WHAT HAPPENED: The council decided to give seasonal lifeguards a
10% raise starting this March. It approved transferring $32,000 from the
general fund reserves.
WHAT IT MEANS: Newport relies heavily on seasonal lifeguards to
provide a safe environment for the millions of tourists that visit every
year. Last summer, it appeared that many Southern California agencies
were having problems attracting and keeping entry-level lifeguards. By
keeping their high pay structure, Newport wants to make sure it does not
have the same problems.
VOTE: 6-0 (in favor / against)
WHAT HAPPENED: The council decided to postpone a request to amend
the professional services agreement for consulting services to prepare
the Newport Dunes environmental report.
WHAT IT MEANS: The company preparing the environmental report for
the $100-million Dunes project wants more money. The original agreement
was set in the fall of 1998 at $79,500. Additional money has been tacked
on over the past year and a half for more studies. The Dunes has agreed
to pay an additional $12,900 for the consultant.
WHAT THEY SAID: "I am bothered with the company that has a contract
and keeps changing its orders," said Councilman Tod Ridgeway.
VOTE: No vote
WHAT HAPPENED: The council attempted to select a replacement for
the vacancy on the Planning Commission. But, because councilman Gary
Adams was not present, a vote ended in a tie.
WHAT IT MEANS: The council decided to schedule a special meeting to
select a new commissioner.
WHAT THEY SAID: "We got an absolutely overwhelming 32 applicants,"
said Mayor John Noyes, reflecting on the quality of the applicants the
city received.
VOTE: No result. Mayor John Noyes and council members Jan Debay and
Dennis O'Neil voted for Earl McDaniel; council members Tod Ridgeway,
Norma Glover and Tom Thomson voted for Steven Kaiser.
SOUNDING OFF
"I'm particularly partial to toilets," said Councilman Tod Ridgeway,
referring to the future Bonita Canyon Sports Park and his belief that
park-goers deserved more than a porta-potty.
NEXT MEETING:
Feb. 8 -- 4 p.m. study session, 7 p.m. regular meeting, at the City of
Newport Beach Council Chambers, 3300 Newport Blvd.
