In response to a power outage on Monday Oct. 19, which left over 700 residents in the dark for multiple hours, council member Iseman requested the following night at City Council that Cox Communications be invited to present information on phone service disruptions for Laguna citizens still using landline phones. “I am concerned that Laguna Beach residents have the info they need in case of a disaster,” said Iseman.
At issue was the method of back-up power for phone service, when power outages do occur, and the process by which customers are provided informational updates. Esther Northrup, senior director state regulatory affairs, discussed the Cox Communication back-up battery and its functionality during times of electrical failure. “Most people now have moved to wireless services and away from the wire line option,” she said.
For Cox customers who do have landline service, most have inside their home an internet/phone modem (packet switch), but some residents may also have earlier technology (circuit switch) that utilizes a system, which sits attached to the outside of the home.
The distinction is important, because when power outages occur, those individuals who have a corded telephone, (cordless telephones do not work in outages, because they need a power source to operate) and have the internet/phone modem require a charged back-up battery to have phone service during an outage. “The key distinction is battery versus line powered,” said Northrop. The battery back-up accompanying the modem has a four hour operative talk-time life.
Currently, new Cox customers may purchase a battery through Cox for $24.99 however, if you had service prior to Nov. 1, 2013, Cox provided you with a free battery. “We have found that only one percent of our customers choose to want the battery,” said Northrop. “Franky there has been a change of behavior, people rely on their cellular service.” Northrop also explained that Cox notices customers once or twice a year regarding their equipment.
Bottom line…if you have a corded phone and use an internet/phone modem in your home, you need a back-up battery fully charged. If you want a fresh battery, or need a new one, contact Cox Communications. For customers with corded phones, not using Cox landline service, other providers such as AT&T or Verizon utilize similar protocols, and should be contacted as well by customers if a battery is needed.
Additionally, City Manager John Pietig encouraged all Laguna residents to register for Alert OC in order to be properly prepared in the event of a disaster. “Register your landlines, cellular lines and emails,” he said. Notices on Alert OC are being mailed out to Laguna residents beginning this week.
In related Cox news, the presenters informed the council that their transition from traditional analog service to full 100 percent digital would be effective as of Nov. 10, 2015. This change will impact only those individuals whose televisions are plugged directly into electrical outlets and do not have Cox boxes. According to Kristen Camuglia, manager of government affairs for Cox, most Cox customers, 88 percent already have transitioned to digital. Customers can order the necessary digital mini box through Cox Communications.
Technology Disruption
As technology goes, homes and planes might not seem cutting edge as compared with Facebook or mobile apps, but Laguna residents made their voice heard on housing and transportation during public comment on Tuesday night.
Most discussed was the city’s moratorium on short-term rentals, which has caused considerable animosity between supporters and those opposed. According to the City’s website, the ban “on the approval and issuance of new permits for short-term lodging units” runs until Oct. 1, 2016.
With the rise of such shared economy housing technologies such as Airbnb, Kid and Coe and Preferred Residences, users can rent out their residences, often for substantial profits. “We request that the ban be repealed and the permitting process be reinstated immediately,” said President of the Laguna Beach Republican Party, Emil Monda. “The ban goes to the basic tenet of property rights dating back over two millennium. The right to own and use personal property is fundamental, and the ban violates these rights.”
In agreement, Laguna resident, Howard Hills noted that the “ban tends to create a black market, prohibitions tend not to work historically,” he said.
A beneficiary of the short-term rental market, Lianne Kirkland, a fifth generation Lagunan, used proceeds from renting out her home to support her mother who has utilized full-time living services for the past 14 years. “I manage her care giving by the short-term stay opportunity,” said Kirkland. “I had to fulfil existing rental contracts, but was fined $4,000 in fees, and negotiated down to $500. This needs to be looked at, the ban is hurting a lot of folks.”
The next hearing on the short-term rental issue will occur at the Nov. 17 City Council meeting. “We have been working on this and many of you who spoke tonight will no doubt want to come back on the 17th to speak again,” said Mayor Bob Whalen.
Plane In Sight
Laguna residents have also expressed anger over recent flight changes, which are causing noise disruptions over the city. Specifically, residents are concerned that planes leaving John Wayne Airport are deviating from their flight plans and traveling in greater volume above the city. In the last month the issue has been occurring with greater regularity.
“I am extremely disappointed in our usually responsive City Council,” said resident Michele Monda. “This morning (Tuesday) between 7:06 AM and 7:21 AM, 10 airplanes flew right over my house in South Laguna. Only one member of the council responded to me, indicating there was nothing the city could do.”
Councilmember Iseman who has spent considerable time on the plane issue, said “there has been a flurry of emails about the flights, I have never seen a change that rapid in terms of what is going on at the airport.” Assistant City Manager, Christa Johnson explained the current status, noting that considerable effort has been exerted working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which “controls planes in the year, John Wayne controls planes on the ground,” she said.
The current curfew in place bans flights between 11 PM and 7AM however, planes are in increasing cases not following as precisely as they might the FAA procedure recommendations, to fly out over the ocean further to the south of Laguna Beach prior to turning inland. “Pilots are not obligated to fly that path,” said Johnson.
The solution according to Johnson is remaining pro-active “and be on the FAA,” she said. Johnson and Councilmember Iseman encouraged all residents to write letters to the FAA citing specific time and date noise concerns, and route them through the city. “The FAA needs to hear from everyone in town who objects to this,” said Iseman.
