[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6505710,"mediaKeyId","5566361-5939065c4373115e1a4c0f2bf7f34c04","parentId",5566361,"title","Laguna Beach staff to issue RFPs for landscape, day-porter and sidewalk cleaning as council weighs expanded service","audioSeconds",2330,"startMs",430530,"endMs",2760710,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566361-5939065c4373115e1a4c0f2bf7f34c04&start=430&end=2760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566361-5939065c4373115e1a4c0f2bf7f34c04/thumbnail_430530.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505710/Laguna-Beach/Orange-County/California/Laguna-Beach-staff-to-issue-RFPs-for-landscape-day-porter-and-sidewalk-cleaning-as-council-weighs-expanded-service","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505710-26b923edcdc881e708eeba4cb0ab9b2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770639940&Signature=GL17cT2YQsvViS8MsI9zW1-DltQlxnUVDhJrq~Q6V~HqZ9zF4qWkxpAzo-Lpw7WCifvoedFtZs~vRrtD8LBpCs~d4eN-FbTB6JPBrr~SXFOXvSl7p3G7lI9rz~Ewf-RlYmRtlKd1siCmpNt-Eus8ZlKaVUcgT7hnKKoRXSiICPudOOw6CAxWE-h4bBDGSkzhFWCERaCFJPqfekzRvqyAoFTzvozdwekhzPM4TiyPdzeSnY7w-bTYQ8mLCCq0TRpejG9jY2CCeE8iZqTCre2QQoVsImg55AhpBQ5uX-3HW3uiS03ERpT-nGPI~cC2IDGKHRC4NQbVqBuqb1V7yY1enA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CityofLagunaBeachCA","date","2025-08-12T21:53:57Z","article","City staff told the Laguna Beach City Council at a study session that existing contracts for landscape maintenance, day-porter services and sidewalk cleaning expire in October and staff will release requests for proposals (RFPs) in the coming weeks.

\"The first study session item ... is an overview and review of our landscape maintenance, day porter and sidewalk cleaning services,\" said Mark Trescu, staff presenter, explaining the purpose of bringing the item to study session so council could give input on scope before contracts are recompeted. \"We currently have contracts for these services that do expire at the October. So we're getting ready to release RFPs.\"

Why it matters: The services cover high‑visibility public spaces used by residents and visitors year‑round, and council direction could increase contract scope and annual costs. Expanded service areas discussed included portions of Coast Highway, Central and North Laguna, additional weekend/holiday coverage, and more frequent pressure washing in downtown areas.

Staff overview and budgets
City landscape maintenance is delivered by a hybrid model: an in‑house division of 12 full‑time and five part‑time employees plus two contractors, Parkwood Landscape Maintenance and MyBotanica, according to staff. The division covers about 108 public sites, and staff said about 78% of sites are maintained by city crews, 14% are hybrid and 8% by contractors alone. Staff reported an annual investment for landscape maintenance of roughly $2,000,000 (about $1,780,000 for city staff and about $300,000 for contract services).

Day‑porter and sidewalk contracts are provided through Spectrum Facility Maintenance under the current agreement. Staff said the day‑porter contract costs about $940,000 annually and supplies approximately 33,000 porter hours per year for restroom cleaning, trash and recycling collection and litter removal downtown and at major beaches. Sidewalk cleaning is roughly $200,000 a year and includes pressure washing downtown, two parking structures and the library. In the peak season (June–September) downtown sidewalk pressure washing occurs four times per week; off‑peak frequency is twice per week.

Public and council concerns
Council member Kemp said picnic areas and some park pavement see persistent trash and grease stains. \"I feel sorry for you guys actually because people are so sloppy there that there's always trash there,\" Kemp said.

Public commenters raised multiple concerns about coverage and standards. Ruben Flores told the council, \"There’s no sidewalk cleaning in North Laguna,\" and urged more service in that area. Landscape designers and residents urged higher pruning standards and more targeted maintenance for specific mini‑parks and shoreline approaches. A public commenter suggested a yearlong pilot or contest to test higher standards by hiring local landscape contractors to maintain sample parks to a residential standard and compare outcomes.

