[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,73,85],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},"mediaId",6686778,"mediaKeyId","2315547-413b81a5c9d1e58473d3e4b5472da51c","parentId",2315547,"title","Laguna Beach staff report 15-year net gain from electrifying city fleet but short-term costs expected","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",456750,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315547-413b81a5c9d1e58473d3e4b5472da51c&start=456&end=456","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315547-413b81a5c9d1e58473d3e4b5472da51c/thumbnail_456750.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6686778/Laguna-Beach/Orange-County/California/Laguna-Beach-staff-report-15-year-net-gain-from-electrifying-city-fleet-but-short-term-costs-expected","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686778-7938873955034d03dc60e0db53782371/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415408&Signature=RzLfOqVgPPGCF4oCCwB9VG9No-s8Oo26Q3hMle01r3Y3I28GJrfbdgYRBAgRpaNH38ETKytwCsqoWqGqRZubJ2Cf0~itUE3znhvjX69~btmk3ipHPcpqSgUW-RLlUuHBU3Fky8pvHWjOpO6fmLVDllhmePHSU1tWKLceoArT4VFojjEOo~rYeHH8OjJWtimwb3JfXD6z1X3S1Wuq-n24WbwgYtMJGgv26BbefJ3IRzTuVxOuwUxSz~Z-aXaXjKTBhwFALW6ac~83yTe6QUgl76gOOpuLGx5~YopvHOCrqZm8-2Q12fs6b-oOnR59E7TQOk89mKLuEd9bNyO~XvNJBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-13T22:55:56Z","article","Mayor Alex Runagi said city staff and a consultant presented updated financial modeling for electrifying Laguna Beach’s municipal vehicles and transit trolleys.

“ The feedback was essentially that over a 5 year period, we would be, we would spend a little bit we'd be a net loss in terms of the cost to do it. But then over a 15 year period, it'd be a net a net gain,” Runagi said. He attributed the near-term loss primarily to the plan’s assumption that the city would buy electric trolleys, and he noted there is currently only one manufacturer of electric trolleys in the market.

Runagi said he asked staff to analyze leasing trolleys as an alternative and to present revised numbers ahead of budget adoption. “My feedback was let's look at how the finances would change if we leased trolleys instead of bought them,” he said.

Runagi framed the fleet electrification initiative as aligned with environmental sustainability goals and long-term cost savings but said the city will revisit the numbers during budget discussions.

No formal procurement decision, contract award, or timetable was announced in the conversation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stu News Laguna's Fair Game with Tom Johnson and Mayor Alex Rounaghi | February 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City consultants told Mayor Alex Runagi that fleet electrification would likely be a net cost over five years but a net gain over a 15-year horizon; trolley procurement and lease options remain under review.","taxTitle","Laguna Beach, Orange County, California","taxId",56774,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":74,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":75,"_41":76,"_43":77,"_45":78,"_46":79,"_48":80,"_50":81,"_52":82,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6686783,"Mayor: Laguna Beach awaits CPUC decision on canyon undergrounding; staff pursuing savings",258,296955,554985,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315547-413b81a5c9d1e58473d3e4b5472da51c&start=296&end=554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315547-413b81a5c9d1e58473d3e4b5472da51c/thumbnail_296955.jpg","/articles/6686783/Laguna-Beach/Orange-County/California/Mayor-Laguna-Beach-awaits-CPUC-decision-on-canyon-undergrounding-staff-pursuing-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686783-2b52eccb727c165cb375f737db1a74bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415408&Signature=Cwg57BscltxeMeJgB3uPxikd5FDX~9cjSom83dcbcGqk5VECFzRd0l3Qn4VAJtwvHEoibSgGW2OUmqGwZmK5yPfSNZXqkr6bgP0onIYjphECAKTJ8cKjDvrBB2~jvVS0igHN1c-7~dEq4a2Hz0Rjl-2~-UABzQWvbXWZRV16NjXp~rzpeoREPC484ePYRaa5g8RJOgwsaMiWVMUzAcF2J7jZD8uL-rszUQjKH9bRkkGdCX5pm-DKOGPY4SN5Mcit5ooj8dfX8SCVE~IHWgcmZ8Q1a7O5nG4MvF77zzMvxsmhjIlo0ycdHmic7tBEeQG9wrhNgOGeuc6WAV1PT4H8EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Alex Runagi said the city is awaiting word on whether it will receive a targeted undergrounding (TUG) grant through the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for undergrounding utilities in the canyon.

