The City Attorney is appointed by the City Council to serve as the City of Laguna Woods’ primary legal counsel. The City Attorney takes direction from the City Council and works closely with the City Manager.
In addition to providing legal representation for the City of Laguna Woods, the City Attorney’s Office advises the City Council and City of Laguna Woods personnel on official business and is responsible for preparing, reviewing, and approving the form of ordinances, agreements, and other instruments.
The City Manager is appointed by the City Council to serve as the City of Laguna Woods’ chief executive officer responsible for overseeing daily operations and implementing the City Council’s direction and policy. All City of Laguna Woods employees are hired and work under the ultimate authority of the City Manager.
In addition to providing organizational oversight and development, the City Manager’s Office works closely with the City Attorney’s Office; facilitates public and inter-governmental relations; manages long-range planning and special projects; and, coordinates public safety services.
The City Clerk is appointed by the City Manager to serve as the City of Laguna Woods’ local elections official and custodian of records. The City Clerk implements state laws pertaining to legislative and recordkeeping functions, including the Political Reform Act, Public Records Act, and Ralph M. Brown Act.
The City Clerk’s Office also operates City Hall’s front counter, provides notary public and acknowledgement services, responds to public records requests, and manages the local government television channel.
The Administrative Services Department is responsible for finance, accounting, purchasing, payroll, human resources, and information technology functions, as well as insurance and workers’ compensation programs.
The City Treasurer’s Office is part of the Administrative Services Department with investment-related responsibilities set forth in state law, the Laguna Woods Municipal Code, and City Council policy.
The Engineering & Infrastructure Services Department is responsible for the operation, maintenance, construction, and improvement of public property. In addition to City Hall, the Public Library Building, and the three public parks, the Engineering & Infrastructure Services Department’s purview includes public streets, sidewalks, traffic signals, streetlights, transit shelters, drainage systems, and landscaping
The Planning & Environmental Services Department is responsible for functions related to private construction and the built environment, including planning, building, economic development, and code enforcement, as well as resource conservation, water quality (stormwater), and waste and recycling.
The Public Safety Services Department includes law enforcement and animal control and shelter services, for which the City of Laguna Woods contracts with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and City of Laguna Beach, respectively. Other public safety agreements and emergency management functions are also included in the Public Safety Services Department, as are liaison activities with the Orange County Fire Authority (a joint powers authority of which the City of Laguna Woods is a member) and County of Orange-contracted 9-1-1 emergency ambulance services.
