[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",5973773,"mediaKeyId","5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386","parentId",5833930,"title","Laguna Niguel cites 47,000 community event participants, launches virtual assistant and expands transit access","audioSeconds",126,"startMs",382000,"endMs",508000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386&start=382&end=508","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386/thumbnail_382000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973773/Laguna-Niguel-cites-47000-community-event-participants-launches-virtual-assistant-and-expands-transit-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973773-e2ef96870ae79daebbbabae066f57c9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169113&Signature=n~Ds2-NYIzBPSpsDW4FrK2yG9~NLxmmlNJU5Z4eI2PIeSdUoB~WURdCIZeH9fp0SgPtO7shc0kBaMl~wp-oeuIp6TI9d6Yzu1X8k-9zRZfcitoItnZMV9pp-vQ2hFNDoVJvNqN~-5a9lcVji~-~xsm0-4iwxOMD6XgZz7E~A3NqDUrfBWkrGLq~VkUFEz5vu8TLqHAIsm0cLA6LIw3i7ba6FP8Wzsszat-nnSUF~opotsoyamkNEVZB3-xq1dtMGrMOUvqzkWlpKQq8h6o~ucpCJaMTsqaBrgytFYkmnOH6X83tsC7RNDo4v7N5KIyhW7NDZ1cF4TYLUIryGOnzJ1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Laguna Niguel","date","2025-09-26T00:00:00Z","article","Council member Kelly Jennings told residents at the State of the City that Laguna Niguel welcomed more than 47,000 participants to signature community events over the past year and credited volunteers for much of that participation. \"This past year, we've welcomed more than 47,000 participants to our signature community events,\" Jennings said, citing events such as the Bunny Bonanza and the Sea Country Festival.

Jennings also announced the city launched Beacon, a virtual assistant designed to help residents access information and services more quickly, and said the city expanded its social media reach by more than 5,000 followers across platforms. She said these tools and digital outreach were intended to keep residents informed about city initiatives, events and opportunities.

As examples of expanded services, Jennings said the city secured additional locations for the Senior Wheel Transportation Program to improve access for older adults and launched a new north line on the free Laguna Niguel summer trolley to provide transit between Crown Valley Park and the Laguna Niguel‑Mission Viejo Metrolink station. The trolley expansion, Jennings said, connects more residents \"from the hills to the sea.\"

Jennings also described the city's extensive outreach related to a proposed battery energy storage system project in San Juan Capistrano. She said the city used its website, mass emails and social media to keep Laguna Niguel residents informed during the California Energy Commission review process and noted that local groups, including a community advocacy group identified in the address as BLESSEN, have been active in urging opposition to the project.

Discussion: officials presented these actions as ongoing engagement and outreach activities rather than items requiring immediate council action. Direction: maintain digital outreach tools and continue to support volunteers and transit expansions. Decision: none recorded in the address.

Why this matters: the combination of in‑person events, digital tools and targeted outreach affect how residents receive information and access services, and the battery storage outreach relates to an external regulatory review that has mobilized citizen groups.

The council encouraged continued resident participation in events, volunteer programs and public comment on external projects under regulatory review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 State of the City","oneSentenceSummary","Council member Kelly Jennings said Laguna Niguel hosted more than 47,000 participants at signature events this year, launched a virtual assistant called Beacon, and expanded transit and senior transportation services.","taxTitle","taxId",0,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},5973779,"Laguna Niguel highlights expanded volunteer wellness checks, drug take‑back and wildfire preparedness",58,225000,283000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386&start=225&end=283","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386/thumbnail_225000.jpg","/articles/5973779/Laguna-Niguel-highlights-expanded-volunteer-wellness-checks-drug-takeback-and-wildfire-preparedness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973779-baf4210ad3b909a1ae148558e738cd54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169113&Signature=Z9KgwXCb-pdHosz30P-EWX9guNyiNE7MRtJceHrFxFgXPFBkLR4kAUh1SUUsYOofEUDd9T9EL1e5jaKZje64RNa-X1snq-KCfCQsexjcMhmAmyRAjBxrFzk4iezkB9a1WigflRPiesVrjGr4~V~r~AAdKZYk5Eyqr~ZjjuYXpJKcQI18XlV6S2LSuqKwsAvDwS3mc4UrOUqEnQvasiAf3JKhG9NhzSh2pErCxnC78AnlV4dsJcKxwjWRAf7KXxsU8RcGlBlSXfxLosgYPW7To-njeYk0REXxoLLF5oxcLYxnpUXZ1~Xox2NqvP6VR4BgbE~TtuXiQHKlDDSheSrrww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Ray Genoway said at Laguna Niguel’s State of the City that the city expanded several public‑safety programs this year, including a larger volunteer wellness effort, drug take‑back and joint emergency preparedness work with county responders. \"Serving as mayor of this remarkable community over the past year has been one of the great honors of my life,\" Genoway said, then highlighted program results.

The city’s You Are Not Alone (YANA) volunteer program grew substantially, Genoway said, with volunteer hours increasing fivefold over the prior year and volunteers conducting more than 450 wellness calls and visits to program participants. He described the program as offering \"reassurance, connection, and a compassionate presence to those who need it the most.\" Mayor Pro Tem Johns also credited the city’s strategic, proactive approach to safety as a reason Laguna Niguel ranks among the safer California cities.

