex has the floor. You'll get another 15 seconds. Alex, just finish
253. 1:22:20your point. >> I think that Joy, you make a really fair point about the initial cost estimate is 2.7, which I I I think that was probably from 2022 or 2023. I think we need to do a better job with our CIP program of really projecting this. That's one of
254. 1:22:34the recommendations that we had in the um in our efficiency initiative. And so I think that's that's a fair point. But I you know the thing about Laguna, the last time everyone in this town has agreed was 1924 and it was to to approve a bond for um to get uh to go get access
255. 1:22:50to water in Huntington Beach. That was the last time we all agreed. I totally respect that we are not going to agree, but that's what's great about elections is we can um engage with each other and talk about the important issues. >> Joey, you have 30 seconds to
256. 1:23:04response to what Alex just said. >> It's listening to the residents. I mean, it's not just the numbers. There were so many other alternative plans for the prominade with hybrid, saving the trees, and none of that was considered. Our town seems to be giving out to first
257. 1:23:20party consultants. And so, I think what the question is is involving the residents in these major capital decisions and major changes to our town. And I'm all supportive of that. folks in my neighborhood are bringing up. Um that's rarely I don't think
258. 1:23:42anyone ever brings up in the public but we have had an influx in our hill killed communities with coyotes and coyotes have been literally eating the pets. All right. Um and they are uh in fact in my own neighborhood we met with animal control and animal control um has said
259. 1:24:07this is probably the worst year ever of coyotes going into our residential state area. This is uh can't point fingers to any one thing what animal control did say but they did say that is uh we have had um uh development in the open space where wildlife is moving into our
260. 1:24:33residential communities. People are feeding the coyotes and animals control told me he cited a person feeding a steak to a coyote and and and so that they have become habituated to us. And so what they told us is they are now down one animal control officer. Their
261. 1:24:59job is to pick up an unfortunate that the killings that the coyois have done of our pets. Um, and it's a tragic thing to a lot of us who who see pets is more than just animals. They they are part of our families. So, question uh animal control said number one, they could use
262. 1:25:21another officer. They have technically three. They are down to two. one. It will be down to one because of paternity leave. Uh but to bring it up to four would be able to educate the public. Would you be in favor as a council member to uh support increasing animal
263. 1:25:42control for coyote education, uh wildlife and the rest? Uh so show of paddle support. >> Yes or no? are and >> I would support education. >> I'd have to look at the budget before
264. 1:25:58weighing in on that. I like the idea. >> So, I would support education, not necessarily bringing on another employee without having to throw out. >> Well, remember we also uh contract out with Laguna Woods with our animal control. So, if we're down already with
265. 1:26:11one, then we need to relook at that contract and increasing somebody making them pay for their own or increasing the budget. That's why we can't be living so close on the line with our budget because we need more park rangers. We need more animal control. So,
266. 1:26:25>> uh, do we need to look at at at how we, uh, how we deal with variances, uh, in terms of the open space and do, does anyone want to talk about that and the unintended consequences of wildlife moving into our I think all of us probably who live in a lagoon, not one
267. 1:26:44per we just saw coyotes we've never seen in 40 years on our street and we've got pets all over the place. The coyote issue is is a it's a crossjurisdictional issue. It's not just a beach issue. We need to work together with our neighbors to solve that problem. Um with regards
268. 1:27:07to variances on open space, um again, I'm going to go back to our general plan and if we had maps that were up to date and not from 1992, I think we will have the lines on our tennis court. so that we can um accurately make decisions about whether we can develop the open
269. 1:27:29space or not. >> Anyone else want to comment on the coyote problem in Laguna? >> I'm curious. They want to move on, but I'm curious. The natural predator of the coyote is a mountain lion, right? And have they gone extinct? And is that the
270. 1:27:42reason? Did animal control say why? I think if you look at Orange County and you go for a drive out of Libona Beach and towards the mountains, there is so much development. It is it'll blow your mind. You should take a Sunday drive or a Saturday drive. Go out there. There is
271. 1:28:02so much building and so much so many houses being purchased by foreigners, not Americans. And and who know and there's a lot of housing development going on. I would say in the the great park alone is uh 42,000 units and I would ask why when the great park was
272. 1:28:24negotiating their development agreement we were not at that development agreement table getting our fair share of the impact money they gave us pittance and I think it's really important to be >> at the development agreement table when
273. 1:28:38they're being renegotiated >> there there there there are other things of unintended consequences and one and dealing with what one might call animal life that's not as sometimes cute as coyotes could be as puppies. But um I don't understand how people would feed
274. 1:28:58coyotes. That's another story. We have a problem in Orange County with West Nile virus and mosquitoes. We have a question. We'll we'll ask ask one of these questions in a minute. But the question is um about the estuary that is uh in planned buildout at Aliso
275. 1:29:21and um and that there is concern that that might be u breeding uh for um and uh in speaking with uh Mark you used to be we can bring this up to you on vector but um but the issue of what's going on I I actually spoke with a a a doctor in Switzerland who's a research
276. 1:29:46scientist on curing Westnile virus and he said you guys have it bad in Orange County. This is a little issue that should be a big issue and I want the because West Nile will kill people and will kill seniors sooner than uh people who are younger just because of how
277. 1:30:05immunity systems work. So with that in mind, what's your position on the estuary and build out Adaliso Creek? Uh do we want to take some answers to that? Nick, you have your No. No. To Can we have show a paddle about the buildout at Aliso Creek on on an estuary?
