NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL MEETING WRAP

Here are a few items the council considered Tuesday.

CRYSTAL COVE FUNDINGOvernight rentals of 13 restored cottages at Crystal Cove State Park are expected to earn about $900,000 a year, even with their cheap rates. But Crystal Cove advocates don’t yet have funding for the next phase of restoration in the park’s historic district, so some council members suggested the city donate the bed taxes it collects from the cottages back to the park.

But a proposal to fund the restoration for five years with cottage bed taxes, estimated at $90,000 a year, was rejected in a 3-4 vote, with council members Leslie Daigle, Michael Henn, Ed Selich and Mayor Steve Rosansky voting no.

Those who didn’t support the funding plan said that although they considered the project worthy, they thought it should compete with the rest of the capital projects vying for city money each year.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city won’t commit five years’ worth of bed taxes from the Crystal Cove cottages to further restoration projects there, but council members said they would consider funding Crystal Cove on an annual basis along with other capital projects.

POLICE PATROL BOOSTMore police patrols will be deployed on weekends around Ocean Boulevard in Corona del Mar to answer residents’ complaints about trash, crime and late-night beach partyers. The city will also install a security gate at the city parking lot at Corona del Mar State Beach, and officials will consider cameras for more secluded beach areas to watch for unauthorized activity.

The council in January heard residents around Ocean Boulevard and Peninsula Point say they’ve seen cars vandalized, couples having sex in the street, and people drinking and leaving trash behind. They’re also interested in resident-only permit parking, an option the city is still exploring.

WHAT IT MEANS

Extra police patrols will work on Ocean Boulevard between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, and police will hold neighborhood meetings with concerned residents. The new enforcement measures will cost about $42,000.

AIRPORT GROUPSThe council voted unanimously to affirm its support for two activist groups, Airfair and the Airport Working Group, that aim to prevent future expansion of John Wayne Airport. The Airport Working Group has existed since 1982, and Airfair was formed in 2002.

WHAT IT MEANS

The somewhat symbolic move is part of the city’s recent efforts to buttress its position before the legal settlement that governs airport operations expires in eight years.

The city will work with activist organizations Airfair and the Airport Working Group to protect Newport from the effects of the airport.

Compiled by Alicia Robinson

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Next City Council meeting

WHEN: 7 p.m., Feb. 27

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

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