INSIDE CITY HALL Here are some...

INSIDE CITY HALL

Here are some decisions out of the Newport Beach City Council

meeting Tuesday.

NEWPORT COAST COSTS

Council members agreed to reimburse the county about $20,000 in

legal fees incurred last year when a group of Newport Coast residents

sued to reverse annexation of their area to Newport Beach, but not

without some lament. The Local Agency Formation Commission incurred

the legal costs to defend themselves in the suit, costs that rules

require the city to repay. Add that to the more than $12,000 the city

paid to retain Phil Cohn of the law firm Rutan and Tucker for the

matter, and it brings the legal fees for the suit to more than

$32,000.

WHAT THEY SAID

“So, basically, one resident cost the city $32,000 in unneeded

legal fees?” Councilman John Heffernan pointed out, while

acknowledging that such challenges are every resident’s right.

SENIOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

A much-anticipated project to build 150 units of senior affordable

housing at Lower Bayview took a step forward when council members

approved setting aside $50,000 for anticipated consultant contracts

and planning costs. A large number of residents have asked how to

obtain senior affordable housing once it is built southwest of the

intersection of Jamboree Road and Back Bay Drive. But no information

is available on how to get one of the units. Waiting lists and more

information won’t be available until after the project breaks ground,

but it’s uncertain when that might take place.

VIRTUAL FAQS

A presentation by city staff on a new automated phone and Internet

service came at the end of the meeting, the time when council members

were on the verge of getting a bit silly. One well-intentioned

question was enough to send them over the edge: “What are FAQs?” The

answer: “Frequently asked questions.”

It went downhill from there, as council members noticed that the

new service included information on candle permits. City staff member

Dennis Danner dialed up the information on obtaining a city candle

permit, which to council members’ relief, is only required for

restaurants and special events.

To test the city’s new Virtual FAQ system, dial (949) 644-3211.

WHAT THEY SAID

“We need to let people at home know they can light a candle at

home for free,” Councilman Tod Ridgeway said.

-- Compiled by June Casagrande