Update

Follow-up on the news

IRVINE

Status of Council Aides Is Changed

Issue: City council aides

Background: In September, 1984, the City Council approved a program giving aides the status of independent contractors in order to give council members more flexibility in hiring and assigning their work. Council aides work an average 21 hours per week and are paid $15.20 per hour.

Development: In order to comply with new Internal Revenue Service guidelines, the council recently approved a resolution changing the status of aides from contract employees to temporary part-time employees. That change will require the city to contribute to Medicare and the Public Agency Retirement System for these newly classified employees.

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WESTMINSTER

Interviews Begin at Seniors Complex

Issue: Affordable housing for seniors

Background: In 1991, the Redevelopment Agency purchased a 1.75-acre lot on 13th and Monroe streets as a potential site for a housing project for low- and middle-income seniors. In September, 1993, city officials broke ground for the Rose Gardens, a 132-unit complex that is expected to be completed in early 1995. Total construction cost is estimated at $8.6 million. Once completed, the complex will be managed by Elderly Development Westminster and will offer one-bedroom apartments, ranging in size from 481 to 512 square feet. Rents range from $375 to $575 a month. Each unit will include living and dining areas, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

Development: More than 300 prospective tenants so far have submitted applications, and Elderly Development Westminster has begun interviews. A task force has been created to consider such issues as maintenance, security, emergency assistance, eligibility, deposits and pets. Tenants are expected to start arriving in January, officials said.

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LAGUNA NIGUEL

Ballet Prodigy Needs Aid for Bolshoi Study

Issue: Teen-age ballet dancer Ryan Turley’s planned trip to study with the Bolshoi Ballet

Background: Turley, 15, is one of the best young ballet dancers in the country. He currently is studying at the San Francisco Ballet School. He has been invited by the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet to travel to Russia in February and train with the company.

Development: Turley’s journey may have to be put on hold because his family has had trouble finding the money to finance the trip. His family plans to hold fund-raisers to collect money to help Ryan, who has dreamed about dancing with the Bolshoi since he began lessons at San Clemente’s Coast Ballet Academy nearly four years ago. He has participated in Bolshoi Ballet training camps in Colorado in past summers.

--COMPILED BY BERT ELJERA, LYNN FRANEY AND RUSS LOAR