Nancy Gardner

Nancy Gardner
District 6 (Corona del Mar, Newport Coast)
Incumbent, running unopposed

Name: Nancy Gardner

Birthplace: Newport Beach

How long have you lived in Newport Beach? I was born here, went to school here, went off to college and work, and came back in 1984

Occupation: retired, was in marketing

Education: bachelor’s degree from USC; master’s degree from UC Irvine

Previously elected or appointed positions: Newport Beach City Council, before that co-chairwoman, General Plan Advisory Committee, member of Coastal/Bay Water Quality Committee

Community organizations you belong to: I stepped off all boards when I was elected to council. Prior to that, I was a member of the steering committee of the Newport Beach chapter of Surfrider, on the board of the Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation, and a member of the Orange Coast River Park steering committee.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing Newport Beach right now? Our most immediate issue is the budget. With the economy still sluggish we must keep a sharp eye on expenses. Longer term, John Wayne A is always at the top of the list. Other issues include dredging of the lower bay to insure the viability of the harbor, diversifying water sources to increase the safety of our water supply, dealing with pension costs and resolving lingering group home issues.

With the John Wayne Airport Settlement Agreement up for renegotiation in 2015, what should the city ask for to limit the environmental impacts to Newport Beach residents?

Obviously, we want to keep the terms of the current agreement. To do that, we must continue to work on multiple fronts including our ongoing efforts to get other cities to join us, so that as a county we present a united front.

How do you envision the future of Banning Ranch, and what should the city do to accomplish that?

There are two options: purchase for open space or development. Either way, oil operations will be consolidated, and there will be extensive remediation of the area. At least half the area will remain open space, which will be managed by a nonprofit with expertise in habitat protection and recreational access, and there will be sports fields. The city has hired a consultant to explore funding sources such as bond funds and conservation organizations. If funds can be found to buy the property, the area will remain undeveloped except for the trails, playing fields, etc. In that case, funds must also be found for the cleanup of the oil fields, and the nonprofit managing the open space will need funding for ongoing maintenance. If purchase funds cannot be found, there will be some development. Even then, more than half the space will remain undeveloped. In this case, the developer would pay for the cleanup of the oil operations as part of the project.