Closed sessions go to the end

COSTA MESA — City Council closed sessions will now take place at the end of meetings rather than at the beginning so residents don’t have to wait as long for officials to get down to public business.

The City Council approved the change, among others, Tuesday evening with a 4-1 vote. Councilwoman Wendy Leece dissented.

Mayor Gary Monahan had asked the council to move the closed session to keep the meetings efficient and on time. During the past year, the council meetings, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., were delayed while the council members deliberated in closed session over a variety of issues, including contract negotiations and the failed attempt to buy the Orange County Fairgrounds.

The council also voted to add an announcement segment, where the public will be provided with upcoming events in the city. A regular 5:30 p.m. study session was eliminated.

The council reports were moved to the end of the meetings right before the city manager and city attorney’s reports.

In other city business, the council voted to accept a $350,000 grant from MiOcean Foundation, an Irvine-based nonprofit dedicated to curbing the effects of urban runoff from the county’s coastline. The funds will go toward building a water system for Fairview Park’s Wetlands and Riparian Habitat Project.

The council also voted to adopt plans for the Wilson Street rehabilitation project. Orange-based R.J. Noble Co. was chosen to construct the project, which will consist of repaving the street from Harbor Boulevard to Anaheim Avenue, for about $719,000. All of the funding came from federal grants, including $300,000 from the stimulus program.