NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

BUDGET DISCUSSIONS

In a study session, council members discussed in broad terms how the city

will spend its money in the coming year.

WHAT IT MEANS:

This was the first meeting the council convened to review the proposed

2000-01 budget. The next two study sessions will be devoted entirely to

discussing the issue in detail.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“People always ask me where the money is going,” Councilwoman Norma

Glover said of the proposed budget, in which expenditures were higher

than revenues. “If we cut back on capital improvements, [the ratio of

revenue to expenditures] would look very different.”

Glover also noted that the city doesn’t seem to derive as much money as

it should from hotel taxes.

“We really should have a higher rank [among other Orange County cities],”

Glover said. “Supposedly, our industry is tourism.”

NO VOTE

FOCUS ON THE HARBOR

The study session also featured discussion of a plan to add a “harbor

element” to the city’s General Plan, and the formation of a harbor

commission.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The idea for the plan is still pending and will be discussed further at

future meetings.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“Let’s step slowly on this one,” Councilman Tom Thomson said, noting that

the proposals could make life difficult for people who want to make

changes to their property.

“That’s a real dilemma for this city,” Glover said. “I think we’re really

going to have to think about this. [The proposal] would add a very

decided level of approval.”

NO VOTE

SPEED ON SANTIAGO

The council heard a report on the Santiago Drive speed reduction program.

Mayor John Noyes pressed for a faster schedule on the collection of data

and conclusion of the program.

WHAT IT MEANS:

A decision was postponed until the next meeting, when the council will

set a definitive schedule for the study’s completion.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“We’d like to see [data collection] seven days a week, 24 hours a day, so

give it a shot and we’ll see where it goes,” said Santiago Drive resident

Bryan Bond.

7-0 IN FAVOR