278. 1:30:28>> No, no to an estuary. >> No to an estuary. >> Everyone else, I don't see your paddles. Yes or no? >> you're saying dealing with Westnile virus or build up? >> We the buildup there's unintended
279. 1:30:42consequences. How was >> Nick? Why don't we explain and educate your colleagues? >> So from what I understand about the estuary project, it's currently going under an environmental impact report. We're hopefully getting that out soon,
280. 1:30:56maybe in the next month or so. I think it was supposed to be ready by the end of summer. We're here. The issue with the estuary is they want to take it back to how it was. You know, blocking the blocking the burm, blocking the water from flowing. So, you're going to have
281. 1:31:10stagnant water in Alisa Creek, which is going to be a breeding ground for West Nile virus. What we need to have happen is we need the berm to break. We need the water to flow. Now, people are saying that uh by bringing it back to it being an estuary, it's bring it back to
282. 1:31:25nature. The issue is that upstream there's been so much development that the water ity. The water's not clean. We need to be worrying about cleaning the water, but the water needs to flood. We shouldn't be doing anything that's going to be contributing to more stagnant
283. 1:31:39water, which is going to lead to the threat of Westnile virus. at that property and the issue is all the upstream development, right? >> They're contaminating the water through all their chemicals and runoffs and pesticides. And so there's a sign there
284. 1:32:01and they tell the kids don't swim in it. But what happens is the skim boarders like the cool wave it develops. So they break the the um berm so they get the cool wave. But to me what's more important is you know we we know from science it causes cancer and those kids
285. 1:32:18are swimming in this contaminated water. So what the burn does is it acts as a natural aquifer and and it filtrates the chemicals and the pesticides out of the upstream river before it goes into the ocean. So it helps protect our ocean. It helps and and so then when kids and
286. 1:32:37people are swimming in the ocean, it's not as contaminated. So I think there's a little bit of a misnomer about a huge estuary versus keeping the berm. And as far as even a small estuary, it would be helpful. But I I want to go I I >> we can we can move on because not
287. 1:32:56everyone is familiar with this issue. But it can come down to uh where there is a controversy between those who might consider ocean health versus human health and we need to look at that and and I think candidates hopefully will as this moves as another topic. There is
288. 1:33:16one question about priorities I want to get to with mainly incumbents and also how uh how candidates look at we uh and this this dovetales but it's not technically it is about the forest phenomena but >> hold on hold on folks the dovetail part
289. 1:33:40>> how about Ocean Avenue >> hold on a moment we'll talk about that in a moment The dovetail part is we council had approved that we would for safety precautions have have uh street lights put on Glenary for over a mile and yet
290. 1:34:00council did not uh and this was this has been approved for how long? Some of you who are in council voted for this are or certainly are aware of it and yet the priority was for the prominade. Now was that a mistake to prioritize the prominade over lighting Glen Air? And
291. 1:34:21when you're on council, is this something that you're going to ask staff to start moving on as a priority for public safety? So, can we take it with uh Mark? Uh, you voted for you voted for the prominade. You're defending it. Are you defending
292. 1:34:40it as a priority over street lighting, which we still do not have on Glenary? >> No, it wasn't. I didn't defend it or vote for the prominade as a priority over the street lighting on Glenary. Um, do I support the lighting? I I do in in certain areas. Glenary is an appropriate
