CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

City Council members approved a $221,500 program that will involve the

city’s residents in the pending update of Newport Beach’s general plan.

WHAT IT MEANS:

A citywide festival, neighborhood workshops, a general plan advisory

committee and a telephone survey will allow residents to tell city

officials about their visions for the city’s future. The program, which

is expected to take several months, will precede the actual general plan

update. Including technical studies, the entire process is expected to

cost around $1 million and will last about two years. With Councilman

Gary Proctor absent from the meeting due to illness, Councilman John

Heffernan voted against the move.

Vote: 5/0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council members voted to spend $13,176 to lease four electric cars.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The cars will form part of the city’s fleet of 20 electric vehicles.

While Councilman Steve Bromberg asked whether higher electricity rates

made electric cars more expensive than gasoline-powered ones, city

officials said that Newport Beach was actually saving $15,000 and charged

the car’s batteries during the night.

The city also saved about $300,000 by buying the electric cars. That’s

how much gasoline vehicles would have cost the city. The money for the

electric cars came from state funds as well as an air quality management

agency to promote cleaner air.

Vote: 6/0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council members approved a lot line adjustment for a proposed duplex

on Bayside Drive in Corona del Mar.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The development, adamantly opposed by neighbors, will include

expanding a private driveway within public right-of-way to provide access

to the new homes. Councilman Heffernan opposed the move.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“What this is about is money.” Councilman Steve Bromberg, commenting

on opposition from neighbors. The two houses next to the proposed duplex

are up for sale.

Vote: 5/0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council members approved a 10-year management agreement for the

Newport Theatre Arts Center.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The Friends of the Newport Theatre Arts Center, who have put on

productions at the 90-seat theater for over two decades, are now formally

in charge of managing the center.

After members of a children’s theater company complained that they

couldn’t use the city-owned theater as well, city officials decided to

set aside three two-week periods per year for outside groups.

Vote: 6/0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

SOUNDING OFF

“Annexation [of Newport Coast] means a profound change in the

character of Newport Beach. Our votes will be diluted by a huge

population with no interest in our bay and beaches, and most of whom will

probably be opposed to an airport at El Toro. . . . The proposal before

you is a waste of money. It doesn’t show you are listening to the people

if you ask them obvious questions with obvious answers.” -- Allan Beek,

community activist. Beek opposed the $221,500 program to involve

residents in the general plan update.

NEXT MEETING

April 24, 7 p.m., City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.