Officials also promoted the city’s year‑round prescription medication disposal service. Genoway said the program collected 165 pounds of unused or expired prescription medication during the past year. City leaders framed the service as a public‑health measure intended to reduce accidental access and potential misuse by children, teens and those struggling with substance use.

On preparedness, Genoway said the city hosted joint operation briefings and tabletop exercises ahead of wildfire season to coordinate response among the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Orange County Fire Authority and Laguna Niguel staff. He said the sessions were intended to strengthen interagency coordination so the city can \"respond effectively in an emergency, when every second counts.\" The mayor and mayor pro tem described the exercises as part of the city’s broader emphasis on proactivity and planning.

Discussion: council remarks in the address framed these items as accomplishments rather than proposed new policy; no council vote on these programs was recorded in the State of the City presentation. Direction/next steps: continued volunteer recruitment and ongoing coordination with county agencies were presented as operational priorities. Decision: none recorded during the speech itself.

Why this matters: the programs target vulnerable residents and emergency readiness, and the city presented specific participation and collection numbers to document expanded scale.

Looking ahead, officials said the city will continue outreach to recruit volunteers, operate the disposal program, and run preparedness exercises with county partners.","Mayor Ray Genoway said at Laguna Niguel’s State of the City that the city expanded several public‑safety programs this year, including a larger volunteer wellness effort, drug take‑back and joint emergency preparedness work with county responders.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},5973758,"Laguna Niguel touts first biennial budget, balanced years and targeted street funding",191,959000,1150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386&start=959&end=1150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386/thumbnail_959000.jpg","/articles/5973758/Laguna-Niguel-touts-first-biennial-budget-balanced-years-and-targeted-street-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973758-684b6eca8dce8c395730885df8144cd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169113&Signature=TDYc1ECOkPUAqqTSPHU4E6Ki25MDHGi9WhtQy-0qK0-JhW8ZmcoTURKo2yRkzB49~b7dec8yM8lDB1eDypO5DP-YfU-AZkYhEtq5h8CYyxv5O~~xOxL7uSFudjt-sV8o0RHQsJOsNUnl6BOAeuP-d60XSLDIk4ZndXuqUsvtEHPGZa1aeYRc9UvIMRDszio5qyzG1eYjkrlO2DaWhVuFcqSlqIkGcBnyPGvo~7nOq7xO4ktkFg5ooxxb6A3aaia2D-MOFdOUYKuZDy92EZbInJr2cdJp1dotXga-~~fnXB7Ikd0vWTrP5vRISwcbat4YQIYZ3CzyNfbblXR0z5RKVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Stephanie Winstead said Laguna Niguel adopted its first-ever biennial budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27, a milestone the council described as improving long‑term planning and operational efficiency. \"This past June, the city council proudly accepted the city's first ever biennial budget, a 2 year financial plan for fiscal years 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027,\" Winstead said.

Winstead said both years of the biennial budget are operationally balanced and that the city continues a long‑standing policy of carrying zero debt. She said more than 90% of the capital improvement program budget in both fiscal years is allocated specifically toward street improvements.

On investments and reserves, Winstead said the city amended its investment policy to include participation in the CAMP investment pool and authorized investments in 10‑year U.S. Treasury securities to prudently lock in favorable returns. She also said the city continues to evaluate investment opportunities to maximize returns while holding conservative principles.

Winstead said Laguna Niguel projects receiving more than $31,000,000 in federal, state and local grant funding over the next five years, covering roughly 42% of capital improvement costs; she presented the figure as a projection and did not provide itemized line‑items in the address.

The council also noted that the city's financial reporting was recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

Discussion: Winstead framed these as achieved milestones and policy updates rather than new proposals requiring a vote during the State of the City address. Direction: continue conservative fiscal management, evaluate investments and pursue grant funding. Decision: the biennial budget and investment policy amendments were described as adopted previously; transcript did not include formal vote details in the address.

Why this matters: adoption of a two‑year budget, a stated zero‑debt posture, investment policy changes and large projected grant receipts influence the city's fiscal capacity to fund capital projects and services.

Officials said the city will continue to pursue grants and prudent investment strategies to sustain services and infrastructure investment.","Council member Stephanie Winstead said Laguna Niguel adopted its first biennial budget for fiscal years 2025–26 and 2026–27, with both years operationally balanced and a large share of CIP funding directed to streets.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},5973763,"Laguna Niguel prioritizes street maintenance and active‑transportation projects",64,768000,832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386&start=768&end=832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386/thumbnail_768000.jpg","/articles/5973763/Laguna-Niguel-prioritizes-street-maintenance-and-activetransportation-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973763-bb5f3101ad7092fadf63de888c32a474/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169113&Signature=CI-iLWGI6oLxk4kLA2dea1DPW5qEx73LUVlzxKPuWWbJYadCBLObtbSqN9KKFoEqEvobjE-D8BRTFqMag6BjhSgAAHbYwbCQ0oQXHq4Mmc3XAFBYFVbUNzCd5j04yr6cTbP4WIibEjA5qvu-qD5Xodfy3nG2q1xu1JWZ7Yqc8pITI9~Smm75JMBHa5czn~6iVbuUVoUzE9AKB69amYOyEe7dNzMBYMA37kjxKRYpIGa2RP23NEKBKGY43LuR~-MtHDB3~4XCrchhBSmUzSgcm0rijhMJOQBFINveNZzJvp9GakopJE--UOHMMB~1LT1qXlpoQgrKysJsuiXLPG8hgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members said that maintaining and improving streets is a top capital priority for Laguna Niguel. In his State of the City remarks, Mayor Ray Genoway noted the city’s residential resurfacing program, commonly called the slurry seal project, is underway and scheduled for completion this fall and that the work follows the city’s pavement management plan.

