[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6559299,"mediaKeyId","3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288","parentId",3207693,"title","Dana Point presents balanced operating budgets and multi‑year CIP, council asks for tech and performance metrics","audioSeconds",735,"startMs",11217000,"endMs",11952000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288&start=11217&end=11952","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288/thumbnail_11217000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6559299/Dana-Point/Orange-County/California/Dana-Point-presents-balanced-operating-budgets-and-multiyear-CIP-council-asks-for-tech-and-performance-metrics","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559299-2c4e45b29e795f128179071ed6e6b0d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197458&Signature=k5Ch~tAYH3Zba5CqQ1-JTeTMLCgrOsBDf42oyvEhGxlD04PK5V-FYARrSzd2IXU07uPgwDPIMr0GLNsXLMepgGyJjnDJ6ldA4MVToxasDA~GANxSHpX78h-HwahuHvtS-5ol627tO2rCrw9gpjC652cGWgltEsenATa8BvYBpS27ZgmB93vOFlTNCfA2lrwoK7ebLMXUZjTJuauQcpbUhPk-OEqMML4VbMOYEmP2boof9uDhMUvzEIq3BpDpAZJv~pS~mCszLaNGI6h-zJDHk2LfDLRnxSlotkIIAEvoLFKdEcv3aqAfcdpoCsPvKUGlMIZBL6PGDX2kCLK3iiD4mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council Meetings 2025","date","2025-05-07T15:32:20Z","article","Dana Point officials presented the proposed operating budgets and capital improvement program (CIP) for fiscal years 2025‑26 and 2026‑27 at the May 6 council meeting, reporting modest projected surpluses and fully funded reserves per city policy.

Administrative Services Director C. Shelton told the council general‑fund revenues are estimated at about $51.4 million for fiscal year 2026 and $52.7 million for fiscal year 2027, with expenditures of roughly $47.2 million (FY26) and $48.7 million (FY27) before transfers. After transfers, staff projected small surpluses — approximately $200,000 in FY26 and $100,000 in FY27 — and said the city’s unassigned fund balance would remain above the council’s 7% policy target.

Shelton highlighted major revenue sources: transient occupancy tax (TOT) projected at $17.4 million for FY26 (reflecting hotel reopenings and recovery), property tax projected at $12.4 million, and sales tax estimated at roughly $7 million. She said the FY26 budget assumes continued hotel operations and noted temporary closures or renovations that affected recent TOT receipts.

On expenditures, materials and services account for the largest share of general fund spending — in part due to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department contract, which Shelton identified as almost half of materials and services and budgeted at $16.6 million for FY26. Personnel costs were budgeted at roughly $12.4 million (68 full‑time positions), a net decrease from FY25 due to a one‑time CalPERS payment in FY25; ongoing personnel cost increases were described as driven by wages, benefits and pension costs.

The council also reviewed a two‑year CIP total of $14.9 million for FY26‑27 that includes ongoing road programs, the Doheny Village connectivity improvements, park facility upgrades and HVAC and roof work at City Hall and the community center. Shelton noted prior community investment funds were rolled into unassigned fund balance under a revised CIP funding policy.

Council members praised staff for the budgeting work and asked for additional emphasis on technology and performance metrics tied to the strategic plan. Several councilors urged staff to prioritize user‑facing process improvements (permitting, customer service) and measures that track time city records spend ‘at city hall’ versus time beyond staff control, so the city can measure and improve internal process efficiency. Shelton said technology needs are budgeted but staff may return with specific software or support requests as projects are firmed.

