I write to you as a fifth-generation Laguna Beach local deeply rooted in this community, expressing my concerns about the Woods Cove Undergrounding assessment and its notification process.
This assessment impacts 368 parcels with a total cost surpassing $14 million. The means of informing residents, a small four by six black and white postcard with a QR code, was insufficient. Many either did not receive this or mistook it for junk mail. This contrasts sharply with the clear eight by 11 notification for the “Moss St. Beach Access Improvements.” The disparity in communication raises concerns about whether the City truly wants residents informed about such a significant financial undertaking.
Furthermore, the methodology determining these assessments, based on perceived view improvements, appears arbitrary and lacks an avenue for appeal or inquiry. This is concerning, especially considering the vast amount some residents, including myself, are expected to pay. My assessment stands at $56,000, a daunting figure, particularly for retirees like me on fixed incomes, struggling day to day to keep up with finances and inflation. I am willing to contribute some, but these assessments are outrageous.
Why, when the City boasts a $110 million budget and invests in numerous real estate ventures, can it not allocate more to projects that directly impact its residents? Notably, the City has identified Glenneyre as a vital emergency access route. The City used over $3 million in “Rule 20A” credits and is funding – entirely at City expense – the Bluebird Canyon undergrounding. Why were none of those credits used for the Woods Cove project, and why are the Bluebird Canyon residents so lucky to escape any assessments for their undergrounding (by paying nothing), but we have to pay full fare?
I acknowledge the need for contributions, but the proposed assessments are exorbitant and unequal. I would like to implore the city council to reevaluate the assessment strategy. By securing more contributions from the city and utility companies or recalculating costs to ensure equitable distribution among Woods Cove residents, we can stay true to the principles of fairness and community that Laguna Beach cherishes.
Diane Judy-Riegler, Laguna Beach
Isn’t the “PRIMARY” purpose of our property taxes, sales taxes, state taxes and local taxes to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure of our town? This process is a scam and another money grab by the City and PG&E.
If a water main breaks in North Laguna does the City assess only the surrounding geographic area where the line has to be replaced?
Why is power any different than water?
This is a Laguna Beach utility up-grade NOT a Woods Cove upgrade.
Just because you have a small number of people who want to improve their views and have the means to pay for it doesn’t give them and the City the right to burden a tiny section of the Laguna Beach Community.
The unchecked ego’s of the people deciding how much each home is to be charged is unreal and unjust.
Laguna Beach and PG&E need to come up with an alternative means to fund this project.
How about starting with Laguna Beach shelving some of their pet-peeve projects to concentrate on “INFRASTRUCTURE”; and then have PG&E upgrade “THEIR” own distribution network that they use to charge us every month.
I am sure if PG&E had to compete for our business they would be bending over backwards.
Correction…SoCal Edison, not PG&E. I’ve lived in our home in Woods Cove for 31 years but I grew up in the Bay Area where we used PG&E. Old habits are hard to break, apologies.
I’ve already paid to underground our utilities, I should not be forced to pay for yours. Using the Cities funds is exactly that, making me and others pay for your improvements. Not acceptable, I’m tired of people wanting me to pay for their school loans they took out, improvement’s to their property’s values, etc.
Why did Bluebird Canyon get undergrounding at no cost? can anyone answer that for me would appreciate it..