Water negotiations stagnating

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT COAST -- Six weeks after Newport Coast residents threatened to

oppose annexation unless the city handed over the millions it would get

from the Irvine Ranch Water District -- the matter appears to be

stagnating.

In what was supposed to be the definitive meeting, city officials spoke

with Newport Coast resident representatives on Friday, but have yet to

resolve this point of contention.

Newport Coast spokesman and resident Jim McGee claimed that the city told

residents they would get all of the $25 million to help pay for the

community’s bond and to repair its ailing infrastructure. However, city

staff said they don’t recall making such a blanket promise.

McGee could not be reached for comment.Still, Mayor John Noyes who

attended the meeting said that they are “one step closer” and he is

optimistic the matter will be resolved by April.

“We’re still working out some of the details,” he said, refusing to

elaborate on the sensitive issue. “We’re still negotiating, but haven’t

finalized anything yet.”

While the money issue was broached, Noyes said that this meeting focused

more on the common ground of creating a community center for Newport

Coast residents. In addition to a center, residents want the city to help

them build a library substation, Noyes said.

Pending the city’s largest annexation effort, Newport would get a total

of $25 million over a 6-year period if the district is allowed to

continue to provide water to the community. City officials thought this

would appeal to Newport Coast residents because the district’s water

rates are three times less than the city’s fees.

While, Noyes is hopeful that negotiations will be finalized within the

next few weeks, there is a history of touchy negotiations with the

community. Two years ago, negotiations fell apart because of a lack of

communication.

The annexation process with Newport Coast resurfaced again last fall and

this time included Santa Ana Heights and Bay Knolls. The city filed a

formal application with the Local Agency Formation Commission, the

state-created body that governs incorporations and annexations.

Once negotiations are finalized, the city will file a completed

application to the commission and hopes to have a hearing set by late

spring.