Next steps: staff will incorporate council direction and return June 3 for the budget hearing and adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting: May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Finance staff outlined proposed general‑fund operating budgets of $51.4 million (FY26) and $52.7 million (FY27), small structural surpluses, and a $14.9 million two‑year capital improvement program. Councilors emphasized technology investment, performance measures and customer‑service metrics.","taxTitle","Dana Point, Orange County, California","taxId",52415,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559304,"Residents urge Dana Point to oppose nearby battery storage project, cite firefighter and health risks",168,3477000,3645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288&start=3477&end=3645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288/thumbnail_3477000.jpg","/articles/6559304/Dana-Point/Orange-County/California/Residents-urge-Dana-Point-to-oppose-nearby-battery-storage-project-cite-firefighter-and-health-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559304-eada4a762bb37ad34761ba381fc028a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197458&Signature=cCtdNO5SLruJZjdreFNqWX0xPA~Tat8OWsydW5FXSyPaB8dGmgAyGDZn14wR83pxhffIO86wD5bqm5PyaLYa1nI~s8mbbGhQUOfRrEVRstVGoyBVIYZyOgxQ6p1zjwEUqJ9Nx6U70OzLGhEm2mTQACdEgYZey-GCnMy-pcpB0haP1X9Z96085gvOyjFAv~0-ThBN~GMCpgNKAuxq~zOAEKII10x9Rg0BJOTYqC26NOCIJohQCx2VX0MSe8cpexD4usrdcA0DqQkhg~1bVuQgaCrkkgqAjPSoPo~Uyr9R2WLt4BFB4Ah4Ajd5dfoKHsFsWGTsIlHXA-xAYqWSMmEB5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents at the May 6 Dana Point City Council meeting urged the city to speak out publicly and join neighboring cities that are objecting to proposed battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities in South County, citing firefighter safety, toxic emissions and environmental risks.

Mary Herron opened the public comment on the topic, describing risks she attributed to lithium‑ion battery fires — thermal runaway, chain reactions, explosive gases such as hydrogen, long‑burning fires requiring large volumes of water, and toxic combustion products including hydrogen fluoride and other hazardous gases. Herron referenced firefighter injuries in a McMicken, Arizona, incident and urged the council to “speak out and inform Dana Point citizens” and to coordinate with Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente, which she said were already resisting such projects.

Michelle Morgan, a Dana Point resident and business owner, echoed those concerns and described additional combustion byproducts she said could arise from burning batteries and associated infrastructure. She urged the council to notify residents, attend county board of supervisors hearings and to press state authorities. Michael Kelly and other speakers also urged local officials to oppose the facilities and warned of long‑term health and environmental impacts.

Council members and the city attorney cautioned they could not take action on items not listed on the posted agenda but acknowledged the comments and spoke about the limits of council authority. Several speakers urged the city to be proactive in public outreach and in coordination with neighboring municipalities and county officials.

No formal council action on the battery storage topic occurred at the meeting; the record shows public comment and requests that the council raise the issue with the county and regional partners.","Several Dana Point residents addressed the council during public comment raising safety, toxic‑emission and environmental concerns about proposed/nearby battery energy storage facilities and urged the council to join neighboring cities in opposing them and to notify the public.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559308,"Council approves Mills Act historic‑preservation agreements for two Capistrano Beach properties",201,6609000,6810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288&start=6609&end=6810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288/thumbnail_6609000.jpg","/articles/6559308/Dana-Point/Orange-County/California/Council-approves-Mills-Act-historicpreservation-agreements-for-two-Capistrano-Beach-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559308-ee73bbc1b83279a2568bc823f82d6cd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197458&Signature=gaF6MsTU~r6ZaRondGGK0CXQRtsxgKOaIDtEy04j6AF9eZQ3ZrsM-Qqg8sppVk0SC1ootH53oaeNtA3luLdQ6dhknvNQ2-QSqfzfHnBY2LTDyrnWa2yNhUho6WeKIQafoa6985~bhtPlT1kqKcWSX2MnDe9HofbA12Asb~WgMItJ1m34z0~0i~xsHH1KrOEtfgrOj2hDPjohCET09xbRGaGBLXA00IwLp9ts-mqkj5dUuFsGpbccMUMSxvwucf8DKYsa6ASZPw1IMgWE2qfbQe4ImYL2WROz8GTrZ3fHyHPicfbxXg~sWhaCQ9L0KvKnxp7mprUGBMDpQjldK-c-Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dana Point City Council on May 6 voted to allow two Capistrano Beach properties to enter the state Mills Act historic preservation program.

Staff said the first property, at 26805 Calle Real, is a 1929 single‑story Spanish Colonial Revival residence identified in the city’s historic inventory and previously added to the city’s historic register. The staff report described exterior stucco, deep‑set wood windows, exposed wood ceilings and original tile roofs as character‑defining features that support Mills Act eligibility.

