NEWPORT BEACH

The City Council recently opted not to undertake a comprehensive review of the way it manages the city’s shoreline and waterways, deciding instead to focus on the 66 commercial permits in the harbor. An updated appraisal, required by council policy every 10 years, may result in an increase in the 28-cents-per-square-foot fee for boat slips. Council members also want to see the harbor permits, which are renewed by the city every year, converted to long-term leases. A report on the types of leases that could be used, as well as the proposed appraisal, could take several weeks. The bills for commercial harbor permits have already gone out for 1999, so any changes could not take effect until Jan. 1.