NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

CHANGES TO ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE

The city’s Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee

could get a make-over if council members approve a resolution to change

the panel’s membership and its responsibilities.

City officials hope the changes will lead to a more stable membership

and timely filling of vacancies. The new membership would include:

* Two council members;

* One economic development committee member;

* Resident at large as chairman, appointed by the mayor;

* Seven members appointed by council members from their respective

districts;

* Seven residents at large, nominated by the committee and confirmed

by the city council;

* Four members from homeowners or community associations, nominated by

the committee and confirmed by the city council;

* Three members knowledgeable about environmental issues of concern to

Newport Beach or the administration of the California Environmental

Quality Act.

Members would serve “at the pleasure of the mayor” rather than

limiting terms to one year.

The committee’s new responsibilities would include reviewing and

commenting on notices of preparation and environmental reports under

review by other agencies that could potentially affect the city.

What to expect: Council members are likely to approve the changes.

BIKE REGULATIONS

After receiving a number of complaints, city officials propose to

outlaw pedicabs and surrey cycles on public property from Coast Highway

to the ocean.

What to expect: Council members are likely to approve the changes

to the municipal code.

AMERICAN LEGION LEASE EXTENSION

City officials propose to extend the lease for American Legion Post

291 until March 15, 2002. On Oct. 25, 1999, the City Council extended the

lease until March 15, 2001. A mobile home park, which occupied the same

city-owned land, has a lease until March 15, 2002.

The city leases the land for $300 per month, plus money from legion

parking stalls, marina slip rentals, and dry storage areas and lockers.

The city receives about $105,000 annually from the lease.

In August, the council entered an exclusive negotiating agreement with

a developer who plans to build a $30-million luxury hotel on the

city-owned Marinapark site.

What to expect: Council members are likely to approve the lease

extension.

FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY CENTERThe Balboa Island Museum and Historical

Society has proposed to buy the old Balboa Island Fire Station and turn

it into a community center and museum. The society expects to pay

$750,000 for the building and about $250,000 to renovate it. With a

commitment to raise $650,000, the society is asking the city to pick up

the difference.

City officials propose to enter an agreement with the society that

would set aside $350,000 in city money for the project, as long as the

society can raise its share and commits to using the building for those

purposes.

What to expect: If the city council approves the recommendations,

city officials will prepare a budget amendment to allocate the funds.

FYI

* WHO: Newport Beach City Council members

* WHAT: Regular meeting

* WHEN: 7 p.m. tonight

* WHERE: City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.