City Council Special Meeting - September 14, 2026

The City Council of Laguna Beach held a special meeting on September 14, 2026, to ratify a proclamation of local emergency due to coastal erosion caused by Hurricane Marie swells and anticipated El Nino storm impacts. The council discussed the current damage to private seawalls and public infrastructure, including Aliso Beach parking lot, and the need for emergency repairs and potential funding opportunities. The proclamation allows for streamlined permitting and procurement processes for emergency work, with a focus on public safety and flexibility to address evolving conditions. The council also considered long-term issues such as sand replenishment and the possibility of leveraging emergency status to expedite environmental review processes. Public comments highlighted the ongoing loss of natural sand supply and the importance of proactive measures. The council unanimously approved the resolution to ratify and extend the emergency proclamation, with plans for ongoing evaluation and community preparedness efforts including sandbag distribution and public workshops.