NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL MEETING WRAP-UP

-- Compiled by June Casagrande

SIGNS WON’T CHANGE YET

WHAT HAPPENED

Signs announcing things such as beach access and neighborhood borders

require a closer look before the city issues any contracts, council

members decided Tuesday. An $86,200 contract with design firm Hunt

Associates was shot down after Mayor Gary Adams pointed out that the firm

should have a licensed civil engineer and special insurance to protect

the city from traffic liability. Council members nixed the agenda item to

approve the contract and made a motion to instead revisit the issue at a

later meeting.

VOTE: 7-0

WHAT IT MEANS: Most council members agreed the city’s signs need an

overhaul, but how, when and by whom must be determined at a subsequent

council meeting.

ADDED PUBLIC WORKS INSPECTORS

WHAT HAPPENED: Agreeing that the city’s three full-time

construction inspectors have more work than they can do, the city

approved a $75,000 contract with Quantum Consulting to help inspect the

16 or so construction projects now underway in the city and about 25 more

expected by July.

The contract with Quantum is the first step in relieving this

workload. Quantum will provide an inspector to oversee rehabilitation of

Newport and Balboa piers.

VOTE: 7-0

WHAT TO EXPECT: Staff will begin looking for another inspector to

handle the impending workload.

MARINE AVENUE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

WHAT HAPPENED: Council members reviewed operations of the Marine

Avenue Business Improvement District with an eye toward activities and

budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The 6-year-old district includes the

200 and 300 blocks of Marine Avenue. Some of its recent accomplishments

including reprinting in full color a Balboa Island brochure and putting

up Christmas decorations and lighting to boost holiday shopping along

Marine Avenue on a budget of about $23,000.

NEXT MEETING

* WHAT: Newport Beach City Council meeting

* WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 27

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