INSIDE CITY HALL Here are some decisions...

INSIDE CITY HALL

Here are some decisions coming out of Tuesday’s City Council

meeting.

DINGHY STORAGE

A plan to install racks where mooring permit holders can store

dinghies is one step closer to becoming a reality. The council, in

its study session on Tuesday, heard a presentation on the plan, which

originated in the Harbor Commission. The council decided to move the

matter forward by asking staff to put it on a regular council agenda

sometime next year.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Harbor Commission created the plan as a way to help owners of

mooring permits access their offshore boats. City officials seem to

agree that these permit holders could use some help, but they may not

agree on the solution.

CABLE TV

As part of a complex and lengthy plan to renew the city’s

contracts with its cable providers, the council once again extended

the existing contracts to buy time to work on a longer-term deal.

Tuesday night’s vote passed to a second reading a plan to extend

until Jan. 27, 2005, the contracts that will expire this January.

Last year, the council also extended the contracts for a year.

WHAT IT MEANS

City staff will have more time to work out a deal with Adelphia

and Cox, though the city’s powers in this strictly regulated industry

are very limited. For example, the city has no power to tell the

companies how much to charge for most services. Councilman John

Heffernan, who chairs the city’s telecommunications committee, said

he was frustrated at how long the process was taking and said that he

accepts much of the blame for that.

WHAT THEY SAID

“I think council member Heffernan is taking too much blame on

himself,” Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff said. “I apologize that

it’s taking so long, but it’s the nature of the beast.”

LANDMARK BUILDINGS

An amendment to the city’s municipal code will allow the Balboa

Theater follow through on its design plans while ensuring that none

of the city’s landmark structures can be redeveloped to be too tall.

The council approved the first reading of a city ordinance that would

put a 55-foot height limit on the landmark buildings.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Balboa Theater is one of four structures that fall under the

city’s landmark buildings ordinance. This change to the ordinance

helps clear the way for reopening the historic theater as a venue for

live theater and music and even film screenings.

NEW PARKS COMMISSIONER

Tim Brown will be the newest member of the city’s Parks, Beaches

and Recreation Commission. The council unanimously picked Brown to

fill the seat vacated by Steve Rosansky, who left to accept an

appointment to the City Council.

WHAT IT MEANS

Brown will finish out Rosansky’s term, which ends in June 2007.

After that time, the council could reappoint him.