INSIDE CITY HALL Here are some of...

INSIDE CITY HALL

Here are some of the issues the council considered Tuesday:

MAYOR PRO TEM

The council chose Councilman Steve Bromberg as the new mayor pro

tem, replacing Gary Adams, who has resigned his seat.

WHAT IT MEANS

Bromberg is the second in charge under Mayor Tod Ridgeway.

APPEALS PROCESS

The city passed the second reading of a law changing how the city

handles appeals. The council approved it the first time on Aug. 24.

The law changes the city code to require a simple majority vote of

the council to initiate an appeal of decisions made by the planning

director, the Planning Commission and the Modifications Committee, a

staff committee that has decision-making authority over minor

zoning-code issues. Previously, one council member could initiate an

appeal.

WHAT IT MEANS

In less than a month, four council members will have to agree to

hear an appeal of a decision.

WHAT WAS SAID

“I think it’s a dangerous precedent especially since our Planning

Commission doesn’t have the same limit,” said Councilman John

Heffernan, who dissented. “This is a peculiar way of doing business.”

SMOKING BAN ON PIERS AND BEACHES

The city passed the second reading of a law banning smoking on

city piers and beaches. The council approved it the first time on

Aug. 24, following the lead of cities, including San Clemente and

Huntington Beach.

In August, Ridgeway said the ban won’t likely be enforced unless a

police officer spots a smoker somewhere along Newport’s 6.2 miles of

sandy beach or on the pier. Instead, Ridgeway believes the city will

resort to self-policing of smoking on the beachfront so police, fire

and lifeguard crews can stick to crime and safety concerns.

WHAT IT MEANS

In mid-October, no smoking will be allowed on the piers and

beaches.

WHAT WAS SAID

Councilman Dick Nichols, who dissented, said statistical evidence

shows second-hand smoke in closed rooms has barely any effect and

outside, it has no effect at all, especially if you’re not part of

the group where someone is smoking.

FOURTH OF JULY POLICE OPERATIONS

The council reviewed a report analyzing police operations on the

Fourth of July and watched a video recapping the day’s events. The

crowd this year was smaller than expected. Although arrests were down

from two years ago, 114 arrests were made, up 10% from last year.

Many of the arrests were for assaults.

The changes made in 2003 -- which included designating the area

bordered by Coast Highway, Newport Boulevard, 32nd Street, the ocean

and 54th Street as a “safety enhancement zone” where fines for city

code violations were tripled -- had a positive effect on the police

department’s ability to keep the West Newport community safe this

year, according to the staff report written by Lt. John Klein.

WHAT HAPPENED

The council received the report.

WHAT WAS SAID

“You’re doing a great job with this,” Bromberg said of the police

department. “Compared to other years, it was pretty civil. It’s day

and night from what it used to be.”

-- Compiled by Deirdre Newman