40 apply for two city committees

Groups will study sites for proposed city hall and financing of Newport Beach city buildings.Newport Beach officials say they are happy with the number of residents who applied to the two committees that will recommend possible sites for a new city hall and funding for city facilities.

By Friday’s noon deadline, the city had received 40 applications -- 32 for the city hall site committee and 16 for the finance committee, said City Manager Homer Bludau.

The city even had to turn away several applicants who applied after the deadline, Bludau said.

“I am pleased to see that many applicants,” said Mayor Don Webb. “We are going to have to interview and make our determination, and I’m glad that we have more than one per position to consider.”

In November, the City Council opted to form the two committees instead of proceeding with plans for a $48-million civic center at the current City Hall site.

Bludau said he will not release the name of the applicants until the applications have been reviewed. The City Council will announce the committees at its Jan. 24 meeting, Bludau said.

Newport Beach resident John Buttolph, an attorney and spokesman for Newporters for Responsible Growth, said he is one of the 16 people who applied for the finance committee.

Buttolph said he neither supports nor opposes the proposed city hall site but is more interested in the financing of such city facilities.

“I have an open mind about the site,” Buttolph said.

Buttolph said the council’s decision to create the committees and the high number of applicants is a positive step for the city.

“I think it indicates the passion with which the community is concerned about the outcome of these issues,” Buttolph said.

“I hope the council is intending to have that input be meaningful.”