“ The next step is to figure out whether we've won the TUG grant, which is for targeted undergrounding through the California Public Utilities Commission,” Runagi said. He added that Southern California Edison has included Laguna Beach as an eligible project but that it is unclear how the CPUC will prioritize projects or whether it will allow Edison to raise rates to cover work.

Runagi described parallel local efforts to find revenue and reduce costs. He said an ad hoc committee including Bob Whalen and Mark Orgill is looking at revenue opportunities and noted the city engaged a procurement consultant, Procure America, to review utility and other bills. “They were able to find $30,000 in annual savings by looking at our bills from SDG, me, and Edison,” Runagi said, describing that savings as recurring and potentially material over time.

Runagi said the city is also applying for federal grants but cautioned eligibility and availability are uncertain under the new federal administration. “There's a lot of unknowns right there right now with the new administration,” he said.

No formal grant award was announced in the conversation, and Runagi did not describe specific timelines for a CPUC decision or for when potential undergrounding work would begin.","Mayor Alex Runagi said Laguna Beach is awaiting a targeted undergrounding (TUG) grant decision from the California Public Utilities Commission and described local cost-saving efforts, including $30,000 annual savings identified by Procure America.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6686789,"Laguna Beach mayor says response to Forest Avenue promenade has been 'mostly positive'",347,48015,395935,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315547-413b81a5c9d1e58473d3e4b5472da51c&start=48&end=395","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315547-413b81a5c9d1e58473d3e4b5472da51c/thumbnail_48015.jpg","/articles/6686789/Laguna-Beach/Orange-County/California/Laguna-Beach-mayor-says-response-to-Forest-Avenue-promenade-has-been-mostly-positive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686789-ea9df742d29ac2a9decc97bc0f41785a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415408&Signature=ZW-oo6JENiNm1RvX4ytubzTxN7m6ovJ~lF-Z05ARUT~B91TJ1Q4EbHio6wdW6WSNqR~a7-DKQ4E~l88HqhkIkmYcTEqkMXU9ugBZnHFR6bHfg6mpUmuEnRW73A4gp3ehH9rO68ZZiMcJaJYyTjl1BVKeczWEyurhE~QzI5LDNv1uA7c9AF3yEooL9EncaSGeHBvrStHgnwI1wJ-FWjx~hUH9yuedBvk36FQw1KHq~Fs452ZrgztI5FOjcRVIKTtE1oCqZXgJmMs9muCNbiG6csqDdZY5tqeek~1GxMhooutUT28-z~xzJzErtviCtaTWlznnyPtJJYiXFFuLiG2fXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Alex Runagi said feedback on the Forest Avenue promenade has been “mostly positive,” though some business owners and residents have voiced opposition.

Runagi, speaking in a recorded conversation with host Tom Johnson, said he had received emails opposing the promenade but that “overall, there has been a lot of very, positive feedback from residents in the community.” He added that some people find the idea of bringing cars back to the street “almost, like, unfathomable.”

Runagi said the criticisms he’s heard fall into two main viewpoints: business owners concerned that losing curbside parking on Forest Avenue will hurt customer access, and residents who view cars as integral to the character of the avenue. “There are a few business owners, who who have the viewpoint that because people can't pull up and park on Forest and go into the business, that that's hurting their business,” Runagi said. He also said other business owners report the promenade has helped their operations.

The mayor framed the promenade as part of a longer-term vision for a more walkable community, invoking James Dilley, a local bookseller and founder of the Greenbelt, as an example of earlier advocacy for walkable public space. “He was all about a walkable community and in many respects, this is the implementation of that vision,” Runagi said.

Tom Johnson, the program host, described visiting the promenade area and nearby Main Beach, saying he found the promenade “so inviting” and noted families and visitors gathering there.

The mayor did not describe any formal actions, votes, or specific next steps for the promenade in this conversation. He said residents and business owners hold differing views and that the city is moving forward with the project’s current direction.

Runagi framed the debate as part of the council’s broader deliberative process, saying disagreements among council members contribute to better decision-making but did not specify any council motions or timelines on the promenade.","Mayor Alex Runagi described broad resident support for the Forest Avenue promenade while acknowledging opposition from some business owners and residents who prefer cars on the street.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Laguna Beach staff report 15-year net gain from electrifying city fleet but short-term costs expected

Mayor: Laguna Beach awaits CPUC decision on canyon undergrounding; staff pursuing savings

Laguna Beach mayor says response to Forest Avenue promenade has been 'mostly positive'