Genoway and council member Stephanie Otto said the city is also advancing active‑transportation projects. Otto noted progress on the Laguna Niguel Active Transportation Plan, which included resident outreach and the Aliso Creek Road Pilot Bikeway Project; she said the pilot earned recognition from the American Public Works Association of Southern California as \"project of the year.\"

On La Paz Road, Otto said the city conducted surveys and public meetings and completed environmental studies and engineering design services as part of project approval. She said the final design of the permanent repair is expected later this year.

Officials said more than 90% of the capital improvement program budget in both years of the city’s recently adopted biennial budget is allocated toward street improvements, underlining how the city aligns fiscal policy with roadway needs.

Discussion: council framed these efforts as ongoing capital projects following standard project‑approval steps (environmental studies, design). Direction: complete design and construction schedules per the pavement management plan. Decision: no new ordinances announced during the address.

Why this matters: street maintenance and active‑transportation investments affect mobility, safety and long‑term maintenance costs for residents.

Officials said they will continue public outreach as projects enter design and construction phases.","Officials said the city's residential resurfacing (slurry seal) project is underway and scheduled for completion this fall, the city’s pavement management plan guides biennial resurfacing, the Aliso Creek Road pilot bikeway won an APWA award, and La Paz Road permanent repair final design is expected later this year.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":-5,"_68":69,"_70":-5,"_71":72,"_73":72},5973768,"Laguna Niguel says ACE team, registration upgrade and GIS tools are streamlining city services",38,660000,698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386&start=660&end=698","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5833930-0b4c1a2d73fdf1da9ab8e86c5c192386/thumbnail_660000.jpg","/articles/5973768/Laguna-Niguel-says-ACE-team-registration-upgrade-and-GIS-tools-are-streamlining-city-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973768-0259e67bde47cdfa51eb8fd04244ebbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169113&Signature=dZz8CkQmGTKe-~tHlUWbRNLksDd225W4BLl~wWwYC0NYNs32oc~rgf1yshyTCSDqusOPwm1~CeAblyuPYGhK0s4zrVjrhnYcJ6mCb-cqh9fv1ElKSVzaG3JxKpgXornJ7vI16QD77~f32v8hWDBwoleJnDb~9Nmtd3pvfjLS5dUtG5SOcuYA0y3AkX10bC6CMeoShsC~mZrL7-I8G0tZsIcj3s8g-uQDqfOYmZ3nd3LQu~RfpEetjLZCOsk2qfz2q0KfQYNf83AP4ttEd8aUiSPLoaGhlhPacW24qEaplXuSYnkPlGzFvk5k52eFaWqZVKZW4THCwi2co~ycevDFog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Stephanie Otto told attendees that Laguna Niguel is pursuing internal innovation to make city services more efficient and user friendly. \"One standout effort is the city's ACE team, short for advancement through collaboration and engagement, which identifies outdated and often lengthy processes and modernizes them for greater efficiency,\" Otto said.

Otto said the city updated its recreation registration software this year, improving functionality for thousands of users while saving the city money annually. She also said staff are expanding the use of geographic information system (GIS) tools to make zoning and permit information easier to access through more user‑friendly applications.

Otto framed these efforts as time‑and resource‑saving measures that reduce friction for residents and city staff. She said the city pursues such changes on an ongoing basis but did not present new policy changes or budget votes during the address.

Discussion: initiatives were described as implemented or in progress; no formal council action or new program funding was presented in the speech. Direction: continue ACE team reviews and roll out software and GIS improvements. Decision: none recorded.

Why this matters: streamlining administrative processes can reduce wait times for residents and lower city operational costs.

Officials said the city will continue to pursue process improvements through ACE team reviews and technology updates.","Council member Stephanie Otto described the city’s ACE team effort to modernize processes, an upgraded recreation registration system that improved functionality while saving staff time and money, and expanded GIS use to make zoning and permitting easier for residents and staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Laguna Niguel cites 47,000 community event participants, launches virtual assistant and expands transit access

Laguna Niguel highlights expanded volunteer wellness checks, drug take‑back and wildfire preparedness

Laguna Niguel touts first biennial budget, balanced years and targeted street funding

Laguna Niguel prioritizes street maintenance and active‑transportation projects

Laguna Niguel says ACE team, registration upgrade and GIS tools are streamlining city services