The number of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in the Village has increased from 511 in 2022 to 670 in 2023. This trend is expected to continue and, with it, the impacts to our infrastructure.

The Village, built in the ’60s and ’70s, did not anticipate such a demand for electricity. Carports and underground garages were constructed with common-area outlets rated at 120 volts and 20-amp circuits mainly to charge golf carts. Electric vehicles can still charge at these outlets, but there are some limitations for this convenience as outlined in the electric vehicle letter (bit.ly/3uxaGFb) attached to every electric vehicle charging permit and available on the Laguna Woods Village website.

Staff works hard to ensure the electrical circuits and outlets are operating properly; however, when too many vehicles/golf carts plug into the same circuit, the breakers will trip. Should this occur, please contact Resident Services (949-597-4600; residentservices@vmsinc.org) to request a breaker reset. Staff will make every effort to respond to such calls as quickly as possible, but it may take up to two business days depending on workload and priorities.

Note that the electric vehicle charging stations (operated by ChargePoint) at the Laguna Woods Village Community Center (24351 El Toro Road) are open 24/7/365 for your convenience and offer reduced rates for members. The charging stations offer four Level 2 ports and three Level 3 (fast chargers) ports.

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The Department of Maintenance and Construction town hall meeting with the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) regarding asbestos and the manor remodeling process, originally scheduled for Thursday, February 22, has been postponed by AQMD.

Village Management Services, the City of Laguna Woods and AQMD are working to secure a new date, and the town hall will be rescheduled soon.

For any comments and questions, email manoralterationsfeedback@vmsinc.org.

VMS will continue to update the community with more information regarding this event.

The Moulton Museum and the Laguna Woods History Center partnered to kick off the Village’s 60^th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday, January 23, at the History Center. Mid-century artifacts were unveiled for the first time, offering a unique glimpse into the transformation of ranch land into the vibrant community residents cherish today. The event started with a talk by Jared Mathis, president of the Moulton Museum and great-grandson of Nellie Gail and Lewis Moulton, who spoke briefly on the history behind the generations of family who worked the ranchland the Village now occupies.

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There’s nothing more off-putting than encountering dog poop during a walk or finding it on your lawn. Besides simply being a good neighbor, there are many reasons why dog owners must always pick up after their pooches:

Why Scoop That Poop

• It’s the law—many urban and suburban areas require it.
• It can contaminate groundwater.
• It may contain harmful organisms such as Giardia, Salmonella and E. coli that can be transmitted to humans and other animals.
• It may contain roundworms and hookworms (deposited by infected animals) that can live in the soil for long periods and transmit to humans and other animals.
• It can attract rodents.
• It’s the right thing to do!

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On Monday, January 29, at Clubhouse 5 from 5 to 7 p.m., join the Informational Joint Replacement Expo, during which MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center joint replacement surgeons and the clinical team will shed light on common joint conditions and treatments for knees, hips, shoulders and ankles.

The event will also feature a live demonstration of MemorialCare’s latest joint replacement technology, the Mako® Robotic-Arm, keynote lectures from their physicians and information about at-home exercises designed to reduce fall risk and maintain strong muscles and joints.

Attendees will receive a co-branded MemorialCare-Angels baseball hat and have the opportunity to meet retired pitcher Chuck Finley. Also, enjoy healthy snacks and soft drinks before the event.

To register, visit memorialcare.org/jointexpo or call 949-424-9369.

Clubhouse 5 is located at 24262 Punta Alta.

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Resident Services staff, who continually seek ways to provide the best resident customer service possible to the community, are pleased to officially announce a new callback feature to help reduce hold times. Simply, residents who call during peak times may leave a callback telephone number as an alternative to waiting on hold and receive a return call according to their order in the telephone queue.

Launched in November, the feature not only enhances customer service but also reduces the number of callers on hold and customer frustration, and more effectively manages call traffic.

