NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

There was heated debate over Newport Beach’s strategy for extending

flight limits at John Wayne Airport. Many residents spoke up to insist on

pushing for an airport at the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Barbara Lichman, executive director of the pro-El Toro Airport Working

Group, sharply criticized the council for what she called a failure to be

inclusive in its airport negotiations.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Council members said they still plan to bring a flight cap extension

proposal before the Orange County Board of Supervisors at its Tuesday

meeting. But they said they will make a greater effort to draw all

interested parties into the debate.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“We are somewhat nonplused that a year’s worth of discussion has gone

on with South County while the stakeholders have not bee consulted,”

Lichman said.

Dennis O’Neil fired back comments at several speakers who seemed to

criticize the city.

“There are no concessions” on El Toro, he said. “Read my lips. We’re

not working with [South County] on anything.”

WHAT HAPPENED:

Councilwoman Norma Glover pulled from the consent calendar an item

regarding the Dover Drive water main break to commend city staff for

their response to the accident.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The item -- an emergency expenditure of $155,000 for the repair of a

line that broke in late October -- was approved after comments from

council members.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I hope the citizens appreciate what a good staff we have,” Glover

said.

The break “was handled expeditiously and very professionally,” Tod

Ridgeway said. “Staff is to be commended, and the mobilization effort is

to be commended.”

Vote:

8 - 0 IN FAVOR

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council discussed the possible makeup of an advisory committee

that would help determine how to follow Measure S, the Greenlight

Initiative. Council members and Measure S advocates raised the

possibility that no committee is necessary and that staff should simply

develop recommendations for dealing with the fine points of Measure S.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The council will take up the question of the committee again at its

next meeting.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I don’t know that it’s going to be that difficult to lay down the

guidelines,” Ridgeway said. “I suggest that it isn’t.”

Phil Arst, a Measure S leader, agreed.

“The voters have given us a direction and they soundly rejected a

different direction, and we believe that’s sufficient direction for us to

proceed.”

Vote:

There was no vote

SOUNDING OFF

“We should give them three balls for a quarter, and they can throw

them at us.” -- Mayor John Noyes, reacting to a series of speakers who

had sharp words for the council.

NEXT MEETING

Dec. 11, 7 p.m., Council Chambers, 3300 Newport Blvd.