Here are a few items the council...

Here are a few items the council considered Tuesday.

GISLER BIKE TRAIL

The council agreed to hire All American Asphalt of Corona for

$237,069 to build a bike trail on Gisler Avenue. It will connect

existing trails that end at Washington Avenue with the Santa Ana

River regional trail system. The project will be paid for with the

city’s Measure M funds.

WHAT IT MEANS

The existing Gisler Avenue bike trail will be extended from

Washington Avenue to connect with the Santa Ana River trail system.

RED LIGHT

CAMERA LAW

Hoping to clarify the state law governing red-light cameras, the

council agreed to sponsor legislation that would make changes. The

city has the cameras at four intersections to photograph cars passing

through red traffic lights so tickets can be issued to the drivers.

One driver successfully challenged his citation in court, which

led the city to issue warnings instead of tickets at two of the four

intersections with cameras. The legal challenge hinged on when a

30-day warning period is required before cameras can be used and who

can install cameras at intersections where more than one government

agency has jurisdiction.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city will look for other cities as co-sponsors and will find a

legislator to carry the bill, which probably won’t be introduced

until 2006.

HOTEL TAX

The council voted to renew a 2% tax on eight of the city’s hotels

that fund the Costa Mesa Conference and Visitor Bureau. The hotels

voluntarily agree to the assessment, and one hotel -- Holiday Inn

Express Hotel and Suites Costa Mesa -- asked to be added to the list

for the assessment.

Costa Mesa hotels don’t mind the added tax because the money goes

toward promoting travel and tourism in the city. The city’s bed tax

is one of the lowest in the area, so even with another 2% charge

guests still pay less in surcharges here than they would in

surrounding cities.

WHAT IT MEANS

The eight hotels, which include Ayres Country Inn & Suites and the

Westin South Coast Plaza, will continue to add a 2% tax to room fees.