Here are some items the council will...

Here are some items the council will consider Tuesday.

AIR POLLUTION

PROGRAM

Large employers in the South Coast Air Quality Management District

-- including the city -- must participate in air pollution reduction

programs, either by paying into a fund that goes to emission-reducing

projects, by creating a plan to encourage employee ride-sharing or by

purchasing credits to offset pollution from employee vehicles.

In the past, the city has paid into the fund -- which costs about

$15,000 a year -- and in 1996 it tried to reduce commuting with

carpool programs, a strategy that cost $57,000.

To meet the air district requirement for the next year, the

council will decide whether to buy emission credits from companies

that work to reduce pollution.

It’s expected to cost less than $13,000 a year, the cheapest of

the three options.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The council is likely to approve the emission credit program

because it will save the city money and it isn’t all that different

from paying into the fund that goes to reducing pollution.

RED LIGHT

CAMERAS

If the council agrees, the city will sponsor legislation to modify

the state law governing red-light cameras. The cameras photograph

cars that pass through traffic lights after they turn red so

citations can be issued to the drivers.

After a successful court challenge in February by one cited

driver, the city began giving warnings instead of $337 citations at

two of the four intersections with the cameras.

City officials want to clarify the law as to when a 30-day warning

period is required before cameras can be used, and when cameras can

be installed at intersections where more than one government agency

has jurisdiction.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Council members supported installing red-light cameras, so they’re

likely to agree to pursue the legislation. One or two other cities

are expected to co-sponsor a red-light camera bill with Costa Mesa.

FUTURE LIBRARY SITE

A spacious, modern central library for the city is the dream of

Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries, and all they want is 2.5 acres

and 10 years to build it. They’re asking the City Council to set

aside Civic Center Park, adjacent to City Hall, for 10 years as a

library site.

During that time, the Friends would try to raise the estimated $35

million needed to build the 50,000-square-foot facility they

envision.

WHAT TO EXPECT

It’s unclear whether the council will agree to set aside the land.

On the plus side, it won’t cost a thing because if a library is built

it would be paid for by private donations, grants and possibly a bond

issue.

-- Compiled by Alicia Robinson