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Laguna Hills adopts business recognition program to spotlight local businesses
Summary
The council adopted a new business recognition policy to honor up to six Laguna Hills businesses annually (every other month) based on leadership, community impact, heritage or innovation; selection will use staff screening and the Economic Development Committee with Chamber collaboration.
Community Development Director Loach presented a policy establishing a city business recognition program. The program will accept nominations (including self‑nominations) via a city web form, screen nominees for eligibility (must operate at a physical Laguna Hills location, employ at least two people, be in good standing with city codes, and not have received the award in the prior three years), and forward eligible nominations to the Economic Development Committee and Chamber of Commerce for selection. The city would recognize up to six businesses per year (bi‑monthly), provide a certificate of recognition, a site visit by the mayor or a designee with a Chamber representative, and public recognition on city communications and the website for two months.
Council discussed whether to limit Chamber members to three of the six annual recognitions; a substitute motion to cap Chamber members at three lacked a second and was not considered. Council Member Mathis moved the staff recommendation, it received a second, and the council approved the policy unanimously. Staff said promotional materials and a nomination web form were ready to go live the following day if council adopted the policy.
Councilwoman Hazel urged balance between Chamber and non‑Chamber nominees to encourage broad participation; the city attorney confirmed that how the council structures the selection criteria is a council policy choice rather than a legal constraint.
