Editor’s note: If you have a question about a city issue—or a suggestion for filing a Public Records Act request—email Associate Editor Charles M. Kelly at editor2@sunnews.org.
Local mandates lift in Leisure World
A few communities are keeping their masking and meeting rules in place. But that is changing. Seal Beach City Council held its first in-person meeting on Monday. The Planning Commission is likely to follow soon. (The city of Avalon, on Catalina Island, is holding virtual meetings for the foreseeable future, according to Avalon City Attorney Scott Campbell.)
Leisure World Seal Beach masking mandates were lifted on Tuesday, March 22, according to a recent LWSB.com email. Residents will no longer be required to wear masks at Golden Rain Foundation meetings or in official Leisure World buildings.
“Residents and employees are no longer required to wear masks in Leisure World, but the GRF supports the recommendation that masks are strongly encouraged,” according to the unsigned email.
“Those who elect to wear masks shall, under no circumstances, experience retaliation from co-workers or residents. It is the expectation that individual preferences be respected and supported for either choice,” according to the email.
Redistricting is done
The council on Monday, March 28, formally adopted the existing council district map as the “new” map of Seal Beach districts.
“At its meeting on March 14, 2022, the City Council approved the introduction of Ordinance 1693 of the City of Seal Beach Re-Adopting the Current City Council District Map as the New Official City Council Distract Map of the Boundaries of City Council Election Districts based on the Results of the 2020 U.S. Census,” according to the staff by City Clerk Gloria Harper.
The map will remain in effect until at least the next U.S. Census.
The November election hasn’t been officially called and won’t be until summer.
No one has officially declared their candidacy.
Three council seats will be in play in November 2022: District One (Old Town and Surfside), District Three (Hill, Coves, Bridgeport and Heron Pointe), and District Five (Leisure World).
District One is the red zone in the map. District Three is the green zone. District Five is the purple zone.
District Three Councilman Mike Varipapa and District Five Councilwoman Sandra Massa-Lavitt have termed out. Council members are currently limited to two back-to-back terms.
They would have to sit out at least one four-year term before they could run again.
If you’re not sure which district you live in, first check the map on this page.
If you live near the border of a council district, you might want to email City Clerk Gloria Harper at gharper@sealbeachca.gov. Just to be sure.
Leisure World concert to help Ukrainian refugees
Leisure World will host a “We Stand With Ukraine” concert at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 2, to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees.
The performers will be opera professionals, according to the lwsb.com email announcing the event.
The event is for Leisure World residents and their guests.
The concert will be held at Clubhouse 4 at 1419 Northwood Rd.
Leisure World is a private, gated community. Only residents and authorized guests are allowed.
The concert is sponsored by the Korean American Classical Music Academy.
Organizers apparently prefer that checks be made out to UNICEF for Ukrainian Refugees.
For drop-off information, email kathyt@lwsb.com.
Tree Advisory Board
meeting canceled
The Seal Beach Tree Advisory Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 6, has been canceled due to a lack of business, according to a notice of cancelation posted on the city website.
Housing Element update: no news
The city government is still waiting for the state to certify the Housing Element of the city’s General Plan.
“We submitted the Element to the Department of Housing and Community Development on February 9th and receipt was acknowledged by our assigned analyst, but we have not yet received anything back with regards to certification,” wrote Community Development Director Alexa Smittle in a March 28 email.
