Residents can use parking permits at Newport’s new Marina Park

After weighing complaints from residents at previous meetings, the Newport Beach City Council moved forward Tuesday with a parking plan for the new Marina Park that will allow holders of annual and master permits to park at the facility, which is expected to open Dec. 5.

Many Balboa Peninsula residents raised concerns at the last council meeting and at a town hall gathering this month about a perceived lack of parking for residents and how the city plans to enforce parking rules.

In response, city staff revised its plan to allow master permits and a maximum of 15 annual permits at a time in the Marina Park lot, which has 177 stalls. Officials expect 215 street parking spots will serve the project as well. The council voted unanimously to approve the plan.

A master parking permit entitles a vehicle to occupy a space in any metered area or municipal lot without paying a fee. An annual permit allows a vehicle to be parked in designated areas without payment. Many residents buy the permits, which ranged this year from $158 for an annual permit to $474 for a master permit, to simplify parking in the city.

The council also signed off on hours and prices for the lot, which will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight. Visitors will pay $1.75 per hour for up to six hours of parking. After six hours, visitors will have to insert a credit card in the pay station to add time.

The Marina Park project, which encompasses 10.5 acres along Balboa Boulevard, includes a public park, a 24,000-square-foot community and sailing center, a 23-slip marina and a marine-themed playground.

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New code enforcement officers to target water wasters

In an effort to further reduce residential and commercial water use, the City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved adding two part-time code enforcement officers at a cost of $14,300 a month to issue citations to water wasters.

Newport Beach’s cumulative water savings from June to September was 22.1%, falling short of a state-mandated goal, according to data from the State Water Resources Control Board.

The board has ordered Newport, which serves 66,219 water customers, to cumulatively cut 28% of its use from June this year to February 2016, compared with that period two years ago. Newport met the goal in July but has missed the mark every other month. Cities that don’t meet their cumulative reduction mandates could face hefty fines from the state, water officials have said.

In response, Newport city staff launched a communication campaign, placing hangers on doors and signs around the city to encourage residents to conserve. Beginning this month, residents are allowed to water their lawns only one day a week, down from two days.

The city also is ramping up enforcement against home and business owners who habitually use more than their allotted amount of water. The city has been using temporary part-time student aides to support the conservation effort, but city staff says it needs code enforcement officers who can issue citations.

Code officers will issue “fix it” tickets to residents who have not met conservation targets.

Residents who receive a ticket will have 60 days to reduce their water use to avoid a fine, which can range from $100 to $500. City officials anticipate that about 100 tickets will be issued each week, according to a staff report.

The officers are expected to hit the streets in December. Their contract is for up to 19 months.