[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6059673,"mediaKeyId","3293965-af2976727674b5901e89a5724d647299","parentId",3293965,"title","Girl Scout Gold Award project adds decorated trash cans, native plantings and outreach to reduce pollution at Seal Beach entrance","audioSeconds",269,"startMs",2789000,"endMs",3058000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293965-af2976727674b5901e89a5724d647299&start=2789&end=3058","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293965-af2976727674b5901e89a5724d647299/thumbnail_2789000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6059673/Seal-Beach/Orange-County/California/Girl-Scout-Gold-Award-project-adds-decorated-trash-cans-native-plantings-and-outreach-to-reduce-pollution-at-Seal-Beach-entrance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059673-eb4d3bce9a37247d7b3b7f4d74f8a71a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775691849&Signature=TNBZHCHzhIeXM01Q8Wzav5Yr8c3~K2Iym2K9-px~mlBCVPa0AuvFjfFbwW~zE9cSup5S-tZ66jUVZ2OIsf-8rpotR~tr8VU4Is4Jbi0xXzIvL2PjT4iKzt9LMI7iAPdAbwy1OgRAy2w1HzR3mILMZpABHuS-w21tU~k6NRreGE2FAJHu6lXrQ1bwRiLXQ46o5lS~v1EBLwdCgIt-ckMwmweI3nxDGAp8Cwb~0qWTl9bT259GtSR~BJNfdkznG6kkWT0lq~-0yigzn0XyzLXzRBedj-XKAU1yj19kOdmjtpp-ic8K~WEGQyXWVMuwfNEHFcDf1DaoASOkScTTgOxqUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seal Beach Council, California","date","2025-05-13T17:11:43Z","article","Seal Beach — A local high‑school student updated the City Council on a Girl Scout Gold Award project aimed at reducing pollution that moves from the San Gabriel River to Seal Beach.

Ava Wagner, a junior at Walnut High School, told the council her project’s completed components include a city‑website article about the river‑to‑ocean pollution pathway, four decorated trash cans placed near the First Street parking lot, and native lemonade‑berry plantings at the same entrance. Wagner said the project’s remaining element is a large, colorful sign showing the river‑to‑ocean flow and including a QR code linking to the informational webpage.

“[I] called our office initially to ask about the possibility of helping the city end pollution at the beach,” Management Analyst Lauren Barich said when introducing Wagner. Wagner said she has involved a team of volunteers for painting, planting and outreach and that the trash cans will later feature QR codes linking readers to the website and a Seal Beach Pollution Solution Instagram account for updates.

Wagner showed photos of the painted cans and plantings and described the project as her final steps toward the Gold Award, an 80‑hour service project required for the Girl Scouts’ highest award. The council thanked Wagner and city staff for partnering on the effort; no council action was required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ava Wagner, a Girl Scout Gold Award candidate, updated the Seal Beach City Council on an 80‑hour project that includes an informational webpage, painted trash cans with future QR codes, native lemonade‑berry plantings and a proposed sign to raise awareness about pollution traveling from the San Gabriel River to the ocean.","taxTitle","Seal Beach, Orange County, California","taxId",72161,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6059678,"Seal Beach police outline e‑bike enforcement, impounds and school outreach",279,3321000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293965-af2976727674b5901e89a5724d647299&start=3321&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293965-af2976727674b5901e89a5724d647299/thumbnail_3321000.jpg","/articles/6059678/Seal-Beach/Orange-County/California/Seal-Beach-police-outline-ebike-enforcement-impounds-and-school-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059678-796922bc62be9a5870336549c6e72d44/orig.mp4?Expires=1775691849&Signature=FDhaeaU6BHJBb-HyGHFm3N2ZLZFxlt-MLdVqvdU9pNRgnQpOf09ZIXL4Gc8V2CCiXTDnfn45QDTb7A9H1gOkN8P3Nyka4bzS0rsqnRYQmM~yLbUdc3mDyQb0-WSc4mp1SYnqKRFx6p89~Y9stdrqY9TjIvc4vCqqPbMUtsHxYqatmB2aA3IjaUoOrLBIqyirkRTULz2me-Z7t8Hr9RR-iqIcne9FTy6dsZHGCnZldRwmqEUSIoHcHbxqT-ZTfwnYzzvawMELH3HOd8sYgO3cStlsArUyg3wfZja2TMIqliJt5EeBXRRbl2bT1udqno4jkPJrXYM2jkBuo~1j--PnQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seal Beach — The Seal Beach Police Department told the City Council on Tuesday it is focusing enforcement and education on unsafe or unlawful e‑bike riding, with an emphasis on high‑speed, motorcycle‑style vehicles and on outreach to parents and schools.

