Here are some items on the...

Here are some items on the Costa Mesa City Council meeting on

Tuesday.

CROSSING GUARDS

The City Council is expected to increase the pay for crossing

guards by 6% tonight by changing its contract with a Los

Angeles-based staffing company.

City officials propose an increase in the hourly rate for guards

from $11.79 to $12.49 and will adjust its contract with All City

Management to reflect the raise.

Last summer, council members decided to go beyond city boundaries

and contract with the private company to provide crossing guards at

18 locations throughout the city.

Despite expensive recruitment strategies such as increased

advertising, salary adjustments and fliers, the city had been unable

to fill vacant crossing guard positions. City leaders said crossing

guards are a crucial safety element and the positions must be filled.

To solve both problems of recruitment and retention, staff

suggested a contract with All City Management Services. All existing

crossing guards for the city were also hired on by the company.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The council is expected to approve the raise.

SECOND-STORY ADDITION

The owners of the contentious Aviemore Terrace home, who were

previously denied permission to build a second-story addition to

their Westside home, will be back in front of council members

tonight, asking them to reconsider.

John and Debbie Clark will ask the council to take another look at

their project, which calls for the building of a second-floor master

suite and expansion of the ground floor for a breakfast nook, kitchen

and study -- designs that would create their dream home, they say.

The proposed addition raised the ire of neighbors who said the

resulting home would not only block their view of the ocean but would

create a “monster home” that would be out of character with the

surrounding neighborhood. Residents urged council members to deny the

project on the basis that city codes mandate additions to be

“harmonious” and “compatible” with the neighborhood. The proposed

home would not be, they argued.

City Council members agreed and unanimously denied a two-story

home addition last month, saying the anticipated lawsuit from the

Clarks would finally test city codes that require developments to be

“harmonious” and “compatible” with the surrounding neighborhood.

The Clarks are back to ask that the council at least consider a

rehearing on the project, saying they will present new facts to

encourage approval.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Council members are expected to deny the rehearing.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

The City Council will consider the introduction of a nationwide

energy-saving program to the city to power up their efforts to begin

new conservation techniques.

Planning commissioners had outlined energy conservation as one of

their chief goals and have formally recommended the City Council pass

a law that encourages new city buildings to take part in the

Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program. Private

buildings would also be encouraged to take part but participation

would not be mandatory.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Expect the majority of the council to be on board. But considering

it is campaign season and the energy conservation program was in part

the brainchild of Planning Commission Chairwoman Katrina Foley -- who

is gunning for either Councilman Gary Monahan or Mayor Linda Dixon’s

seat on the council -- there could be some opposition from the dais.

--Compiled by Lolita Harper