Laguna Beach Selects New Mayor, Advances Term Limits Measure, and Reviews Key Community Issues at December Council Meeting

The Laguna Beach City Council held a wide-ranging meeting on December 9, 2025, addressing new leadership appointments, moving a citizen backed term limits initiative toward the 2026 ballot, and reviewing major environmental, housing, and community concerns.

Council Selects Mark Orgill as Mayor and Hallie Jones as Mayor Pro Tem

In its annual rotation of leadership, the City Council unanimously selected Councilmember Mark Orgill to serve as Mayor for the upcoming year. Councilmember Hallie Jones was also unanimously elected Mayor Pro Tem.

The leadership transition followed extensive praise for outgoing Mayor Alex Rounaghi, who received recognition from fellow councilmembers, county agencies, and community members for his work during the year. Both Supervisor Katrina Foley’s office and Assemblywoman Diane Dixon’s office issued formal commendations acknowledging his contributions.

Citizen Led Term Limits Measure Heads to 2026 Ballot

A major action of the evening involved the Council’s certification and acceptance of a voter petition proposing term limits for city councilmembers. Organizers submitted more than 2,200 valid signatures, exceeding the threshold needed to qualify the measure for the ballot.

Under state law, the Council has no option to alter or deny the measure once qualified. It therefore voted to place the initiative before voters in the November 2026 general election.

If approved, the measure would:

• Limit councilmembers to two consecutive four-year terms,

• Require a mandatory two-year break before they could run again,

• Apply prospectively, resetting term counts for sitting councilmembers.

Petition proponent Michael Morris addressed the council, expressing gratitude to volunteers and describing the initiative as a nonpartisan effort to broaden civic participation, reduce political stagnation, and create more equitable opportunities for new candidates.

Council Initiates CEQA Review for Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration

The Council considered whether to begin a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review for the proposed Aliso Creek estuary restoration project, which aims to study potential habitat revitalization and ecological improvements in one of the region’s most degraded natural areas.

Doing this authorizes a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR), a scientific and technical study examining potential impacts before the city decides whether to proceed with any restoration work. Councilmembers emphasized that this approval allows study only, not construction or physical modification.

Public Comment: Support

Several speakers urged the council to approve the environmental review:

• A long-time volunteer with the Aliso Creek group called it “a very simple step forward” necessary to answer lingering questions and responsibly study the estuary’s condition.

• Another speaker argued the city “must take this necessary action to understand the total scope and nature of this complicated estuary area,” calling the city’s leadership vital to moving the project forward.

• A representative from Orange County Coastkeeper said moving forward was “a logical next step” and emphasized statewide investment in the project.

Public Comment: Opposition

Other speakers raised concerns about cost, redundancy, and missing analysis:

• One resident argued the city already has a comprehensive technical report from 2021 and does not need another costly study. They cited concerns about funding gaps and the state budget and questioned why prior studies were not addressed in staff’s presentation.

• Another speaker said the study doesn’t address core issues like polluted water entering the watershed and worried that reviewing the estuary without addressing upstream problems is a “waste of money.”

• Concerns were also raised about the consultant selection process, with one commenter citing confusion regarding bid transparency.

Outcome

After hearing both supportive and critical comments, the Council unanimously voted to begin the CEQA Environmental Impact Report. The decision allows the city to conduct a full scientific analysis before determining whether to pursue restoration in the future. Councilmembers reiterated that no construction or estuary alterations have been approved at this stage.

Updates on Affordable Housing and Community Land Trust Efforts

City staff presented a detailed update on the city’s ongoing efforts to create a Community Land Trust and potentially acquire two properties in Laguna Canyon - 2307 Laguna Canyon Road and 2535 Laguna Canyon Road - for long-term affordable housing.

Negotiations with property owners have resulted in prices below appraised market value. Staff outlined potential loan structures, deferred maintenance considerations, and the timeline for finalizing agreements.

Public Comment: Support

• One speaker said the city “must do this first deal” and saw “no good reason” not to proceed.

• Longtime tenant and artist Tom Lamb spoke about the importance of these large workspaces, describing the buildings as part of Laguna’s cultural identity and essential for keeping working artists in the city.

• Another commenter, connected to the Land Trust, explained that the financing plan positions the city only as a short-term bridge lender, avoiding long-term real estate management while enabling the Trust to steward permanently affordable units.

Public Comment: Opposition

• No commenters opposed the property purchases.

  
  

Outcome

The Council directed staff to continue advancing the deal. Staff are expected to return to the Council in January with finalized loan documents and property transfer recommendations, which will then go to a vote.

Pump Track Proposal Draws Strong Neighborhood Opposition

The majority of public comment at this meeting heavily focused on the proposed bike pump track in or near Moulton Meadows Park, although the item was not formally on the agenda.

Residents from Arch Beach Heights and surrounding neighborhoods voiced concerns about wildfire evacuation routes, increased traffic and parking strain, noise impacts, and the potential for attracting non-resident users.

More than 400 residents have signed a petition opposing the project.

Public Comment: Opposition

• Noise and misuse: Speakers cited problems at other pump tracks involving skateboarders and e-bikes.

• Traffic and parking: Residents feared the area’s narrow streets could not handle additional demand.

• Wildfire evacuation: Speakers stressed that the area is already difficult to evacuate and that a regional draw would worsen conditions.

• Petition: Residents highlighted broad neighborhood opposition.

• Alternative locations: Multiple commenters urged removing Moulton Meadows from consideration.

Public Comment: Support

• No speakers voiced support.

Outcome

The proposal will be reviewed by the Recreation Committee on January 12, after which a formal recommendation will return to the Council.

Additional City Announcements

The meeting included several smaller but notable updates:

• The city will discontinue Promenade tent structures beginning in 2026.

• The Council scheduled special meetings for December 18 (Building & Fire Code updates) and January 6 (Design Review appeals).

• The city is seeking applicants for the Animal Shelter Manager position.

Community and Cultural Recognitions

The Council celebrated Laguna Beach’s victory in the Lawn Bowling City Challenge, recognized winners of the Children’s Holiday Palette Program, and highlighted the success of the Art & Nature 2025 festival, an event that brought hundreds of residents together to experience art installations and environmental programming.

Looking Ahead

As Laguna Beach moves into 2026, residents can expect continued discussions on term limits, housing acquisition efforts, environmental review findings for the Aliso Creek estuary project, and updates on recreational planning, including the pump track proposal.

We encourage you to pass this article along to anyone who might benefit from staying informed about what’s happening at City Hall. Thank you for taking the time to stay engaged, we’ll continue covering future City Council meetings to ensure residents have clear, accessible updates on the decisions shaping Laguna Beach.