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Dana Point council adopts weed‑abatement resolution, bans kratom sales and approves Whitey Harrison statue
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the Dana Point City Council adopted a 2026 weed‑abatement resolution, moved forward a municipal code update (first reading), approved a city ordinance banning sale and distribution of kratom, and authorized commissioning a statue of surfer Lauren “Whitey” Harrison.
Dana Point’s City Council on Feb. 17 adopted several measures intended to reduce fire risk, regulate an unapproved herbal product and celebrate local surfing heritage.
The council unanimously approved a staff‑recommended resolution establishing the city’s 2026 weed‑abatement program, formally declaring weeds a public nuisance and initiating the abatement process for properties that do not comply after notice. Public Works staff told the council they had identified 135 properties that could be subject to abatement and said historically the city typically needs to abate only three to four properties annually. The staff report cited Government Code sections 39560 and 39588 as the legal basis for the program.
Council members also approved the introduction (first reading) of amendments to Municipal Code chapter 6.14 as part of an ongoing municipal code update. Staff told the council those changes had been previewed at the prior meeting and asked only to introduce the ordinance for a later adoption vote.
On public‑health grounds, the council adopted an ordinance adding chapter 5.41 to the Dana Point Municipal Code to prohibit the sale and distribution of kratom within city limits. City staff described kratom as an unregulated herbal product that can produce opioid‑like effects at some doses and listed reported adverse events including nausea, seizures, liver toxicity and respiratory depression; staff said no kratom product is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Staff also told the council that county health officers and city code enforcement had previously removed kratom from at least one local retailer and that enforcement could be handled by the city’s code officers or the Orange County Sheriff’s Department under the municipal code.
The council approved staff’s recommendation to contract with the artist who produced prior Waterman’s Plaza figures to create a life‑size statue of Lauren “Whitey” Harrison. Staff described Harrison’s decades‑long role in local surfing and canoe‑racing history and presented a sculptural model; family members and community supporters told the council they expect a strong community turnout for an installation event.
Votes at a glance - Consent calendar: adopted (motion carried). - 2026 weed‑abatement resolution: adopted (motion carried). - Introduction/first reading of Municipal Code chapter 6.14 amendments: introduced (motion carried). - Ordinance adding chapter 5.41 (prohibiting sale/distribution of kratom): adopted (motion carried). - Commission life‑size statue of Lauren “Whitey” Harrison at Waterman’s Plaza: approved (motion carried).
The council did not identify specific dissenting votes on the floor; votes were recorded as carried during the meeting. The council also set the next regular meeting for March 3, 2026.
