Rounaghi PAGE 1
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Policy Advisor for Supervisor Katrina Foley , I ’ ve gained a county-wide perspective and experience navigating bureaucracy to get things done . I grew up in South Laguna , where my parents live , but now live in an apartment in North Laguna .
What elected positions and / or appointed roles have you served on in Laguna Beach , if any ? Chair , Laguna Beach Housing & Human Services Committee , 2021-present
Parking , Traffic , & Circulation Committee , 2015-2016
Why do you want to serve on the City Council ? I love this town . As a lifelong resident , I ’ m running because I have the passion , deep community roots , and relevant experience to tackle the complex challenges that our community faces and retain the uniqueness that we all love about Laguna Beach .
What are the City ’ s three biggest challenges , and what are your proposed solutions ? Public safety , particularly fire prevention . Wildfire poses an existential
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threat to Laguna Beach . Two significant fires this year affirm the need to strategically leverage all city , county , state , and federal resources to mitigate this threat . I strongly support the 2019 Fire Mitigation Plan and want to underground the utilities on Laguna Canyon Road , whose proximity to our wilderness and one of our major thoroughfares makes them an unallowable risk .
Preserving the uniqueness of Laguna , especially regarding housing and environment . Laguna ’ s small-town character , close-knit community , and natural beauty are its key features . We must ensure that our seniors , artists , and workers – the people who make Laguna what it is – can live and thrive here . We must also protect our beaches , trails , and open spaces , which face increased impacts from climate change and visitors .
Data-driven , community-engaged governance . We must make evidence-based decisions to safeguard taxpayer dollars and deliver real results for Laguna residents . I plan to implement performance-based budgeting , create a 5-year strategic plan for the City , and rely on local talent rather than wasteful consultant contracts . I want City Hall to be more strategic , efficient , and user-friendly .
What are your ideas for addressing traffic issues , parking in Laguna ?
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I am interested in advancing “ complete streets ” in Laguna . I ’ d do this by investing in zero-emissions public transit , including Laguna ’ s trolley system , which is a cultural icon of our community . I ’ d also explore creating a bus / trolley-only lane on Laguna Canyon Road , which is often heavily congested , so more visitors would park on the City ’ s periphery . We also need to explore improving our transit connection with the rest of the county to reduce the traffic impact of visitors .
I ’ d also facilitate other modalities within Laguna , like bikes and walking , and push for stricter rules around using e-bikes so that these can be a successful rather than dangerous form of mobility in the City . On that note , the safety of pedestrians and transportation riders is vital . A recent death in our community reinforces the need to create safe pedestrian crossings and lower speed limits where it makes sense .
I believe that the City must update its Circulation Element of the General Plan – which hasn ’ t been updated since 1998 – to develop a comprehensive parking , transit , circulation , and mobility strategy to improve our quality of life and reduce traffic . I also look forward to the Parking Master Plan .
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Please give your stance on Measures Q , R and S . I am against overdevelopment , but |
I ’ m generally not supportive of ballot box planning . Measure Q ( or R ) is not the answer . Land-use policies and development regulations are complicated issues that require expertise – and , at times , flexibility – which is not conducive to complex ballot initiatives . If there are any changes to be made , they must go back to the voters – which leads to many unintended consequences .
I believe in representative government , where Councilmembers make responsible land-use decisions and approve projects that meet the community ’ s needs .
Measure Q is a result of people not feeling heard by their government . If elected , I will actively listen to all stakeholders and ensure that Laguna Beach remains the unique and special place we all love .
If not elected , do you plan on staying engaged with the City ?
Before I could even vote , I joined the Parking , Traffic , & Circulation Committee in high school because I wanted to advance solutions in the community I love . I have that same desire today , regardless of whether I hold an elected office . If not elected , I will continue lending my time to this special town as a volunteer and an active participant in our public discourse .
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