A quick look at the things that made news this week in Newport Beach:
– The Newport Beach City Council is seeking bids from private companies to take over the responsibility of trash collection within the city, the Daily Pilot reported.
In response to a study suggesting the city could save $410,000 annually if it sold their trash collection fleet for $6 million, the council is considering two different forms of trash pick up from its bidders. One would be the status quo: Sorted recycling and the use of residents’ own containers. The other would have residents choose between differently sized trash carts and optional recycling sorting.
Any outsourced contract would require the trash pickup provider to offer employment to the city’s previous trash collector workers, said Mayor Keith Curry.
– The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this week to oppose the proposed ban of fire pits on Orange County beaches.
Several supervisors suggested the issue should be handled locally, in accordance with each city’s desires to retain fire rings or not.
The South Coast Air Quality Management has scheduled a hearing open to the public to discuss the issue on Friday, May 3 and will vote on the issue June 7.
– The Newport Beach Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint Friday, April 26, at Jamboree Road and Santa Barbara Drive, near the police department between 8:30 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Funding for the checkpoint is provided via a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
– Brian Eberhardt, a Newport Beach police dispatcher, was name the 2013 Dispatcher of the Year by the California Public Safety Radio Association, Southern California chapter.
Eberhardt has been a member of the Communications Center since 2006. He serves as a Communications training officer. He was selected as Newport Beach Police Department’s Dispatcher of the Year last year.
– The Newport Beach Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration are providing the opportunity for people to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bring medications for disposal to Oasis Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Ave. in Corona del Mar.
— Compiled by Justin Swanson
