NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

Here are a few items the council considered Tuesday.

PLANNING STAFFThe council voted to spend the money to beef up the city’s planning department in response to a steady growth in planners’ workloads.

Planning department customers complain about how long it takes to get plans and designs approved by the city, and the new staff should help streamline that.

Adding four people to the planning department roster, getting them equipment and having documents scanned for electronic storage will cost $189,025 this year.

WHAT IT MEANS

Four more planners will be hired, and those who use the planning department should see a faster turnaround when they submit plans to be checked.

NEWPORT BAY COMMITTEEThe council voted to form a new subcommittee on bay issues, with council members Ed Selich, Nancy Gardner and Leslie Daigle as members.

Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff suggested creating the committee to oversee a number of ongoing projects in the bay, including a major dredging project and construction of the Back Bay Science Center on Shellmaker Island.

WHAT IT MEANS

A new council subcommittee will address bay issues.

Compiled by Alicia Robinson

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Next City Council meeting

WHEN: 7 p.m., Jan. 23

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

INFO: (949) 644-3005 or www.city.newportbeach.ca.us