Laguna Woods to repeal portion of solicitation ordinance

The Laguna Woods City Council has taken steps to repeal a portion of its solicitation for money ordinance as it pertains to location.

It approved the first of two readings of the proposed ordinance.

Mayor Cynthia Conners says the city’s ordinance had banned the solicitation of money in certain areas. But a federal court in Sacramento had ruled soliciting for money is considered restricted free speech.

She says the Council had originally approved the ordinance because it wanted to ban the aggressive behaviors of those who solicit for money. But since soliciting in a threatening manner is illegal anyway, the Council agreed to repeal the ordinance.

In other business, Conners is inviting the public and their licensed dogs to the city’s grand opening of its new dog park on Saturday at nine in the morning. The park is located on Ridge Route between Avenida De La Carlotta and Moulton Parkway.

She says instead of a ribbon cutting ceremony, there will be dog leash cutting ceremony.