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Laguna Beach council appoints five members to Environmental and Sustainability Committee
Summary
The Laguna Beach City Council selected five applicants to serve on the newly formed Environmental and Sustainability Committee, filling four two‑year seats and one one‑year seat. Council members voted by poll; full vote recaps will be posted with the official record.
The Laguna Beach City Council appointed Emma Kuffel, Alexandra (Alex) Farah, Meg Sandquist and Yashar Amin to two‑year seats and selected Kalani Gee for the one‑year seat on the Environmental and Sustainability Committee following interviews and a council poll.
The appointments were made after each applicant gave a brief statement about their background and interest in the committee. Candidates emphasized local ties and experience in sustainability work: Yashar Amin described a background in environmental analysis and real estate development; Alexandra Farah said she is completing a master’s in regenerative studies at Cal Poly Pomona; Emma Kuffel cited prior city public‑works experience and current work as a corporate sustainability manager; and Kalani Gee referenced an environmental‑studies degree and tide‑pool and water‑systems work. Several other applicants spoke about community health, regenerative agriculture and wildfire resilience during the interview period.
Council members used a poll to cast their votes. Emma Kuffel and Alexandra Farah received unanimous support on five votes. Meg Sandquist and Yashar Amin each received four favorable votes. Kalani Gee received three favorable votes and was named to the single one‑year seat. According to staff, a recap of the individual votes will be posted with the official record; the council noted that one council member recused themself from the vote on the fifth seat because a family member had applied.
Applicants were given up to 90 seconds to describe their interest and answer council questions. Interviewed candidates who were not appointed were encouraged by council members to participate in future opportunities or other committee work.
The council noted the committee will include a mix of one‑ and two‑year appointments to stagger turnover; staff told applicants the city had four two‑year terms and one one‑year term available. The council closed public comment on the item before voting.
Next steps: staff will post the formal appointment results and prepare orientation and scheduling for the new committee. No additional council action was taken on other items at the time of the appointments.
