NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

Here are a few items the council considered Tuesday.

LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM

The council agreed to a list of legislative goals for 2007-08 that’s largely in keeping with past objectives. One controversial point pulled off the list was official city support for completion of the Foothill-Eastern Toll Road, which has been controversial because the new southern extension would cut through San Onofre State Park.

The city so far has not taken a position on the toll road. It was included in the legislative goals as a way to reduce pressure on John Wayne Airports by making it easier to get to other airports. Councilwoman Nancy Gardner asked to take the issue off the list, noting that the governor has spoken against the road extension and that the state attorney general filed a suit to block it.

The council will discuss the toll road issue separately at a future meeting. The rest of the legislative package was approved in a 6-0 vote, with Councilman Keith Curry abstaining. Key legislative items on the list were seeking money for city environmental projects, preventing expansion of John Wayne Airport and requesting more authority to regulate the city’s drug and alcohol recovery facilities.

WHAT IT MEANS

The council will continue to engage lobbyists to pursue city goals at the state and federal levels.

CABLE EQUIPMENT

After Time Warner Cable took over Adelphia, the company changed some terms of the agreements it has with cities, including Newport Beach. In the new contract, Time Warner no longer provides camera operators to tape and broadcast City Council meetings, though the city made a special month-to-month agreement to keep meetings on the air.

City officials considered continuing to contract out the service, but after about a year it would cost as much as buying the equipment. So the council agreed to buy robotic cameras and other necessary equipment to tape city meetings and shows, and the city will essentially control its cable channel.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city will spend about $100,000 to buy cable equipment and take over taping of City Council meetings as well as possibly adding new programs to the city’s cable channel. The money comes from cable company grants to the city.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Next City Council meeting

WHEN: 7 p.m., March 13

WHERE: Council chambers, City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

INFO: (949) 644-3005 or www.city.newport-beach.ca.us

— Compiled by Alicia Robinson