Update

Follow-up on the news

Cemetery Expansion Plan Still Alive

Issue: Expansion of Pacific View Memorial Park.

Background: Cemetery officials have been negotiating design issues with residents for about 14 months.

Most residents’ objections are based on the prospect of being able to see mausoleums from their $1-million-plus homes.

The plan went through several design changes and Planning Commission hearings, emerging with most neighboring residents in support.

Development: The City Council postponed approval of the 15-year build-out until June 12.

Councilwoman Jean H. Watt asked City Atty. Robert Burnham to go over the development agreement to make sure it conforms to what residents now expect.

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Library Construction Approved by Council

Issue: A new library for the city.

Background: City officials have long wanted to build a large library in the city. Residents have complained that the existing library, operated by the Orange County Public Library System, is too small.

Update: After searching two years for ways to pay for a new library, the City Council agreed last week to designate $6 million of the proposed 1995-96 budget for the project.

Officials said construction will begin in January on the 25,000-square-foot library.

City leaders said several money issues have yet to be resolved, however, particularly finding a way to pay for books and staffing.

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Squad Cars to Get Video Cameras

Issue: Mounting video cameras on 29 Newport Beach police cars.

Background: In June, the City Council endorsed a plan to install video cameras behind the windshields of patrol cars and rig them to go on simultaneously with the cars’ rooftop lights. The cameras also could be turned on at an officer’s discretion.

The goal was to save the city money on civil lawsuits by discouraging false accusations of police abuse and improprieties in the field. Videotapes also would provide evidence in criminal cases.

Development: The City Council approved the plan last month, voting to spend $197,000 on the system.

That would include an extended maintenance contract that would cost $230 per camera in the second year of use and $292.50 per camera in the third year.

Savings, though difficult to measure, are projected over a period of time to total millions of dollars in civil claims and litigation.

--COMPILED BY HOLLY J. WAGNER AND FRANK MESSINA