Laguna Woods council adopts emergency management ordinance to align local code with state law

The Laguna Woods City Council voted April 15 to adopt an ordinance amending chapter 7.04 of the Laguna Woods Municipal Code to update the city's emergency management framework and clarify powers and duties for the council and staff.

City staff said the redlined ordinance, circulated in the agenda packet, refines organization, functions and emergency authorities and promotes compliance with the California Emergency Services Act. "Staff's recommendation today is that the city council approve second reading and adopt an ordinance read by title with further reading waived," the city manager stated during the presentation. The council took no public comment on the item and approved the ordinance on a voice vote.

The amendment was presented as a follow‑up to a fuller discussion at the March 18 meeting, when council members reviewed the proposed language. The second reading and adoption give the city clearer procedural language for declaring and managing local emergencies, and make explicit certain executive and operational authorities for staff during declared emergencies.

Councilmembers and staff said the changes are intended to improve the city's readiness and to align local code with state statute so that emergency response is both lawful and actionable. The ordinance was adopted with further reading waived; the council recorded the motion as carried by voice vote.