Staff response and possible changes
Staff said one major objective of issuing RFPs is to obtain pricing for expanded scope so council can weigh possible service increases against budget constraints. Mark Trescu said the current operating budget does not account for increased services and that adding items to the bid scope would raise costs: \"It would probably increase cost.\" He recommended getting contractor pricing for any proposed additions, including pressure washing gaps on Coast Highway and expanded porter coverage at selected parks and parking structures.

Staff also noted operational constraints and options: city crews typically operate in one‑ or two‑person teams for routine coverage and contractors deploy larger crews for rapid work; weekend coverage is currently limited to essential functions and events. Staff said they would consider adding weekend and holiday coverage in high‑traffic zones if council directs it.

Quality control and oversight
Several council members and public speakers urged clearer performance expectations and documentation for contractors. One council member recommended photo documentation of sample areas and defined quality standards in the RFP so vendors understand expected cleaning quality and frequency.

Staff said oversight could be increased either by assigning additional in‑house supervisors or by adding oversight duties to the contractor scope, but both approaches would add cost. Deputy Director Reza Jafari and Senior Analyst Ashley Moran were present for implementation questions.

Next steps
Staff said they will publish RFPs in the coming weeks and include options for expanded scope where council has expressed interest. The city will return contract awards to council for approval. Staff said they would also follow up on specific operational items raised in public comment, including alternatives for trash receptacles and the types of herbicides and fertilizers used in city landscaping.

Community input and timing
Council directed staff to collect public feedback and to include pricing options for expanded coverage in the RFPs so council can make budget decisions later. No formal council vote or contract award occurred at the study session; the item was presented for study, public comment and direction ahead of the formal procurement process.

Ending
Staff said the current plan is to release the RFPs maintaining the status quo unless council directs additions; any changes that increase service will require additional funding decisions in future budget discussions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Study Session - August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the Laguna Beach City Council at a study session that existing contracts for landscape maintenance, day‑porter services and sidewalk cleaning expire in October and staff will release requests for proposals (RFPs) in the coming weeks.","taxTitle","Laguna Beach, Orange County, California","taxId",56774,"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},6505706,"Laguna Beach presents wastewater master plan update; preliminary 20‑year needs total about $137 million",1337,2762640,4099870,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566361-5939065c4373115e1a4c0f2bf7f34c04&start=2762&end=4099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566361-5939065c4373115e1a4c0f2bf7f34c04/thumbnail_2762640.jpg","/articles/6505706/Laguna-Beach/Orange-County/California/Laguna-Beach-presents-wastewater-master-plan-update-preliminary-20year-needs-total-about-137-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505706-a0f07680246bf86eefb68b7ec6e8e070/orig.mp4?Expires=1770639940&Signature=C6x94ZlbwKcQ37I-o-k8jgtKEFobkn361bRJk-MA6-3OkawIh2BxVWJbFR~hpUgbbe~wr3C-WnFJs9PkQQGK5Td~2ZJM~AU1-CwBWE4j4Nkrb6ogD9SLgNmSyaA0PEhWXI8TgOFB09sP0cqsg2Y2vUxDEuE6FasQ~TlBqrurVCJoFRxVBKcSRZS5WtvtqGinEWAkaOt4m2PRTyAFS0yMVdkZoDGDX1FVVg93EVc~DMOtXNMq19wBOytwbmxnVV6TzLDWeKuOlhIfTmMxyXYjHTuDZsnKvJD9xjIuzo5frADlLeIl2X4W9SkyP29sELahfgxtk1ZGw-2oLBoHm~Pjqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laguna Beach staff and consultants presented an update to the City Council on the wastewater master plan at a study session, summarizing condition assessments and a preliminary 20‑year capital program that staff estimated at roughly $137 million in current dollars.

