COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

-- Compiled by Lolita Harper

CANOPY CHANGES

Council members tonight will review changes to the city’s ordinance

regarding automobile canopies at car dealerships, carwashes and in

residential driveways.

The council earlier postponed the canopy issue, saying it needed

better definitions of what constitutes a canopy, tarp or tent before

making changes to the existing ordinance.

Code enforcement staff has included more detailed analysis of the

technical difference between the three categories of covers and which

would be allowed in residential zones.

At previous meetings, audience members were opposed to any covers

being used in residential neighborhoods, saying they looked bad.

The Planning Commission recommended that canopies be allowed at car

dealerships and carwashes but not in residential areas. Despite the

recommendation, code enforcement staff suggested the use of canopies on

residential property if they are being used to shade cars in driveways

leading to garages.

What to expect:

The council is expected to approve preliminary changes to canopy

guidelines.

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

A resolution encouraging county officials to extend the John Wayne

Airport settlement agreement is on the agenda tonight.

The council will review it and decide whether the city will go on

record as officially supporting the extension.

The current agreement puts a cap on the number of flights at JWA and

the times for takeoffs and landings. It will expire in 2005.

What to expect:

Council members are expected to approve the resolution to support the

extension of the John Wayne Airport settlement agreement.

GENERAL FUND NET REVENUE

The city has about $2.6 million in extra revenue funds and needs to

decide how to spend it.

Council members will review the options for the use of $2,596,420,

which was reported as general fund net revenues by an independent

auditor.

The finance department is suggesting the council vote to save 35% for

next years’ budget, 50% on various capital improvement projects and 15%

on the recently identified community objectives.

Some of the recommended capital improvement projects include

decorative street lighting on 19th Street from Park to Placentia avenues,

paving of 19th Street from Anaheim to Park avenues, and the design costs

of the police department expansion.

What to expect:

The City Council is expected to approve the designated allocations.

BRISTOL STREET COMMITTEE

The council will appoint members to a committee that will oversee some

major changes along Bristol Street.

Changes are designed to improve the portion of the street between the

San Diego Freeway and Redhill Avenue by way of new requirements and

zoning standards. Seven people applied to the committee; four were local

residents and three were affected business owners.

In August, the council discussed several options for improvement. Some

ideas included creating an oversight committee and hiring a consultant.

The first order of business would be to recruit members for the

committee and, once their findings have been noted, start the bidding

process for a consultant, the report stated. A contract would then be

awarded by the council.

In addition to those appointed tonight, the committee will include

Councilman Chris Steel, Planning Commissioner Bill Perkins and Kim

Pederson of the Parks, Recreation Facilities and Parkways Commission.

What to expect:

The council is expected to appoint all seven who applied.

FYI

* WHO: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today

* WHERE: Council Chambers at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive