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
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