CITY COUNCIL

Here are a few items the council considered Tuesday.

FIREFIGHTER SALARIES

The city’s firefighters will get annual raises between 1% and 3% through 2007 under a new contract the council approved in a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Dick Nichols dissenting. City staff members said the raises will align firefighters’ pay with their counterparts in neighboring cities.

Increased health benefits, a pay differential for bilingual employees and a new retirement benefit are also provided in the new contract. Nichols voted against it after expressing concern that the retirement benefits would encourage firefighters to retire earlier.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city will spend another $493,000 on firefighters in this fiscal year. That money was already budgeted.

STOP SIGN

Drivers in Harbor View Hills South will have to slow down on Park Green Drive when they get to Sandcastle Drive, now that the council has approved, 7-0, a stop sign for that intersection. After residents worried about drivers’ speeds in the area, the city’s traffic affairs committee supported a stop sign and the council on Tuesday agreed.

WHAT IT MEANS

A stop sign will be installed on Park Green Drive at Sandcastle Drive.

CIVIL SERVICE

BOARD OPENING

The council is seeking anyone interested in serving on the city’s civil service board, which advises the council and hears appeals on personnel matters. The vacancy was left when former Congressman Robert E. Badham died Oct. 21.

The term of the new appointee will last through June 2010. The council is expected to choose someone Jan. 10.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city will take applications through Nov. 23 for the open seat on the civil service board.

Compiled by Alicia Robinson

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Next City Council meeting

* WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 22

* WHERE: Council chambers, City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

* INFO: (949) 644-3005 or www.city.newport-beach.ca.us