San Clemente, Laguna Beach, and Dana Point have declared local emergencies after high tide and surf from Hurricane Marie damaged homes, infrastructure, and the coast itself. The storm's impact was significant, with some beaches disappearing into the sea. For San Clemente, the train line running through the city reopened after coastal erosion from Hurricane Marie’s high tide forced the tracks closed for a week around the Labor Day holiday.
As the region manages the aftermath of recent coastal erosion, preparations are also underway for incoming El Niño storms. Seal Beach officials are coordinating emergency response crews and constructing a 14-foot sand berm. A climate expert warns it could be the strongest El Niño on record that could heavily impact the coast through flooding and heavy rains, a concern that extends to all coastal communities.
Elsewhere in Orange County, several municipal and county-level issues are under discussion. Laguna Hills is the latest city to grapple with overcrowded streets, with city officials looking to roll out a resident parking permit program in an effort to alleviate congestion. In Stanton, officials are moving to demolish a building that is attracting homeless people in the blighted Tina Pacific neighborhood of fourplexes, which borders Anaheim on Magnolia Avenue. This action is part of an ongoing homelessness local emergency declaration.
Orange County Supervisors could soon debate giving themselves subpoena power. This potential debate follows scathing audits that revealed weak internal contract oversight, which was a key factor in the bribery scheme orchestrated by former Supervisor Andrew Do, who is currently serving a five-year federal prison sentence.
Fiscal challenges are confronting cities throughout the county. While a host of tax increases are on local ballots this year, city council members in Orange are scrambling to find a strategy if the sales tax increase fails in November, as the municipal budget faces bleak forecasts of multi-million dollar deficits. Cities across the county are also struggling with how to both balance their budgets and give raises to law enforcement. One county supervisor questioned if the county has hit the cap on how much they can afford to spend on sheriff deputies.
Automated license plate readers, specifically Flock cameras, are facing increased criticism from a host of Orange County residents. Santa Ana officials are looking to reexamine the use of these cameras after they have seen misuse throughout the country.
In Newport Beach, city officials are moving forward with a court-ordered local election on three ballot measures, leading to what could be a confusing election this November. The OC Registrar of Voters is not helping with this election because of missed deadlines, leaving the city to conduct its first election in over 40 years. Separately, after Santa Ana City Councilwoman Jessie Lopez’ proposed data center moratorium failed this week, city officials are expected to consider a ban next month as part of a zoning code overhaul approved by the city’s planning commission.
Angels owner Arte Moreno could be off the hook for Angel Stadium repairs as he moves to sell the team to Rams owner Stan Kroenke. Concurrently, the city is finalizing the long-awaited maintenance assessment of the city-owned ballpark.
