Council funds $210,000 Clean Laguna stewardship campaign after public questions on transparency

The City Council approved funding for a new Clean Laguna stewardship initiative, a year‑long visitor education and anti‑litter campaign developed with Visit Laguna Beach. Staff said the total program cost is $210,000; a $50,000 recycling education grant reduces the net city cost to about $160,000.

The program includes short videos, microsites, social media outreach, wrapped trash receptacles and a stewardship community forum designed to promote responsible visitor behavior. Joanna Baer of Visit Laguna Beach said firms were selected through an RFP process and that the chosen vendor had prior destination and narrative experience.

Several public speakers voiced support for the campaign but criticized lack of line‑item procurement detail in the staff packet. Nick Aronoff, a fourth‑generation resident, asked why roughly $86,000 is allocated for 11 videos and whether local vendors and students had opportunity to bid. "Visit Laguna Beach really needs to rebuild its credibility...there should be transparency with that and let the public know," Aronoff said.

Council members asked staff to confirm RFPs and vendor selection details; Joanna Baer said there had been a competitive solicitation and that the selected firm understood Laguna’s voice. The council approved the recommended action by voice vote.