MARINERS BRANCH LIBRARY Construction of the Mariners...

MARINERS BRANCH LIBRARY

Construction of the Mariners Branch Library can move forward,

thanks to a $125,000 boost from city coffers. The council agreed

unanimously to cover unforeseen costs of construction and voted to

grant a $5.4-million contract to Howard S. Wright Construction Co..

About half the library’s cost is paid for by a state library grant,

with the other half about evenly divided between the city and private

donations. The library’s price tag has exceeded earlier estimates

because of rising costs for construction labor and materials.

WHAT IT MEANS

The library’s construction is expected to begin in February with

an opening scheduled in March 2006. The facility will be open to the

public and also available to students at Mariners Elementary School.

WATER QUALITY ENFORCEMENT

The council voted unanimously to change an existing part-time code

and water quality enforcement position to full time to help handle

the city’s increasing load of water-quality regulations,

water-related grant projects and an expected contract to provide

water-quality enforcement in West Santa Ana Heights.

WHAT IT MEANS

It will cost the city $41,220 more in added salary and benefits,

but workers will have more time to devote to keeping Newport’s

coastal and bay waters clean.