NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

INTERNET SURF CAMERAS

The City Council will consider allowing Surfline, Inc. to install a

camera at the city’s lifeguard headquarters and several others along the

beach to monitor weather and surf conditions. In August, officials for

the Huntington Beach-based company withdrew the proposal after council

members decided to research possible deals with similar companies.

One of those companies, Hardcloud, offered to pay the city up to

$7,000 for the right to install a single camera. Surfline had offered to

pay for the camera installation and maintenance costs.

Since Hardcloud appears to have lost its financing, recently laying

off 60 employees, city officials decided that Surfline remains the only

viable alternative.

In addition to giving surfers and others a chance to check out weather

and surf conditions before driving to the beach, the cameras will also

allow lifeguards to monitor unmanned portions of the beach.

What to expect: Council members are likely to allow Surfline to

install the camera.

APPRAISAL OF COMMERCIAL TIDELANDS USES

Council members are scheduled to adopt a budget amendment for the

2000-01 fiscal year to reserve $55,000 for the appraisal of the harbor.

City officials expect that by appraising the market rental rate for

commercial harbor uses, the city could improve the management of the its

harbor properties.

While a bid submitted by George Hamilton Jones, Inc. was higher than

two other top contenders for the contract, city officials stated in a

report that the company has “considerably more experience in marina

appraisals and a superior grasp of the unique situation involving Newport

Beach tidelands.”

What to expect: City officials expect the appraisal to be completed

within 120 days of awarding a contract.

APPLICATION TO OPEN NAIL SALON

Council members will review an application to open a nail salon on

Balboa Peninsula after the Planning Commission denied a use permit at its

Sept. 21 meeting. The commissioners had cited a lack of required parking

as the reason for denying the application.

What to expect: Councilman Tod Ridgeway requested the application be

brought before the City Council for review.

MARINER’S MILE STRATEGIC VISION

Council members will discuss a proposal to beautify and revitalize

Mariner’s Mile. The plan was approved by the Planning Commission on Sept.

21.

Crucial elements of the framework include unifying the area by putting

up entry signs and installing nautical-themed signs along the mile.

“Mariner’s Village,” from Riverside to Tustin avenues, would become

the mile’s focal point. The proposal encourages the development of a

shopping center with a focus on an upscale market, cafes, theaters and

specialty retail.

What to expect: Council members will conduct a public hearing and are

likely to adopt the framework after a second hearing Oct. 24.

FYI

* WHO: Newport Beach City Council members

* WHAT: Regular meeting

* WHEN: 7 p.m. today

* WHERE: City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.