Best Times to Call/Visit Resident Services

If you can, please consider calling during off-peak hours, which are from 1 to 4 p.m., and during mid-week versus Monday morning, when call volume is the highest.

In addition, you can always schedule an appointment with Resident Services or email your questions to residentservices@vmsinc.org. 

Use the Resident Portal 

Many services offered by Resident Services can be done from the convenience of your own home. Avoid lines, save gas and time, and go online for the following:

• Register guests for daily passes and overnight parking permits 24/7/365 with dwellingLIVE at lagunawoodsvillage.com/passes or download the app at Google Play or the App Store. 
• Process credit card payments, submit service requests, check account balances, print account statements, update emergency contacts and review resident and vehicle information at portal.lagunawoodsvillage.com. 

Click here to view a step-by-step tutorial on how to use the resident portal. 

Who to Call After Hours

If you experience an issue at your manor (leak, backup, etc.) during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, call Resident Services at 949-597-4600. However, if you’re experiencing an issue after hours or on a weekend or a holiday, please call the Department of Security Services at 949-580-1400—staff will assign the appropriate resources to address your issue. 

Find frequently called Laguna Woods Village phone numbers at lagunawoodsvillage.com/contact.

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Village residents have the flexibility to create visitor day or overnight parking passes (OPP) without having to visit the gatehouse. 

But what if a guest who has a day parking pass wishes to spend the night? 

Visitors cannot change a pass’ status. Instead, residents can log in to their dwellingLIVE app and select the OPP option or call gate clearance at 949-597-4301 to request an OPP pass. 

While there is no need to reprint the parking pass after the status is changed, the resident may pick one up at any gatehouse if desired. As long as a visitor’s parking status is updated and verified in the system, they will not be subject to citation and/or a fine for violating the overnight parking ordinance. However, please remember that regardless of parking status, any visitor must display a parking pass on their vehicle’s dash while parked in the Village. This information assists officers in accurately identifying the manor with which the vehicle is associated when verifying the day pass was updated to an OPP.

Residents can create an OPP for up to two weeks. Beyond that two-week period and up to 60 days per calendar year, residents must contact gate clearance or Resident Services (residentservices@vmsinc.org, 949-597-4600). 

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Although we all enjoy a protected sense of security inside the gates of Laguna Woods Village, our community sees many visitors. With the increased activity comes an increase in petty theft. Residents have reported items stolen from carports, open patios and even from some of the garden plots. 

The first defense is to keep valuable possessions, especially bicycles, golf accessories and garden tools, secured and out of sight. It can’t be a temptation if no one knows where you have stored it. If you notice irregular behavior from individuals you do not recognize, call Security Dispatch at 949-580-1400.

Our Security Department has a strong partnership with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which allows for effective sharing of information regarding increased theft activity in the Village. Security personnel encourage all community members to stay alert and remember the motto, “See Something, Say Something.” 

Taking an extra 3 or 4 seconds to secure vehicles, garages, carports and cabinets, and keeping valuables out of plain sight, will keep our Village the safest community in the region. Reduce the risk of becoming a target by taking the steps listed below to conceal and secure your property both within and outside the Village.

• Remove cell phones, cameras, laptop computers, briefcases, backpacks, wallets and purses from unattended vehicles. Do not leave giftwrapped packages or other valuable items lying on the seat. Lock all other valuables in the trunk or glove compartment, or take them with you.
• Always close your windows and lock your vehicle and garage doors.
• Secure your carport cabinets with heavy-duty locks.
• Don’t leave your vehicle in unattended parking lots for extended periods. A car is five times more likely to be stolen from an unattended lot than from the street or an attended lot.
• Never attach a tag with your name and address to your key ring. If the keys are lost or stolen, the tag will lead the thief directly to your car and home. If you have to leave your keys with a parking attendant, leave only the ignition key.
• Park your car near or under a street light at night.
• Consider adding a car alarm system. Always set your alarm if so equipped.

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