ON THE AGENDA Here are a few...
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ON THE AGENDA
Here are a few of the items the council will consider tonight.
SANITATION
FRANCHISE FEE
The council will again consider a law imposing a franchise fee on
most of the city’s trash haulers that it first approved on Nov. 1.
The law would impose a 12% fee on the gross sales of waste haulers,
except the Costa Mesa Sanitary District’s exclusive residential waste
hauler, CR&R.; Such franchise fees are paid to cities for use of city
streets.
The revenue from the new fee is expected to help the city close
its recurring budget gap. Franchises would be granted for seven-year
terms. Haulers serving commercial, industrial and multifamily
properties, like condominium complexes, would make an annual minimum
payment of $10,000 for a permit to operate in the city. Haulers that
handle Dumpsters for construction and demolition sites would pay
$1,500 for their permits.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The council will likely give final approval to the law.
RESIDENT-ONLY PARKING
The council will consider ways to add more parking to crowded
areas in and around the College Park neighborhood. One suggestion by
staff members is to remove the bicycle lanes on Wilson Street,
between Fairview Road and College Avenue, adding 50 parking spaces.
Another is to add 41 parking spaces on the west side of Vanguard Way
between Clearbrook Lane and Newport Boulevard.
Adding parking in these two areas would cost a total of $9,000.
These ideas are being considered after homeowners in the area said
their streets were being overrun with parked cars, affecting their
quality of life and creating safety hazards. They suggested
resident-only parking restrictions. Other residents in the area, such
as apartment renters and condominium owners, opposed any parking
restrictions.
Staff members would monitor the results of these two measures --
if they are approved -- after three months. If parking problems
persist, the council would then consider more options.
There will be an informational meeting on this issue in the
council chambers at 5:30 p.m. today, so residents can see designs of
the various options.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The council directed staff members to “think outside the box” in
coming up with a solution agreeable to all parties. Hopefully, this
is it. Or at least a start.
APPEALS BOARD CHANGES
The council will consider reducing the membership of the Access,
Building, Fire and Housing Board of Appeals. This board handles
appeals of decisions made by a city building official or fire
marshal.
The current board has 10 members and the council will consider
reducing the membership to five. Staff members suggest the board be
made up of two physically handicapped members, two people with
construction experience and one member of the public. They also
suggest appointing a completely new board, so the members meet these
requirements.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The council is likely to follow the advice of staff members.
PENSION BOOSTING
The council will consider giving Assistant City Atty. Tom Wood and
paralegal secretary Marilyn Robinson credit for two extra years of
work to boost their pensions.
Both received six-month layoff notices in September, because the
city is now using an outside legal firm instead of an in-house city
attorney’s office.
State law allows cities to provide additional work credit for
employees who are laid off.
Staff members estimate the most it could cost the city is about
$135,000.
Mayor Gary Monahan said adding years of service to retirement
benefits is common practice in the corporate world. He said the cost
will more likely be about $60,000 since both are expected to retire
before the end of the six-month period, and their salaries are
included in the staff members’ estimate.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Council members will have to consider if they can afford to spend
up to $135,000, when they are also considering increasing the
salaries of city employees.
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