Captain Ezra (presenting for the department) said officers have made four arrests and impounded four high‑powered e‑bikes so far in 2025. He described a strategy that blends education — including deferring some citations when riders complete the California Highway Patrol online e‑bike safety course — and enforcement for the fastest and most dangerous vehicles.

“We have a zero‑tolerance approach for our unsafe or unlawful behavior,” Captain Ezra said, describing the department’s municipal code enforcement and a program that allows officers to dismiss some citations when the rider shows completion of the CHP course. He told the council the department borrowed the approach from other Southern California cities and emphasizes education first when appropriate.

The presentation explained e‑bike classifications used in California and by local enforcement: class 1 (pedal‑assist cruisers), class 2 (throttle‑assist up to about 25 mph) and class 3 (higher‑speed vehicles that function as motorcycles and can reach 60 mph). Captain Ezra said many enforcement problems arise from customers buying vehicles they misunderstand; some sellers and aftermarket kits can change a bike’s top speed and reclassify it as a class 3 vehicle.

Captain Ezra described examples of enforcement and capture tactics on the coastal bike path, where limited exit options mean officers and allied agencies can block and stop fleeing riders. He said most problem riders encountered in Seal Beach are commuters passing through from Long Beach or Huntington Beach rather than local residents, and that when parents are engaged and take the CHP course with their children, compliance improves.

The department coordinates with neighboring cities (Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Los Alamitos), Orange County Transit Authority and county sheriff units for education and enforcement. Captain Ezra also described collaboration with school districts and campus discipline policies used by Los Alamitos Unified to restrict on‑campus e‑bike privileges until students complete safety training.

Council members asked about collisions and pedestrian safety; Captain Ezra said collisions are tracked and that fatal e‑bike collisions in Orange County have been “a handful” and that investigations typically find the e‑bike operator at fault. He confirmed lighting and lamp requirements differ by class (class 1/2 follow bicycle equipment standards; class 3 requires motorcycle‑style equipment and a driver’s license with appropriate endorsement).

The council received the report; no formal policy change or ordinance amendments were proposed at the meeting. Captain Ezra said the department will continue targeted patrols, towing and parent‑focused education and urged residents to report dangerous group meetups so officers can monitor and, where appropriate, intercede.","Police presented an update on enforcement and education around electric bicycles: four arrests and four impounds so far in 2025, focus on class 3/motorcycle‑style bikes, collaboration with neighboring cities and schools, and the use of CHP online safety course as an alternative to citations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6059683,"Neighbors press Seal Beach council to deny short‑term rental renewal at 521 Riviera Drive near elementary school",3145,3071000,6216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293965-af2976727674b5901e89a5724d647299&start=3071&end=6216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293965-af2976727674b5901e89a5724d647299/thumbnail_3071000.jpg","/articles/6059683/Seal-Beach/Orange-County/California/Neighbors-press-Seal-Beach-council-to-deny-shortterm-rental-renewal-at-521-Riviera-Drive-near-elementary-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059683-e687e080b29a7f7fba69f0f57d4dc8ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1775691849&Signature=GJAhPcuGhE5vQL~hY2zdps7DVzd07SsBv5fCLlAd9shcoe9OrWIQpOuY2aWwK9k3cQM2zAk3uXfHQSx46Gas2ZbU88DkkFFfZczyAdKdSIvEDkNe9b6hBQ6MHGTSXDMxtRGYkpQskK0RxzUzguif4yBaK5s3iRx-EuF1RhNl-VY5wMq6pf3eTKvtZXSefIRYOCFjaBFmyAPgFbls00~1EY8osdkvrlcp198jcDecX4zyz9a6hHm3gY1-PCLCfZab7GDsatis0h7ebz0I-X3nnzdPhOYGdp6zUosD~1gyIOSAEVEnoIfjSoHZbrrv4hzVxfEyF8gg6mCvjn1anvopPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seal Beach — Several Riviera Drive residents told the City Council they fear a short‑term rental at 521 Riviera Drive risks children’s safety and neighborhood quality because the house sits about 55 feet from a school drop‑off and fields used by youth sports.