293. 1:34:59area. I don't support lightning in in every area, but I think in some of the areas that require CPA, I do. But I do support it um moving forward with the Where where anyone want to comment on on lighting? Alex, you you're you're uh you you
294. 1:35:23supported the prominade and was this a wise decision to pri prioritize use our city resources as opposed to street lighting and bora. >> I mean I think there other my priorities have been water independence. I'm excited about the deal we're doing there
295. 1:35:42and then also the fire station. So I it's a good question. Um, I I can't speak to the I don't know where that is in the timeline. So, I I'll get back to you on where that is in in terms of >> Wait, wait, wait. We've got we've got uh going to ask each of you, this is part
296. 1:36:01where where we'll finish. So, bring bring this back to each one of you as a special issue that is important to you. Okay? Um and when you're when it when and if you're elected to the council, what's important to you, but also as far as
297. 1:36:29set up a mini debate with one of your opponents. This is your opportunity to challenge somebody. Everybody here should has an opportunity to challenge on any issue any question that has faced the city. Um you can you can challenge someone you normally agree with or those
298. 1:36:52who you disagree with. But let's start with what >> uh you you have you have one one minute and the uh your opponent has another So, Ashley, who do you what's your issue and who do you want to challenge on your >> Okay, let's see.
299. 1:37:24who do I want to ask? Um, Um, this could go for everyone, but my biggest issue is our fiscal responsibility and fiscal discipline. Um, and thinking beyond the next budget cycle, which we have not seen in the last four years, but Laguna needs to
300. 1:37:46start planning 5, 10, 20 years ahead. Um, and thinking for thinking that way. So, I guess joy. Many candidates talk about preservation and what Lagouna has protected, but protecting Laguna's future also means being able to afford what we've acquired, maintain
301. 1:38:00infrastructure, meet long-term obligations, and protect residents from wildfire wildfire and health emergencies. What do you believe is the single greatest threat facing Lagona in the next 10 years? And what one specific action would you take in your first year
302. 1:38:14on council to address it? we're not thinking through all these projects as you said earlier Ashley uh we need to look at it more holistically with the budget etc. I am very much for historic preservation and I very disappointed that our council 50 paused
303. 1:38:37the mills act which is the only financial incentive to keep these historic buildings. I also think we need to do a vacancy survey because I think that some of the solution for the um affordable housing is to see all these vacant commercial buildings and see if
304. 1:38:52we can't work with landlords and owners to somehow modify it and do streamline uh processing to convert them to the affordable housing. But I I really want to see a diverse community here. I really want to see all types of economic income people living here. I think it's
305. 1:39:10what makes it beautiful from from environmentalists to gardeners to uh architects etc. And I really am very concerned. I think our biggest problem is that we're becoming this uber luxury home uh market and no one lives here and it's going to become a ghost town.
306. 1:39:30>> Thank you. Laura, who would you like to challenge preferably on some issues that's important to you? Well, um I guess I'll my my the issues that are most important to me are always the financial issues and I the as I had said I would like to
307. 1:39:51see an audit committee. I'd like to see improved financial reporting and so I suppose what I'll do is um challenge >> Hello Mark. >> Okay. What's your question? >> do you think that the city could reform or should reform the audit committee to
308. 1:40:14include at least three uh members of the public of of the uh elected body as well as some uh members of the community with audit experience? Yeah, I would be open to um to altering that. Keeping in mind we do have an independent auditor view.
