City hopes roads will lead to funds

While the debate on a national stimulus package stretches on in Washington, Tuesday night it reached into the Costa Mesa City Council chambers.

Though a package is not compete, council members voted 4 to 1 to begin design work on four road projects that city staff hope will attract infrastructure money from the federal package.

The four projects would repave and rehabilitate sections of Old Newport Boulevard, Victoria Street, Adams Avenue, Vanguard Street, Wilson Street and Mendoza Drive, costing about $500,000 to design the plans.

While the city has no way of knowing the criteria under which any stimulus package will take place, Public Services Director Peter Naghavi said these were meant to be “shovel-ready infrastructure projects” that would possibly attract such money.

“The hope is we get some funding through our design work from the federal stimulus plan to help with our construction costs,” Naghavi said.

Councilman Eric Bever cast the dissenting vote, saying he did not believe in the stimulus package making its way through Congress.

“I have concerns regarding the federal stimulus program,” he said. “It’s not well-enough defined, do not want to add to the momentum for it at this point.”

Mayor Allan Mansoor said he agreed with Bever on the political question, but said the city should still position itself for a share of any money that does come its way, whether it was wisely allocated or not.

“Yes, it’s borrowed and printed money, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be in line for it,” Mansoor said.

Councilwoman Katrina Foley said she approved of stimulus funds going to plans like those, because “these are types of projects we should be funding.”

The council also voted unanimously to streamline the process for homeowners who want to install wheelchair ramps or other accommodations for people with disabilities.

Previously, those who wanted to put in such ramps, if they violated local zoning, might have to pay $1,550, notify the public and go before the city’s Planning Commission for a hearing.

The new rules will let city planning staff handle such applications, a move that city planning staff said would help Costa Mesa comply with fair housing laws that require “reasonable accommodations” for the disabled.

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at [email protected].