City hall location on Feb. ballot

A measure that would require Newport Beach’s city hall to be built next to the city’s central library will be on the Feb. 5, 2008, ballot, the City Council voted Tuesday.

The measure’s lead proponent, Bill Ficker, and other supporters, will write the ballot argument for the measure, and opposition group Parks Are Priceless will draft the argument against it.

The council’s vote signals the start of a fierce campaign between those who want to build the city hall next to the library and others who argue the city shouldn’t break a promise to use the site as a park.

Several residents urged the council not to place the measure on the ballot saying it’s legally flawed and ties the council’s hands in the event of problems with the site.

Resident Debra Allen argued the initiative would require the council to build city hall by the library, even if it would worsen traffic and block public and private ocean views.

“If this initiative passes, you will be forced to build city hall on the park site, regardless of the cost,” Allen said.

But even council members who don’t support the measure said they want to get the election over with.

“We should probably spend the money and get this settled,” Councilwoman Nancy Gardner said.

Getting the issue on the ballot with the February presidential primary is estimated to cost about $116,000.

At its next meeting, the council may consider a companion measure that would exempt the initiative from Measure F, the so-called Greenlight Law, which would require a second public vote to change the city’s general plan to allow the new city hall.

ALICIA ROBINSON may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or at alicia.robinson@latimes.com.