309. 1:40:36>> So that we do do that. >> Uh I would be willing to go as far as putting every single check that's written online. >> I mean to me it doesn't matter. The more transparent the better. So I have to challenge? I'll I'll talk to Karen
310. 1:41:03about the since we both talk about general plan and local coastal plan amendments and um you know we know that the council has already authorized staff to move forward with the general plan and the local coastal plan >> and as you know I've been meeting with
311. 1:41:18coastal staff regarding that and the and Kate Hucklebridgeidge as well. Um, when I hear it talked about, when I hear you talk about it, I I'm a bit concerned because in my opinion, our general plan, I think, you know, it's taken years to to um come up with it. And I think that
312. 1:41:37the vision and everything, the values that it encompasses, do not need an overhaul. I think that the plan needs some adjustments and some fine-tuning and the framework of it needs to have clarity, but I certainly don't think that um the uh the overall values need
313. 1:41:55to be >> Uh thank you for that question. Um unfortunately our general plan needs to be a comprehensive general plan and right now it's a series of unconnected elements. The general plan is the legal backbone for every
314. 1:42:20>> The general plan is the legal background for every decision. And we don't have a comprehensive general plan. We have a land use element. We have that historic and cultural resources element that was done in 1972. We have a transportation element that was done in 1992. So, how
315. 1:42:41are you making decisions like approving the prominade or changing Ocean Avenue when the guiding document to make those decisions hasn't been updated since the late, you know, the late 80s, early 90s? Thank you. We have We'll give you 30 seconds and
316. 1:43:05and to challenge someone and then uh they'll have 30 >> going forward because we're going to get to one more round of something else after this. >> Yeah. U my question is going to be for >> So um Ashley, I know uh like I was here
317. 1:43:18at city at city hall when the city council was trying to kind of push they were shopping it around for like nine months and they really tried to push through at the last minute. a business license tax specifically. Alex was uh wanting and also the mayor even said it
318. 1:43:33at the last debate. >> As a business owner here, how devastating would a business license tax of 3% have been? I don't think a lot of residents really understand that. Could you go into detail on that? >> Um thank you for bringing this up
319. 1:43:45because it is incredibly important um and way more than 30 seconds, but I shall try. So, the um current city council's fiscal uh idea is to tax businesses and residents to try and get out of the mess that they've created. So, they were going to put on the ballot
320. 1:44:02um 3% gross sales receipt tax owning Odo Sushi. That's over $100,000 a year in annual fee. So, me, every other restaurant tour because I talked to the Drake, Coyote, Truly Pizza, Noble Ace, etc. All of us would close. We already have double the occupancy, double the
321. 1:44:20vacancy in this city than Orange County average. So imagine all your favorite restaurants gone because instead of being fiscally responsible, they wanted to tax the local businesses. How could and and they didn't talk to us about this. I mean, that's crazy, right?
322. 1:44:33They're going to put a vote on the ballot and the only reason why didn't talk to any restaurant tour and the only reason why that they didn't is because they did a polling and thank you guys for not being in favor of it and it's an election year so they did put it to the
323. 1:44:48I just want to respond. >> I just want to say I I did not I have never supported that tax was the deciding vote against it in 2024 and 2026. And Ashley, I remember talking about it with you and your insights are
324. 1:45:04confirmed my theory that it was a bad idea. So I appreciate that. conversation regarding the tourism and it costing more than than we make on it, right? This conversation actually has been going on a long time in this town. Okay. The way we do things is we form a
325. 1:45:27committee, we get together, we discuss these things. It was a public meeting and if it would have been approved, it would have been gone to the ballot. That is just an ongoing discussion. It doesn't mean that there was evil intent. It was part of the discussions that we
326. 1:45:42had in this community. >> No, I know. All I'm asking is that instead of taxing residents or businesses, you guys look to make different budgetary cuts away. >> Thank you. Each of you will have an opportunity to uh to address some of
327. 1:45:57this that we may miss uh in writing that we can bring up to the public. Ed, do you have a uh >> challenge? Okay. I do my uh I wrote a letter in February of 2026 to the all city council people regarding spending $850,000
328. 1:46:17on an EOC center. And my recommendation to them, it was a two-page email but short abbreviated version is that you should invest in a mobile command center and for $850,000 you could move that command center south Laguna, North Laguna, top of the world
329. 1:46:35and it would communicate with all >> so challenge. >> And then who was that challenge for? Uh, Alex or Mark, whoever wants to take >> Alex. Uh, but keep it to 30. We we running short of time and we want have time for you to close and we'll we'll do
330. 1:46:55a few more. >> Yeah, I'm interested in learning more about that. That sounds like an interesting idea. >> But you already spent the money. >> We We need to have an emergency operation center that size down.
331. 1:47:06>> My my email talked about what >> let's finish finish. >> We need a seismically sound emergency operation center to I um so that's where I'm at. That's why we did what we did. >> Is it something new or am I talking about this?
