INSIDE CITY HALL Here are some decisions...

INSIDE CITY HALL

Here are some decisions coming out of Tuesday night’s City Council

meeting.

MARINAPARK PROJECT

An environmental study of the proposed Regent Newport Beach resort

will move forward, and probably be ready for public review by

February. Council members voted Tuesday to award a $195,000 contract,

which will be paid by the developer, to consultant Michael Brandman

Associates to conduct a thorough review of the traffic, noise,

environmental and other effects that could be created by the project.

Developer Sutherland Talla has proposed building a 110-room luxury

resort between 16th and 18th streets on the harbor side of the Balboa

Peninsula.

WHAT IT MEANS

Staff members assured the council that there will be numerous

opportunities for the public to learn more and voice their concerns

before the matter goes to a ballot. Officials plan to put the matter

on the ballot in the November 2004 general election.

WORKERS COMPENSATION

For insurance customers, things are tough all over. And that fact

was reflected in an agenda item to renew the city’s workers

compensation coverage. Acknowledging that post Sept. 11 insurance

premiums have become painful to pay, council members agreed to renew

a its excess insurance coverage at a cost of $434,679 for the year.

The city self-insures for workers compensation for up to $1 million.

The catastrophic coverage provided by National Union Fire Insurance

Co. covers everything over the first $1 million up to $100 million in

damages.

CORONA DEL MAR MEDIANS

The painted-on medians on Coast Highway between MacArthur Drive

and Poppy Drive will soon be painted on no more. Council members

approved a contract to replace the yellow striped medians with raised

and landscaped medians that will add to the beautification underway

as part of the Corona del Mar Vision Plan. And council members agreed

that the $46,200 price tag from DMC Engineering of Irvine was a

pretty good deal.