Here are some items the council will...

Here are some items the council will consider Tuesday.

LIBRARY BOOKSTORE

After outgrowing its current bookstore space at the Mesa Verde

branch library, the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries has asked the

city for $7,500 to relocate a portable building donated by the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District. The building would be moved

from Kaiser Elementary School to the Mesa Verde library. The city was

also asked to waive an $805 permit fee for the building.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Council members seemed uncertain what to do when they first heard

the request July 5, mainly because some council members warned the

city against taking responsibility for the portable building. But

based on the council’s recent generosity to library supporters -- a

future building site was donated in June -- the council may want to

help a little more.

COUNCIL MEETING TIME

Meetings could begin at 5:30 p.m., an hour earlier than the

current schedule, and council comments could come earlier in the

meeting, if council members agree. In February, the council changed

its meetings from Mondays to Tuesdays and looked at other ways of

streamlining the sometimes-lengthy affairs.

This time, Councilwoman Linda Dixon suggested the earlier meeting

time, and Councilman Eric Bever asked to move council comments up on

the agenda.

WHAT TO EXPECT

It’s hard to say whether council members will want to tinker with

their calendar and agenda order again, but earlier meetings could

mean adjourning at a more reasonable hour.

HOME REMODELING PROGRAM

If the council agrees, the city will encourage homeowners to

remodel by waiving various construction and building permit fees from

Sept. 1 to Dec. 31. Costa Mesa is estimated to lose $77,500 during

the program, but the city’s real estate values could increase as

homeowners make upgrades.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Council members were enthusiastic about the plan when it came up

last month, so the council is likely to approve the program.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. tonight

* WHERE: City Council chambers, City Hall, 77 Fair Drive

* INFO: Call (714) 754-5221 or visit www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us