332. 1:47:34your own your own personal important issue that that someone you disagree with can counter your point. I don't understand why this city has become so prodevelopment and that all the staff reports um just basically recommend approval of projects whether it be a
333. 1:47:54house or commercial building and um having been in development I've I I'm used to having the burden beyond the developer and having pre-application meetings and I guess my question would be to the incumbents what's happened in the city where the staff figures out all
334. 1:48:11the reasons to say do it, go forward with the project. And there's no pros and cons. There's no pre-application meeting with the neighbors that staff um goes and there's no conditions of approval, very little. And so they're two incumbents.
335. 1:48:36>> Sure. Um, so one of the things that I've been talking to staff recently, more recently about and and in the past as well are variances. So we have our general codes, right? And and if uh as long as you follow those codes, that's what's allowable by law. I mean, that's
336. 1:48:53just the way it goes, right? >> Thank you, Mark. And then Alex, do you have I'm sorry, Mark 15 seconds. >> Okay. Sorry, Mark. So my question has to do with more on variances um and
337. 1:49:12>> and there's some work I think we can do understanding why is that the variances aren't being analyzed a little bit more >> and thank you Mark and I know you you brought it up for appeal one coming up and I appreciate it greatly because you recognize that variance is is a really
338. 1:49:29bad slippery slope and sets precedence >> all right Alex Do you have someone to challenge and you're you have a question to ask? >> Yeah. Not not to challenge but just to have a discussion of discuss. >> I'll go to Nick um about the So I I as
339. 1:49:46you probably I think you were at the meeting. We did a council member Kemp and I drafted a a 12-page memo that kind of outlines a comprehensive efficiency initiative doing a deep dive on the budget kind of addressing what Ashley was talking about thinking not just
340. 1:49:59about the next year but the next 5 10 you know hundred years as we think about our next centennial. um we were able to find 1.5 million new cuts and we looked at per performance metrics looking at um adding performance audits. So one I guess do you support this and then um
341. 1:50:15number two where do you think in the city there are areas to find further cuts um to spending? >> That's a great question. Um I first think that it's I wish it was done sooner that you guys did this uh this review in the memo that you created with
342. 1:50:31council member Kevin. I think, you know, it's always not nice to do it when it's during an election season, you know, knowing when there was a budget issue that you had to make the cuts. And I think what's important is working with the city man.
343. 1:50:46>> What's important is working with the city manager's office and making sure that they we let them do the work and that where they feel that cuts can be made. I don't think it's good to go in and start slashing the budget or eliminating jobs. I think it's important
344. 1:50:59to let the city manager's office let us know where it can be done and without, you know, having the time to really look deeply at it. I think it's um it's something that we need to make cuts but not not have the not allow there to be more new spending
345. 1:51:16with the cuts. >> Thank Thank you, to the two incumbents. >> I Okay, I got to pull it closer and it's on. I promise. Um, to the two incumbents and also Sue, I'm sure she's listening. Um, I just
346. 1:51:36want to say thank you for your service to our community and, um, if you're not um, or even if you are elected, uh, if you are not elected, will you still be available to the candidates that actually win to continue those And um if you are elected, all of us
347. 1:51:59that care so much, will you give us opportunities to give input and listen to us >> in the next four years? >> I'll start with that. Yeah, I really like that question. Um and Karen, as you know, we were we served together on the
348. 1:52:15Housing and Human Services Committee, and I think I I honestly learned a lot from from you about a lot of different things. So, I really appreciate that and I think that speaks to both our desire to serve the city and not being in in in elected office. Um, if
349. 1:52:30and I also would be happy to be a resource if I were not to be elected. I think issues like the hospital are something that I'm very passionate about and it's fundamental to the city. So, I would definitely want to provide any any knowledge or experience that I had on
350. 1:52:44>> Um, and also I always value our conversations over the years. So I would yeah continue to do that. >> We we're we're tech we're technically could is supposed to end but uh I want to give everybody an opportunity to have closing closing remarks. Um I might want
351. 1:53:03to see if uh if you are elected to council, tell us what your first order of business will be and why you should be elected if you've never been on council. And if you have been on council, why you need another four years uh for when admittedly in the village
352. 1:53:24lagoonum meeting you got 5 zero votes. Uh what could you accomplish in the last four years that you need another four years for? And so if we can finish with that and why people should have your vote and um go from there and we have well if you guys have one minute we can
