INSIDE CITY HALL

-- Compiled by June Casagrande

The City Council canceled its Sept. 11 meeting in response to the East

Coast terrorist attacks. That meeting’s agenda was unusually light,

meaning the council won’t have to tackle too much added business tonight

when members revisit the postponed agenda items.

NEWPORT DUNES

On the question of whether the city should take over the lease at the

Newport Dunes, the devil’s in the details. Tonight, council members will

begin to wade into these murky waters to determine whether the city can

afford the estimated $25 million to $50 million to stop a hotel from

being built there. Initial estimates suggest that revenues earned from

the property won’t be enough to make the lease payments. The council may

consider contracting with a real estate consultant to get a better grasp

of the bottom line.

WHAT TO EXPECT: It’s too early for the council to take action, but

the outcome of tonight’s study session could be an agenda item at the

next council meeting for the council to consider hiring a real estate

expert to assess the lease value.

STORM DRAIN TESTING

In response to last year’s discovery of an illness-causing virus in

storm drains emptying into Newport Bay, the council tonight will consider

a $36,179 contract with the Regents of the University of California to

test the water.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Staff members have recommended that council

authorize the contract. If the same viruses are found this year, it could

mean that sewage is leaking into storm drains and the problem will have

to be identified and corrected.

NEWPORT COAST CITIZEN COMMITTEE

A citizen committee may be formed at tonight’s council meeting to help

hammer out the details of the Newport Coast annexation. The committee

would consist of three members appointed by the council and four

appointed by resident groups. They would look at issues such as whether

to build a community center in Newport Coast and how to distribute to

residents the $18 million in tax relief that was part of the city’s

annexation agreement.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The council is expected to create the committee. If

so, Newport Coast residents could submit applications to be committee

members.

OFFICE BUILDING ADDITION

Camco Pacific Construction has requested an amendment to the general

plan for the airport area to add 15,000 feet to an office building at

1811 Quail St.

WHAT TO EXPECT: If the council follows the Planning Commission’s

lead and approves the work, the project will not trigger Greenlight

rules, which require voter approval for developments that would add more

than 40,000 square feet of floor area.

SENIOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Proposals the city has been accepting from developers to create

affordable housing for seniors seem to be falling flat of the city’s

expectations.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Staff recommended the council reject proposals that

they previously received from developers and consider other alternatives

for meeting affordable housing needs.

FYI

* WHAT: Newport Beach City Council meeting

* WHEN: 7 p.m. today

* WHERE: Newport Beach City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

* INFORMATION: (949) 644-3309