Edward Bayuk

“Yes. I support Measure E’s term limits, and Laguna should study an election system in which a council candidate must receive more than 50 percent of the vote, with a runoff if no candidate reaches that threshold. We should examine Seal Beach’s model and other options, including the costs and effects of district elections, before deciding what fits Laguna. Councilmembers make decisions that affect the whole community. Residents deserve an open discussion and a vote on any proposed change.”

Written response · answer only

“My minimum acceptable outcome is 24-hour emergency care that accepts ambulances, together with inpatient acute care in Laguna Beach. Providence’s recent agreement to study a smaller hospital is a step, but it is not a commitment to provide one. If Providence will not preserve those services, the City should seek another qualified operator and evaluate acquiring the property, including whether “eminent domain” is lawful and justified for this public purpose regarding public safety and public health. Any appraisal and financial analysis must account for necessary building and seismic upgrades. Residents should see the options, costs, and deadlines. I do not want a study or a reassuring announcement to become a substitute for an enforceable outcome. Providence Hospital recent channel 7 ABC announcement was obvious a public relations announcement in an Election year because of bad press of the two past public meeting with city residents and the obvious intentions of the hospital.”

Written response · answer only

“Yes. I want one public accounting covering the temporary closure, staff time, SWA and other consultants, construction drawings, contracts, change orders, legal expenses, lost parking revenue, funding sources, approval dates, and ongoing maintenance. It should explain the decisions and costs associated with removing and replacing the Forest Avenue trees. I also want the City to identify when it first learned of the trees’ root and health problems and what could have been discovered before construction. Common sense should have realized if you dig up the whole street you would lose most of the trees hence why Ocean and Beach redevelopment should not happen now after learning a sad serious lesson from Forest Avenue construction. Finally, residents deserve a clear explanation of the timing, necessity, and approval of the approximately $325,000 in additional SWA drawing costs that I have questioned.”

Written response · answer only

“I oppose a special tax on restaurants. They serve residents throughout the year and should not bear the City’s visitor costs alone. I would review parking meter rates, enforcement, and locations, particularly in heavily visited beach areas, so visitors contribute more directly. I would also explore two transferable guest parking permits for each eligible household in affected residential areas, subject to a workable program and protection against misuse. The City should publish an estimate of tourism-related public costs and show how much additional parking revenue these changes could reasonably produce.”

Written response · answer only

“Yes. Laguna should hold a real neighborhood wildfire-evacuation exercise by August 2027. It should test phone alerts, outdoor warning systems, evacuation routes, blocked roads, and assistance for residents who need help. We should verify how warnings and communications function during a power outage, then publish what the exercise teaches us. I also want a public accounting of the approximately $850,000 I understand was spent on the emergency operations facility at the Community and Recreation Center. The City should explain why that investment was chosen and compare its capabilities and costs with a fully operational “mobile command center” that could operate where an emergency occurs or could be moved anywhere in the city North Laguna, South Laguna, Top of The World. Taxpayers deserve to see the operational reasons for the choice.”

Written response · answer only

“Before supporting a new tax or fee, I would propose postponing approximately $500,000 of discretionary Ocean Avenue and Beach Street streetscape work, subject to identifying what remains uncommitted. Residents would wait for some visual and pedestrian upgrades; I would preserve essential safety and accessibility work. I have urged Public Works to study Seal Beach’s Main Street tree planters(triple in size) and level sidewalks (no tripping hazards) before Laguna repeats designs that may create maintenance or trip hazards on Ocean and Beach development project. I also want stronger financial oversight by staff with “accounting expertise” and a clearer review of project bids. If a first round of bids is unreasonable, the City should consider revising the scope and bidding again where practical. A proper city audit committee needs to have at least one person with accounting background to operate correctly.”

Written response · answer only

“I would be proudest if residents could say the City had become more transparent about its finances and decisions, repaired essential infrastructure, and protected Laguna’s character. That requires reliable records, careful spending, and listening before making lasting changes. Open-space issues affect more than Laguna Canyon. They include areas throughout the City, including the litigation involving the Dorin Investment Group after its reported purchase of approximately 11 lots near the Rim Rock Canyon area in November 2022. Because of the complexity and sensitivity of these matters, I recommend that the City consider hiring independent, outside investigators with relevant federal investigative and forensic-computer expertise. Their role would be to conduct an impartial audit of electronic records and decision-making processes across appropriate City departments, including Planning and Community Development and, if legally authorized and necessary, the Police Department. The purpose would not be to presume wrongdoing or target any individual. It would be to determine whether records were altered, whether required procedures were followed, and whether any misuse of authority, conflicts of interest, or inappropriate “quid pro quo”, arrangements occurred in the past or are occurring now. Any investigation should be conducted under clear legal safeguards, with appropriate protection for confidential information and a public report of its findings. If I am not elected, I fear that piecemeal decisions could change downtown and our neighborhoods beyond recognition while sewer and fire-safety needs remain unresolved. I am hopeful that emerging technologies of fire-detection, communications, and firefighting tools will help protect homes and open space. We should evaluate those tools carefully and work toward making Laguna safer and more insurable, without assuming that technology alone can eliminate wildfire risk. At the same time, we should not allow fear to drive our decisions, because fear can lead to rushed or misguided choices. Laguna needs thoughtful, fact-based decisions that protect residents without sacrificing sound judgment.”

Written response · answer only