353. 1:53:50stay till 10 after 8 and then close up. Okay. So and then we can thank you and I'll give some closing remarks. Hopefully everyone is in accord when you get these questions or questions that were asked of our audience that we could not get to that you will respond to them
354. 1:54:09in writing and we can post them and so that everyone knows that they've been part of this. This is why we call what we're calling a residence uh advocates for residents. So speak to speak to that. I think we should start with Ashley and then move around the table
355. 1:54:28and we'll give everybody a minute. Okay. To to close. Thank you. >> Well, thank you for tonight. Um, as I said, I chose Lagona to build my business here, Odo. Um, to invest my future here and join the community. I want to protect what makes Laguna
356. 1:54:44special, but I also want to plan for its future. Um, as you have heard tonight, um, so the reason why I'm running, you've heard tonight, we have a current leadership that is not transparent and very reactive. And leadership to me is not wasting months on something as
357. 1:55:01serious as our emergency medical care and then only moving with urgency once the community got upset. Leadership is not proposing a tax on restaurants without first sitting down with the businesses that would actually have to pay for it. Our current council has no
358. 1:55:14plan on how to bring in revenue into this city without taxing its businesses and residents. Leadership is not running the city into a deficit with no financial plan for our future, the pending lawsuits, an insurance fund that needs replenishing, or having pension
359. 1:55:27obligations, the South Lagoona fund, and an aging infrastructure. All with no money to pay for it. We have a general fund that is now 58% dependent on property tax. That is serious. I'm a minute and a half. I can I'll be quick
360. 1:55:44>> if you guys are willing to to wait and and the public wants to hear you. So, sure. I don't want to cut you off. This is an important moment. >> Thank you. >> Um I don't have all the answers, but I promise you I will be transparent. I
361. 1:55:57will ask questions before decisions are made. I will talk to the people affected and I will demand a plan, a funding source, a timeline, accountability, and measurable outcomes. I will treat this job as though my business, my safety, your safety, and the future of our
362. 1:56:11community depends on it because it does. The incumbents can point to activity. I'm asking you to look at outcomes. What did it cost? How long did it take? And did it work? And if it didn't, why would we keep accepting more of the same? So, I'm Ashley Centus and I'm ready to do
363. 1:56:26the work. So, thank you. candidacy is going to put the need for good financial practices in the forefront of voters minds. I would like to see the restoration of the functioning elected treasurer um improvement of public finances through
364. 1:56:51uh improved reporting and a professional audit committee. Um, I also think that, you know, the restoration of the treasurer role would might do that funding for the uh reserve shortfall if you were to return investments to the treasurer and let me train them.
365. 1:57:12Um, I would further support development projects that follow the rules, minimize exceptions that leave the city vulnerable to illegal actions, um, and work with coastal cities to develop common strategies. uh when it comes to things like
366. 1:57:28affordable housing and seismic Um I would I am Laura Paresi CPA elected treasure since 1999 and uh I ask for your vote. Thank you. given the opportunity to um serve another four years, I would like to um in fact that's what made me run again
367. 1:57:57was the commitment from uh the coastal that they would partner on us with the uh the stewardship initiative which would allow us to create a framework to recreate or to update our general plan and our local coastal plan. And I would also like to mention, you know, we've
368. 1:58:15gone through a a very serious inflationary cycle as other cities in Orange County are trying to balance their budget. Um, Laguna has done better than most. And, you know, there's a lot of things in the city that our city, you know, we have fallen behind. There's no
369. 1:58:31doubt, not financially, but our departments have fallen behind. Our facilities have fallen behind. That's why we do the facilities master plan. This council has been making a lot of progress with updating its various departments. I would like to continue
370. 1:58:46that effort updating the departments and um you know there's a long way to go and u but I think that we've made tremendous amount of progress. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. >> uh thank you for this evening. So, I'm running because I think Laguna needs
371. 1:59:07leadership that listens first, like listening to our business owners and trying to make it easier for people to start businesses in town and keeping them here. Uh, using common sense like managing our tourism, using money on enforcement, not this money on more
372. 1:59:20frivolous marketing that's unnecessary. Um, and then also on uh asking tough questions like like uh the department numbers, making sure that we have the the right amount of people in the right departments and then you know focusing on the the basic things like our sewage
373. 1:59:35systems. We're basically number one in Orange County in sewage spills over the past 5 10 years. We need to be fixing that. How are we not fixing that when we're most of our coastline and marine protected area? So focusing on those common sense issues is what I'd be