\"Our master plan objectives include analyzing hydraulic capacity, identifying system deficiencies, assessing the condition of pipelines, manholes, lift stations, and urban water diversion structures ... and prioritizing rehabilitation and replacement needs in both a 10 and a 20 year capital improvement program,\" said Ulysses Escalona, senior project manager overseeing the effort.

Key findings
The hydraulic model built from flow‑meter data and survey work found no trunk sewer hydraulic capacity deficiencies at this time, staff said. CCTV inspections of approximately 30 miles of pipeline filmed between 2016 and 2021 identified defects including cracks and root intrusion; staff recommended cured‑in‑place lining, full replacement and point repairs. Staff reported about 15 miles have been lined in recent years and identified another roughly 15 miles as candidates for lining.

Staff presented preliminary cost estimates, including about $36 million for pipeline repairs and rehabilitation, approximately $26 million for manhole rehabilitation, roughly $48 million for lift station improvements and an estimated $25 million for the North Coast interceptor project. The total preliminary construction cost presented was about $137 million.

Manholes, lift stations and private laterals
The system contains about 2,937 manholes; staff surveyed 300 manholes and assessed 400, using GPS, elevations and internal scans to inform GIS updates and condition ranking. Recommended manhole rehabilitation methods included geopolymer mortar repairs and cured‑in‑place manhole lining; staff estimated about $4,000,000 in recommended manhole rehabilitation and $2,500,000 identified specifically for geopolymer mortar repairs in the initial summary.

The city inspected six to 26 (transcript range) lift stations; the condition assessment categorized recommended work as near term (2–5 years), midterm (6–9 years) and long term (beyond 10 years). Near‑term improvements were estimated at about $12 million and included pump and electrical replacements, repairs to wet walls and removal of debris obstructing access. Staff noted safety and operational issues such as corroded hatches and limited emergency access at some coastal stations.

A separate North Coast interceptor (NCI) replacement reach 5 project — a full replacement adjacent to Aliso Creek from Coast Highway to the coastal treatment plant — is about 90% through design; staff said environmental documents and easements are being finalized and construction is anticipated in 2026.

Funding and delivery
Mark Trescu told the council the master plan will be finalized and come back to council by the end of the year; staff also said the plan will be folded into the sewer rate study to be discussed in early 2026 to evaluate funding strategies and rate modeling.

Council questions and staff capacity
Council members asked about timing, cost‑basis (staff said estimates were in 2025 dollars) and delivery methods. Mark Trescu said the city has relied on IBank loans for past sewer capital and that the North Coast interceptor has used that financing source; staff also said one lift station rehabilitation is under construction and four others are currently budgeted. On staff capacity to deliver a large CIP, staff said without alternative delivery approaches (for example, progressive design‑build and increased contract project management) in‑house staff alone would likely not be sufficient to manage the full program quickly.

Public comments and equity questions
A public commenter asked that the wastewater fund — not the city general fund — bear the study and improvement costs. Staff confirmed the work was funded from the wastewater fund and sewer rates. Other public speakers and council members asked staff to present delivery alternatives and to integrate the master plan findings into the upcoming rate study and CIP prioritization.

Next steps
Staff said it will finalize project prioritization, refine cost projections, complete remaining manhole surveys and present the final master plan to council in about four months. The plan will inform the sewer rate study and future rate discussions.

Ending
No formal council action was taken during the study session; staff received direction to return a final master plan, discuss delivery alternatives and coordinate funding and rate study work next year.","Staff and consultants updated the council on a wastewater master plan that found no current hydraulic trunk sewer capacity deficiencies but identified extensive rehabilitation and replacement needs — including lift stations, pipelines and manholes — with a preliminary order‑of‑magnitude cost of about $137 million over 20 years.","actionData","errors"]

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Laguna Beach staff to issue RFPs for landscape, day-porter and sidewalk cleaning as council weighs expanded service

Laguna Beach presents wastewater master plan update; preliminary 20‑year needs total about $137 million