Area 5 Flood Control Basin Memorandum of Understanding

On August 12, 2026, the Laguna Woods City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Golden Rain Foundation of Laguna Woods to allow the City to operate, maintain, and construct certain improvements at the Area 5 Flood Control Basin, which could potentially include Statewide Trash Provisions-related capital improvements, although no specific capital improvements were proposed or approved as part of the approval of the memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding is related to the City’s ongoing efforts to develop a Statewide Trash Provisions compliance approach that: 1. Does not require private property owners to construct, operate, or maintain their own capital improvements, or pay new fees or charges for the City to do so; and 2. Leverages existing storm drain infrastructure for compliance, thereby avoiding or reducing the need for disruptive activities such as the excavation of portions of El Toro Road or Moulton Parkway to construct underground treatment devices. The memorandum of understanding will assist staff in finalizing a Statewide Trash Provisions compliance approach and developing potential, future capital improvement projects for City Council consideration. The memorandum of understanding is envisioned to be long-term, initially running through June 30, 2060, with the potential for mutually agreed upon extensions thereafter. During the term of the memorandum of understanding, the Golden Rain Foundation will remain the owner of the Area 5 Flood Control Basin and the City will be responsible for operation and maintenance thereof. The City’s obligations will include, but not be limited to, landscaping, irrigation, and ensuring compliance with both agreements for drainage encumbrance affecting the Area 5 Flood Control Basin. Landscaping and irrigation responsibilities will include the vegetated fence that runs parallel to the eastbound El Toro Road sidewalk.