374. 1:59:49looking forward to do when I'm if I'm lucky enough to be elected on council and I'd hope to earn your vote. long time and was here when Laguna Canyon was given to Laguna Beach from the Irvine Company and I believe we need a change after seeing what happened on
375. 2:00:12First Avenue in the prominade and knowing what potentially could happen on ocean and beach and knowing my walk down Seal Beach Main Street realizing, wow, you could save all the trees, make the wells bigger. Bottom line, we need a change. We need
376. 2:00:32uh leadership that to lead this the city to help the city because money is available from the state from different government uh state agencies that what I've seen in the last four years that the city council has not done and has done a bad job getting money from the
377. 2:00:52state to do special projects here in the city to help the residents. We've done a very bad job. Either bad grant writers or bad lobbyists and city council members could go up to the assembly, state assembly or the state senate to talk to them about the this money that's
378. 2:01:13available. Um, so that's why I'm running. I believe there needs to be new leadership and a complete change >> for the better. Yeah, thanks for everybody staying. So, I know that this takes a lot of work. So, I really appreciate it and it's an
379. 2:01:33important subject. So, um I think I think this city's gotten off track and um especially with all the 50 votes and it's time we need we need new voices. I don't need this job. I don't need it for a resume. I don't need the title, but I love this community and I love the
380. 2:01:55people here and I love our green hillsides and I need to take all my experience and finance and development and tourism and historical preservation and and I want to get us back on track and so that's what I need to do. the residents who submitted questions.
381. 2:02:22I'm I'm running for four more years because I believe that over over the next four years, we're going to deal with really complex issues that'll ultimately face probably or um have an effect on the next hundred years of our city as we think about our centennial.
382. 2:02:37Keeping the hospital is my highest priority. I really feel that we are in a position to to work um to figure out a way to actually do that. It's a complicated issue. know if we could flip a switch, we would do it. Public safety is um also has to continue to be a
383. 2:02:51priority. When I was elected, we had uh only 42 out of our 55 police officer positions filled. We basically been able to almost close the vacancies um which we have to keep doing and crime has gone down. Um we have to continue investing in wildfire safety. I'm really proud of
384. 2:03:07the work we've done on local water reliability going from 100% imported water um to 2/3 groundwater and potentially looking at des I would like to continue that over the next four years. So ultimately I feel really lucky to have grown up in Laguna Beach and
385. 2:03:20it's been an honor to serve on council. Thank you for the opportunity. >> Thank you. you all for staying and and submitting your questions. Um I'm running because I believe Laguna Beach's greatest need is to become more proactive and less
386. 2:03:38reactive through comprehensive planning. We spent too many years solving problems. One project, one ordinance, one crisis at a time. Our general plan, zoning code, local coastal program, and other policies are supposed to work together as one coherent framework.
387. 2:03:56Instead, too many provisions are outdated, conflicting, or confusing. Those rules affect where and how we build, how we evacuate, how we manage our v visitors, how much our infrastructure can support and how we protect the natural environment. That is
388. 2:04:12why I support a comprehensive capacity study. The city is studying pieces of the problem, but I have found no one public scope or schedule that brings these pieces together. If that work is already underway, wonderful. Post the scope, schedule, and
389. 2:04:33deliverables that residents can see it. If not, you should do it. Comprehensive planning is not about stopping change. It's about anticipating change, understanding our limits, aligning our policies, and making thoughtful decisions before the problems become
390. 2:04:49emergencies. I'm Karen Martin. I can bring my decades of working with cities, regional agencies, and utilities to Laguna Beach. Please vote for experience. Please vote for someone who cares. And please vote for Mayor Martin. Thank you.
391. 2:05:15Nothing I would want to do. I don't know if any of you would want me to do. What we'll do is uh we'll take uh if anyone wants to uh have questions for the candidates that will be asked uh of them. We're going to ask you folks to send something in writing. I'll I'll
392. 2:05:36compile it and we'll do it. No, I know. But you don't have to ask. How many do you want? >> We have a lot of questions, but pick three or four that you think make sense for you. You don't have to answer all all of them. We want a cross-section. We
393. 2:05:54had a cross-section of the community. I want to thank the community for being part of this and making it work for all of us. Okay? And we appreciate it. That's what this is about. Uh and uh we'll get back to you. Put your name, email down, question, you can hand them
394. 2:06:13to me and we'll get back to you. Thank you guys. And don't forget to vote. Nuts. Yeah, they're stretching.