NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

--Compiled by June Casagrande

City signs

Council members will get an update on the progress of a plan to

overhaul city signs. An oral report during the council study session will

include details on a citywide survey and revamp of signs -- an attempt to

reduce “sign clutter,” as well as to create an elegant and uniform look

for signs citywide.

What to expect:

No action is expected during this routine update.

Fireworks policy

The fizzle after the Fourth of July is as good a time as any to

reconsider the city’s fireworks policy, staffers say. So, during its

study session, the council will look at the city’s policy for issuing

permits to organizations and individuals who want to put on fireworks

displays. Council members will pay special attention to the question of

who should be notified when a fireworks show will take place. Should it

be just the immediate neighbors or everyone affected by the display?

Arguing that the latter requirement may be too broad, staffers are

suggesting the council consider changing this portion of the policy.

What to expect: Though staff members have laid out the possibility

that the council could decide not to issue any more fireworks permits,

such drastic twists to policy aren’t likely. But if council members think

any action needs to be taken, the matter will come up in a future City

Council meeting.

Parkway trees

New rules could give the city more power to specify the size and type

of trees that must be planted in public areas whenever a home or business

is renovated to add 50% or more space. Council members tonight will take

a first look at a proposed ordinance to make city trees more uniform. The

proposed ordinance suggests letting the city specify which species of

tree should be planted along certain streets and also sets a size

standard for young trees to be planted.

What to expect:

If council members agree that the city’s tree policy needs some work,

they will put the item on the July 23 council agenda for the final vote.

Library board of trustees

Council members will take some first steps toward filling out the

city’s Library Board of Trustees.

What to expect:

At their meeting tonight, council members will ponder the question of

who should be the city’s next library trustee.

FYI

* WHO: Newport Beach City Council meeting

* WHEN: 7 p.m. today; study session will begin at 4 p.m.* WHERE:

Council chambers at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

* INFORMATION: (949) 574-4232