At Tuesday’s meeting Michael Westmoreland, Myra Romero, Julie Westmoreland and others said the rental permit creates a steady stream of unknown guests near Maguire Elementary School and community fields, and they urged the council to refuse renewal. Romero said she collected more than 200 petition signatures from neighbors who share the safety concerns.

“My utmost concern is for the safety of the children using Riviera Drive as an entry and exit from Maguire Elementary School,” Michael Westmoreland told the council, noting the block is a common route for school drop‑off, Pony baseball and other events. Myra Romero said she and neighbors have repeatedly observed parties, multiple vehicles and what she described as overnight vehicle occupancy in a motor home parked adjacent to the rental.

Speakers referenced the city’s short‑term rental ordinance, Ordinance 17‑01, and questioned an apparent boilerplate reference within it to Huntington Beach law. Resident Sherry Engelstead said she contacted the Coastal Commission and found the city holds a programmatic coastal development permit (CDP) that allows short‑term rentals in residential family zones under the city’s adopted approach in 2023, but she argued the council still retains authority to set zoning and permit conditions that protect public safety.

Council and staff responses at the meeting were limited to process. Interim City Manager Gallegos said staff will provide an update and “agendize” the short‑term rental issue for a future council meeting; no date was set. The council did not take formal action at the meeting on the specific permit for 521 Riviera Drive.

Residents asked for stronger enforcement of parking restrictions on Riviera Drive; Myra Romero raised an ordinance requiring movement of vehicles every 72 hours and said a motor home appeared to be blocking a streetposted resident permit sign. Residents also expressed doubts about the effectiveness of hosting platforms’ background checks. Engelstead said platforms’ checks are “neither comprehensive nor guaranteed” and cited state fair‑housing limits on certain criminal‑history screening.

Speakers asked the council to consider proximity limits for short‑term rentals to schools and to clarify whether the city’s ordinance contains an unintended Huntington Beach reference. Councilmembers said staff would return with a fuller report and a date to discuss the matter.

No formal council vote occurred on the Riviera Drive complaints; the public‑comment appeals were scheduled to be included in staff’s future review of short‑term‑rental policy.","Multiple Riviera Drive residents urged the council to refuse renewal of a short‑term rental permit for 521 Riviera Drive, citing child safety at nearby Maguire Elementary, parking violations, and lack of reliable background checks; staff said the issue will be brought back for council consideration at a future meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6059688,"Seal Beach council opens Prop 218 proceedings to consider major water and sewer rate hikes",2584,8359000,10943000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293965-af2976727674b5901e89a5724d647299&start=8359&end=10943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293965-af2976727674b5901e89a5724d647299/thumbnail_8359000.jpg","/articles/6059688/Seal-Beach/Orange-County/California/Seal-Beach-council-opens-Prop-218-proceedings-to-consider-major-water-and-sewer-rate-hikes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059688-cb8a0a4021ecca2365e6d69e8e6d1ffb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775691849&Signature=APf9-m8NPuwrnTGlnrkKB4-B2DbgHb1gn4xv4VAKJJ9JxozC72YFUUBtBnMmO-z6FXJ5MXx3b0Iby8rVwaJokyufkG83011tF5r1wNk9sCu-KO9OJpzqwQBj3vtdU043UX1fe2Np1v068tj62dW3G1dFfnqZKG27gTvL3E8VjQVXRy0NWl4RKUEQxWjYQR9n6pahkvAvuqctTXV~J59k0UJhTvkMKxBivyS2R8jjBUk3EKw7iWlShmC2GtbajvEJIWAm5DEcI5rFvcpl0VSTujXLbJ8oUPwSNE90kRTbmrSpz-NYEVtVziCYWN~a3PfWaJiefGVv5X2CffsC5AQttw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seal Beach — The City Council voted to initiate Proposition 218 proceedings on Tuesday to notify property owners and set a public hearing on proposed water and sewer rate increases that would pay for a multi‑million‑dollar program of capital improvements and loan repayments.

The action starts a statutorily required public process under Proposition 218 and sets a tentative public hearing for July 14, 2025, while also scheduling two community information sessions on June 4 and June 14 at Fire Station 48, staff said.

