NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

Here are some items the council will consider tonight.

MARINAPARK PLANS

The city has been working to decide what to do with the 9.8-acre Marinapark property it owns, since voters in November 2004 rejected plans for a luxury hotel there. After several months of quiet negotiations with advocates of a public park and members of the adjacent American Legion Post 291, officials have created a plan for a park with a sailing center, playground, open space and a public marina.

Legion members gave the plan a tentative OK in September. The council must now decide whether to keep pushing the plan forward, get detailed designs and figure out how to pay for construction.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The plan is something of a consensus that took time to achieve, so the council probably will vote to proceed. One of the next steps will be more community outreach, so more information on the plan likely would be sent to voters soon.

WI-FI PROPOSALS

At a study session in September, the council heard about a possible citywide wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi network, but held off on asking for proposals from Internet providers because of unanswered questions. They’ve decided they want to offer nonexclusive franchise rights to companies, which would install wireless transmitters on city-owned streetlight poles.

Now council members will vote on whether to ask for proposals. Any deals with wireless providers could get the city a break on wireless services, and having wireless Internet will let residents who subscribe to the service go online anywhere in the city.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The council probably will agree to seek proposals for Wi-Fi services. The proposals would have to be submitted by Nov. 21.

— Compiled by Alicia Robinson

IF YOU GOWHAT: Newport Beach City Council meeting

WHEN: 7 p.m. todaytuesday, with a study session at 4 p.m.

WHERE: City Council chambers, City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

INFO: (949) 644-3005 or www.city.newport-beach.ca.us