Topping this week’s actions in local government, the South Coast Air Quality Management District is set to vote on controversial restrictions for beach bonfires, and Irvine considers adding $1 million to its Great Park budget to accommodate outsourcing.
The AQMD’s governing board is scheduled Friday to establish new regulations banning beach fire rings in Orange and Los Angeles counties within 700 feet of a residence and giving cities greater power to ban fire rings in their jurisdiction.
The proposal is a softening of its position from an all-out ban in the face of a major backlash from many local residents and elected officials, who argue that the bonfires are a quintessential part of Southern California culture.
The ban has been advocated by residents of Newport Beach’s Corona del Mar neighborhood, who complain that the fires are hazardous to their health and well-being.
The new proposal would also ban beach burning when high levels of fine particles are forecast in coastal air and request proposals for low-emission, nonwood fire pits, such as those using natural gas.
Even with the lighter approach, the meeting is expected to draw numerous local residents on both sides of the issue.
The Irvine City Council is set Tuesday to approve a midyear budget adjustment adding $1 million in costs for outsourcing Great Park programming to a nonprofit organization.
The city staff report doesn’t explain why the outsourcing is expected to cost more.
Here’s a rundown of what’s up for debate this week across Orange County:
Monday, July 8
OCTA Board of Directors — 9 a.m.
- Completion of milestones for the Anaheim streetcar project.
- Update on meetings with financial institutions and ratings agencies in New York.
- Chairman Greg Winterbottom’s midyear initiatives report.
- Review of oversight controls and contract compliance of Orangethorpe railroad corridor grade separation projects.
Tuesday, July 9
Irvine City Council Special Meeting — 3 p.m.
- Budget adjustments for costs associated with outsourcing certain Orange County Great Park programs.
- Appointment of a City Council subcommittee for a proposed Campos Verdes project development agreement.
Orange City Council — 4:30 p.m.
- Approving a contract with the District Attorney’s Office to prosecute violations of the Orange Municipal Code by juveniles at $234 per prosecution.
- Approving an agreement to pay Discovery Science Center $17,500 for developing and presenting environmental curriculum.
- Sending a 2012 general plan progress report to the governor’s office.
- Paying Danny Letner Inc. $77,300 for reroofing the Ruby’s Diner at Orange Depot.
Garden Grove City Council — 5:30 p.m.
- Approving a zoning change and developer agreement with Brandywine Homes to allow construction of 18 single-family homes.
- Approving an $840 per-month, three-year contract with Time Warner Cable to provide Internet services to City Hall at 20 Mbps.
- Approving a $500,000, one-year contract with Scott Fazekas & Associates for plan check services.
Newport Beach City Council — 7 p.m.
- Approving zoning changes and formation of ad hoc committee to negotiate with RD Olson Development on re-use of the former city hall property.
- Direction to staff regarding the future of the “Miracle Mile” area of West Coast Highway west of Dover Drive and east of Newport Boulevard.
Friday, July 12
South Coast AQMD Governing Board Special Meeting — 9 a.m.
- Amending air quality regulations to prohibit beach fire rings within 700 feet of a residence and giving cities in Orange and Los Angeles counties greater power to ban fire rings in their jurisdiction.
Adam Elmahrek contributed to this report.
You can reach Nick Gerda at ngerda@gmail.com, and follow him on Twitter: @nicholasgerda.