CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED: Council members voted to take another step on the

long road toward annexing Santa Ana Heights.

In October, the City Council turned in an application to annex the Bay

Knolls, Newport Coast and east Santa Ana Heights areas.

The annexation area covers the eastern two-thirds of the overall Santa

Ana Heights area. The remaining area is within Costa Mesa’s sphere of

influence.

WHAT IT MEANS: Some Santa Ana Heights residents are upset that

their unique community will be divided by Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.

However, council members tried to reassure upset community members

that the entire Santa Ana Heights area could be absorbed by Newport

Beach. The final determination will be made by the Local Agency Formation

Commission, which regulates changes in municipal boundaries.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I think it’s a real asset to Newport Beach,” Councilwoman Norma

Glover said, referring to the fact that Santa Ana Heights’ residents can

have horses.

Vote: 4 IN FAVOR / 0 AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED: The council approved cosponsoring the second annual

5K Run and Walk for the Arts. The city will provide as much as $5,000 in

services.

WHAT IT MEANS: The race will raise money for the Balboa Performing

Arts Theatre Foundation, which is trying to renovate the peninsula’s

crumbling theater. Last year, the event attracted 600 participants and

raised $7,000.

To date, the foundation has raised more than $1.6 million to renovate

the crumbling 1927 movie house. The remaining price tag to complete the

project and launch the first season of performances is $4 million.

Vote: 4 IN FAVOR / 0 AGAINST

SOUNDING OFF

“By golly, I’m really excited about this. If we can extend the

settlement agreement by 20 years, we’ll have done more to protect the

quality of life for this city than anything I can remember,” Councilman

Dennis O’Neil said in reference to the council leading an effort to

extend the limits at John Wayne Airport.

NEXT MEETING

At 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.