The move matters because city staff and the consultant, Raftelis, told the council the utilities are running short of revenues to meet operating costs, debt coverage requirements and needed capital repairs. Director of Public Works Iris Lee said the city is “out of time” for some projects and that delays are “putting our public health and safety at risk.” The council adopted resolutions to begin the Prop 218 notice and to use the revised public‑hearing and majority‑protest procedures staff presented.

Consultant Steve Gagnon of Raftelis presented two scenarios the council may consider. Under the more aggressive scenario (scenario 1), the study projects roughly a 96.5% increase in water revenues over five years and a 170‑dollar bimonthly increase for the average residential account by year five; scenario 2 is slightly smaller (about 82% water revenue growth and roughly $145 bimonthly by year five for the average household). Gagnon said the scenarios finance differing capital packages: about $44 million in water projects under scenario 1 versus $34 million under scenario 2, and about $19 million (scenario 1) versus $15.5 million (scenario 2) in sewer projects.

Raftelis and staff described specific projects that the rates would fund, including the Lampson well treatment system (a $4.5 million Orange County Water District loan is listed as a funding source), water main lining in the southern portion of the city, and replacement of an aging pump station at Sunset Aquatic Park so sewage does not overflow into Anaheim Bay. Gagnon also showed the utilities’ current cash‑flow shortfalls: without new revenue, the water enterprise is forecast to be in the red in the current year and the wastewater enterprise is failing to meet bond covenants.

City Attorney Garelli reviewed the Prop 218 and related legal process. He said the council must mail notice at least 45 days before the hearing and that written protests will be counted one per parcel; if written protests from owners of a majority of parcels subject to the charges are filed and not withdrawn, the council cannot adopt the proposed increases. Garelli also explained AB 2257’s exhaustion‑of‑administrative‑remedies requirements and set a deadline of 5 p.m. July 7 for legal objections (distinct from written parcel protests) so staff can respond in writing before the public hearing.

Leisure World, the city’s large multifamily development, will see a change in how fixed charges are calculated after an engineering review showed it requires two 12‑inch meters instead of the earlier assumed single 1½‑inch meter. Raftelis estimated that change will increase Leisure World’s fixed charges substantially — the firm showed it would raise the community’s bimonthly charge by roughly $125 (about $753,000 per year) under scenario 1 and about $100 (about $602,000 per year) under scenario 2. Raftelis said the meter sizing affects cost allocation across customer classes but that the study followed standard cost‑of‑service methodology.

Council members asked about outreach, timing and project delivery. Director Lee said notices will be distributed through the city newsletter, social channels and press releases; staff also will coordinate with Leisure World. Several council members requested regular reporting on project progress if the rates are adopted. Interim City Manager Gallegos and the public‑works director said staff will return regularly with updates on schedules and expenditures, and Gagnon said the council may adopt rates lower than the notice if it so chooses at the public hearing but may not adopt rates higher than the mailed proposal.

The council’s motion to proceed with the Prop 218 mailings, public hearing and adoption of the hearing procedures passed. The city clerk will mail the formal Prop 218 notice and accept written parcel protests by mail or email until the close of the July 14 public hearing; legal objections must be filed by 5 p.m. July 7 to be included in staff’s written response prior to the hearing.

If the council ultimately adopts rate increases, staff said the revenue will be used to repay planned state revolving fund and OCWD loans and to fund the listed capital projects and routine operations.

A public FAQ and copies of the Raftelis study and the draft notices are available on the city website and at the city clerk’s office, staff said. The council also directed staff to include the Prop 218 items in the upcoming budget cycle and to return with project and budget updates as construction and engineering estimates are developed.","The council voted to begin formal Proposition 218 hearings and mail notices about proposed water and sewer rate increases that would fund $34–$44 million in water projects and $15–$19 million in sewer work; staff set a July 14 public hearing and two community outreach sessions in June.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Girl Scout Gold Award project adds decorated trash cans, native plantings and outreach to reduce pollution at Seal Beach entrance

Seal Beach police outline e‑bike enforcement, impounds and school outreach

Neighbors press Seal Beach council to deny short‑term rental renewal at 521 Riviera Drive near elementary school

Seal Beach council opens Prop 218 proceedings to consider major water and sewer rate hikes