The second property, 34862 Coast Highway — known historically as the Swallows Motel and recently rehabilitated as El Caminante Bar and Bungalows — was also found eligible. Staff told the council the property retains design features associated with the motor‑inn era and has documented ties to regional hospitality history; staff noted the recent rehabilitation complied with the Secretary of the Interior’s standards and that the planning commission added the site to the city’s historic register earlier in 2024.

Under the Mills Act, qualifying owners enter a contract with the city and the state program in exchange for property tax relief tied to agreed maintenance and restoration obligations. Staff explained the program typically provides significant property tax savings intended to finance continued maintenance and preservation of historic structures.

Council members praised the owners and the restorations. The council approved the resolutions to enter both properties into the Mills Act program by voice votes. Staff will finalize the Mills Act contracts with the property owners following standard city practice.","The council authorized Mills Act agreements for 26805 Calle Real, a 1929 Doheny‑era house, and 34862 Coast Highway (El Caminante Bar and Bungalows / formerly Swallows Motel), recognizing both properties as eligible for historic preservation tax incentive participation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559313,"Dana Point renews Tourism Business Improvement District, no written protests filed",250,6146000,6396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288&start=6146&end=6396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288/thumbnail_6146000.jpg","/articles/6559313/Dana-Point/Orange-County/California/Dana-Point-renews-Tourism-Business-Improvement-District-no-written-protests-filed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559313-70ed5030c5f80539da17332185379198/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197458&Signature=FyStfXnYK12-4nl4rgSY2XJ~m7N2HJoh-yLarEnuyccBrkmbw~szIIu2LmcvqVSmoq-DNly7LKjb9w7kuU~pnU5Z3GQVLQG3HrhHhfa2NKPc3CdJUXoXwlzILCIerAR0Gy9vTbUAGw4GzUuZ0HzNdINjdpaCGptvXxtpiXs9jEH9Rqfuqhx-rt1R94T8AjSbvCchuC6stliuifz~k5UDaW3z~PLnhEO15sAPHD0KA5dICPFlBSs9k7iYZfy1HMfym1kZqFHx2t4IVE39CuLsQq5GDcf6doFhDYRYdYlXA-EnIbjG8ZGBb28TIvRtUGF-oo05EyBU-wRHW~sjMzMKeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dana Point’s City Council on May 6 completed the final step to renew the Dana Point Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), approving formation and an operating agreement to continue transferring TBID funds to Visit Dana Point for marketing and promotional activities.

Staff reported they received no written protests to the renewal. If renewed, the TBID’s operating agreement directs Visit Dana Point to prepare an annual report for council review; the staff packet included Visit Dana Point’s 2024 annual report. The council opened and closed the public hearing with no public commentary, then adopted the staff recommendation by voice vote.

The renewal preserves the TBID’s existing structure for assessing lodging businesses to fund destination sales and marketing. The council did not identify changes to assessment rates or spending categories during the meeting.","After a public hearing with no speakers, the council renewed the Dana Point Tourism Business Improvement District and authorized an operating agreement with Visit Dana Point to manage marketing funded by the TBID.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559318,"Dana Point council authorizes limited new short‑term rental permits, approves Deckard monitoring contract",2303,7380000,9683000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288&start=7380&end=9683","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3207693-3b7f04cb1ad2ccdff9c340c7f5a70288/thumbnail_7380000.jpg","/articles/6559318/Dana-Point/Orange-County/California/Dana-Point-council-authorizes-limited-new-shortterm-rental-permits-approves-Deckard-monitoring-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559318-a04f2157eb51f71b09110d7ee41b42d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197458&Signature=de44TiM8mzx9DFDZ30~jmgMs~iUJq2pMQEEtLVKsf9rOaptPcmKNXWWxSSYGWa0A8jAXL88JHR4hFBTga8py5Q9SUyuK1sJSkYkgAeGnnu9GAm4340zb3tJ0A56trlw3D0DgAxb0eY6PVshyg0vP~P-H5pp04tAVNFgAbwtQ334FatbcPaICzptLNawzXgx7cdnW6S53VT1UQeF9HwJg7Kn3hRm4mQhPpbfDIkQrWoiCKoS1YGlor~LeSbShL9yAscP9NskJnY1GgS-S3iv0ai3svqHcfJDTQ9k~seF7lNnw0NY3OoyqxqZwgQCbL6hdmfRUbmCfpZhS7p~X9uneJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dana Point City Council on May 6 authorized staff to issue 15 short‑term rental permits outside the coastal zone and directed the city manager to enter a contract with Deckard Technologies to improve monitoring of online advertisements and transient‑occupancy‑tax (TOT) reporting.

