INSIDE CITY HALL Here are some of...

INSIDE CITY HALL

Here are some of the issues the council considered Monday.

ANIMAL HOSPITAL APPLICATION

The council gave the Newport Harbor Animal Hospital another year

to obtain the building permits for an addition that was approved a

year ago. The hospital is in the process of meeting city criteria for

the permits. Along with the addition approved last year, the hospital

got a reduction in required parking.

WHAT HAPPENED

The council unanimously approved the extension. Some residents

complained about the reduction in required parking, but since the

city approved that last year, the council could not change that

decision.

WHAT WAS SAID

“It’s almost like [applicants] get a rubber stamp,” resident Mike

Berry said. “Everyone who wants less parking gets it. Then we wonder

why there’s so much congestion.”

SEGERSTROM AGREEMENT

The council conducted its annual review of the Segerstrom Town

Center development agreement and considered an ordinance that would

change the agreement to correctly identify the parking structure

designated for discount parking.

Segerstrom Town Center is part of the South Coast Plaza Town

Center. Approved development for this area mainly involves a 200-room

hotel and a 21-story office building. This was the first review of

the development agreement.

WHAT HAPPENED

The council unanimously found the Segerstroms in compliance with

the agreement and approved the ordinance. Mayor Gary Monahan was

absent.

NEW REVENUE SOURCES-PRIORITIZATION

The council decided to delay giving direction to staff on

potential new revenue services and prioritize which programs and

services should be examined to be discontinued or modified. The new

revenue sources being considered include increases in the business

license tax and transient occupancy tax.

WHAT HAPPENED

The council decided to continue both issues until its next meeting

because of Monahan’s absence. Some residents suggested closing the

Job Center to save money.

WHAT WAS SAID

“Why don’t we close it down and tell Newport Beach to open its

own?” resident Martin Millard asked. “If they say, ‘We don’t have any

day laborers,’ once they open it, they will come.”