Here are some of the decisions...

Here are some of the decisions coming out of Tuesday’s Newport

Beach City Council meeting.

EZ-LUBE APPEAL

WHAT HAPPENED

Perhaps the most-anticipated decision of the evening will have to

be anticipated a little longer. An appeal by the owner of EZ-Lube to

build an auto service station in Corona del Mar was postponed for a

month to allow company representatives more time to make their case.

Specifically, said EZ-Lube attorney and Santa Monica City Councilman

Ken Genser, the company wanted to mobilize its local supporters to

testify in favor of building the business at 3600 E. Coast Highway.

WHAT IT MEANS

Sometime next month, the matter will come back to the council. The

Planning Commission has already denied the business’ request to waive

some parking requirements. Council members warned that the city, as a

rule, isn’t inclined to ease up on parking restrictions.

WHAT THEY SAID

“I challenge you to find any resident who will speak in support of

this project,” Councilman Dennis O’Neil said.

PLANNING, PARKS COMMISSIONS

WHAT HAPPENED

A subcommittee named the four people who will vie for two open

seats on city commissions. Jeff Cole and Michael Toerge are

candidates to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. William

Garrett and Christopher Sarris are the contenders for an open seat on

the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission.

WHAT IT MEANS

The vote only confirms the nominations. Council members will vote

next month on which candidates will win the appointments.

MARINER’S MILE

WHAT HAPPENED

A plan to keep Mariner’s Mile true to its name took a step forward

Tuesday when council members approved an item to consider creating a

boat “superstore” in the area. After a feasibility study, council

members might decide to lease land in the area and in turn sublease

it to boat dealers.

WHAT IT MEANS

The idea, staff said, is to find a way to make sure that Mariner’s

Mile continues to be an area dedicated to nautical businesses and

uses.

CABLE PRESENTATION

The city’s cable consultant gave council members an update on a

cable needs assessment now underway in the city. Sue Buske, president

of the Buske Group, laid out some details of a recent phone survey in

the city, as well as ongoing focus group meetings. But questions of

programming, service and rates took a back seat to an issue in the

forefront of council members’ minds: What does the Adelphia

bankruptcy mean for local subscribers? The answer: Not much.

Adelphia representative Phil Urbina addressed the council to

assure residents and officials that the company will continue to

provide the same service to its Newport Beach customers despite the

bankruptcy reorganization. And, others pointed out, there has been no

indication that Cox Cable, which provides service to about half the

city, wants to step in to serve Adelphia customers should Adelphia

disappear from Newport Beach.

WHAT IT MEANS

The telecommunication-needs assessment, when complete, will arm

officials who renegotiate the city’s cable contracts later this year.

With residents’ input on what types of local programming they want

and other cable TV and Internet concerns, officials will wrangle to

get the best deal they can with cable providers.

WHAT THEY SAID

“Our job is to make the reorganization transparent to our

customers,” said Phil Urbina of Adelphia cable, regarding the

company’s bankruptcy.

Compiled by June Casagrande