NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

-- Compiled by June Casagrande

Main Street Ficus Trees

The fate of 25 ficus trees on Balboa Peninsula hang in the balance

tonight when City Council members reconsider a decision by the Parks

Beaches and Recreation Commission. Commissioners had voted to have the

trees removed and ultimately replaced with another species that would be

less damaging to sidewalks and infrastructure.

What to expect:

Trouble. The fact that the item is before the council is evidence of

the fact that this is a contentious issue. Some residents love the trees

and think they should stay. Others agree they’ve got to go. No matter

what council members decide, someone’s going to be upset.

City Budget

Council members and the public will get their first good look at the

proposed city budget, the city’s $142.1-million spending plan for the

2002-03 fiscal year.

What to expect:

This is just the first public hearing on the budget. No real action is

required, but a lot of discussion could take place.

Newport Heights Traffic

In response to Newport Heights and Cliff Haven residents’ concerns

over traffic, the council tonight will consider whether to conduct a

study of traffic in that area.

What to expect:

If council members take the staff’s recommendation, a traffic

engineering consultant will be hired to study a wide range of issues in

the area, including traffic speeds, pedestrian concerns, cut-through

traffic and total traffic volumes. Also, they will study the three public

schools and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in the area, which have been

identified as the source of some traffic problems.

Annexations

A small handful of homes will join the list of those that can hope to

become part of Newport Beach. Residents of the Emerson/Tustin

neighborhood, which is nine parcels between Newport Beach and Costa Mesa,

convinced the Local Agency Formation Commission that they belong in

Newport, not Costa Mesa. That commission in turn has asked Newport to add

the area to the list of places the city will annex. While considering

this item, council members will also consider whether to polish some

details of the east Santa Ana Heights annexation.

What to expect:

Some of the most controversial aspects of Santa Ana Heights and Bay

Knolls annexation have been smoothed over in Tuesday’s agenda item. City

officials have backed off on their idea to build a fire station on the

same site where residents want a community center. Newport staff members

have also proposed that the city chip in for the cost of the fire

station. This could result in smooth approval of the proposed council

action.

Shellmaker Marine Studies Center

The city’s dream of building a state-of-the-art Marine Studies Center

at Shellmaker Island will be one step closer to reality if council

members approve an item to hire architect Ron Yeo to design the center.

What to expect:

Staff members are recommending the council approve the $200,000

contract.

FYI

* WHO: Newport Beach City Council meeting

* WHEN: 7 p.m. today

* WHERE: Council Chambers at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

* INFORMATION: (949) 644-3000