The action follows a staff update on the city’s short‑term rental (STR) program and a lengthy public comment period in which residents of the Ritz Point gated community urged the city to enforce master‑association rules that they say prohibit rentals of less than 30 days.

City planning manager John Ciampa and code‑enforcement staff told the council the city has phased the STR program since 2023, with separate caps for inside and outside the coastal zone. Staff reported 96 active permits inside the coastal zone and 59 outside, for a total of 155 active permits against a program cap of 130 inside the zone and a phased cap system overall. Staff recommended issuing 15 permits from the wait list outside the coastal zone (a mix of homestay, primary and multifamily homestay permits), maintaining the nonprimary (investor) wait list, and pursuing a Deckard Technologies contract to detect illegal advertising and assist TOT auditing.

Residents from the Corniche Master Association and the Monarch Hills condominium subassociation described what they said were hundreds of rule violations in their gated community and asked the council to approve a Coastal Development Permit filed by the Corniche Master Association that would impose a 30‑day rental minimum across the master association. Dalita Cobold, president of the Corniche Master Association, said the master CC&Rs were recorded before subassociation documents and therefore govern rentals across the gated community. Other speakers, including Brandon Spruill and Joseph Jager, urged the city to honor the master association’s CDP application and to vacate existing STR permits they called “illegal.” City staff and the city attorney cautioned the council that the CDP would follow a separate process (planning commission review and potential appeals to the council) and that comments received tonight could not substitute for that noticed process.

Ciampa told the council the city’s enforcement program has improved coordination among community development, code enforcement and the sheriff’s department, and that a third‑party monitoring effort has aided enforcement. Staff described a two‑week Deckard trial that identified 16 suspected violations and resulted in three citations. Deckard’s tools include daily scraping of public listings across platforms, image‑similarity checks and time‑of‑day ad tracking to surface ads that are modified to evade detection.

Council members debated whether to grant staff broader authority to issue permits without returning to council each time. After discussion about data needs and enforcement capacity, the council approved the staff‑recommended issuance of 15 permits and authorized the Deckard contract and annual reporting, while directing staff to allow nonprimary permits to continue to decline through attrition rather than proactively issuing new nonprimary investor permits. The motion passed on a voice vote, 4–1.

The council also asked staff for ongoing updates: an annual February report and an additional late‑summer (September/October) status update on complaints, violation breakdowns by permit type, and TOT audit results produced with Deckard’s data. Council members said they expect additional audit work comparing Deckard’s detected bookings against TOT remittances and that staff retain authority to revoke permits that accrue multiple substantiated violations (the municipal code allows permit revocation after three violations).

The council emphasized that enforcement remains complaint‑driven but that the city now has more proactive tools to find unpermitted listings and to audit TOT remittances. Staff said the next formal program update will be in February 2026, with more frequent operational reports anticipated.

Votes at a glance: City Council approved issuing 15 permits outside the coastal zone (mixture of homestay, primary and multifamily homestay), authorized the city manager to contract with Deckard Technologies, and directed staff to continue annual reporting. The council preserved the nonprimary cap and will allow nonprimary permits to decline through attrition.","The City Council approved issuing 15 short‑term rental permits outside the coastal zone, authorized a contract with Deckard Technologies for ad and TOT monitoring, and maintained limits on investor (nonprimary) rentals after a public hearing that included a contested Coastal Development Permit (CDP) filing by the Corniche Master Association.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dana Point presents balanced operating budgets and multi‑year CIP, council asks for tech and performance metrics

Residents urge Dana Point to oppose nearby battery storage project, cite firefighter and health risks

Council approves Mills Act historic‑preservation agreements for two Capistrano Beach properties

Dana Point renews Tourism Business Improvement District, no written protests filed

Dana Point council authorizes limited new short‑term rental permits, approves Deckard monitoring contract