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Community Members:
All of our City departments went above and beyond in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that was especially true for the Newport Beach Fire Department. The volume of calls and demand for services for our firefighters, emergency medical personnel and lifeguards were higher than ever, and the type of response dictated by the pandemic was different than any of our staff had experienced in their careers. Department employees met these challenges at every turn, transporting patients for emergency medical care through each new wave of cases, setting up COVID testing sites and, as the first vaccines were distributed, getting quickly trained to administer vaccines, host local clinics and assist with the setup and administration of the County’s supersites.
In addition to providing emergency medical services throughout COVID, Newport Beach firefighters were deployed in a mutual aid capacity throughout the state in response to the devastating, record-breaking wildfire season that began in late 2020. The Fire Department was also closely involved in responding to the oil spill that occurred off the coast of Orange County in October 2021.
This unique period is captured in an excellent publication developed by the Fire Department and recently released to the public, the 2020-21 Annual Report.
The report captures significant events from the pandemic years, key data points and statistics, along with an overview of the many important services provided by the department beyond emergency response, such as community outreach, public education, and enforcement/inspection. I encourage you to take a look at the report for an impressive overview of how the Newport Beach Fire Department served the Newport Beach community in 2020 and 2021. And I offer my thanks and congratulations to all of our Fire Department employees for their excellent work and dedicated service to our community, especially during such extremely challenging time.
City Manager, Grace K. Leung
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The City's Community Development Department has introduced a new queueing system at the Permit Center.
Customers visiting the Permit Center can now choose to receive text message notifications via mobile device, guiding them throughout the visit. Customers will be notified as they are checked in, called for service at the counter, or transferred to a different department staff member. A final text message will notify that service has been completed, including a link to our customer satisfaction survey
This new feature enables visitors to step away from the lobby while waiting for service. Future enhancements will allow the option to check-in with a mobile device or from our new stationary kiosk. Our goal is to provide a better overall experience when doing business at the Permit Center. The system also tracks the applicants' wait times, which will help the City better serve visitors and continue to improve the Permit Center experience.
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Each year following the Newport Beach Youth Track & Field Meet of Champions, the Recreation & Senior Services Department gives the Spirit Award to a Newport Beach school for overall participation and achievement during the meet. This year’s winner, for the first time in school history, was Newport Coast Elementary, led by Coach Rita Lee.
All schools with athletes who compete in the City’s meet are eligible to win the Spirit Award. The winner is determined by tallying scores for each athlete who places 1st through 6th place. This perpetual trophy has been awarded since 2006 and is held on display at the victor’s school until the following year’s event. Congratulations to the Newport Coast Coyotes Track Club!
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 Youth Participant Holding a Snake
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 Over spring break, City camp participants visited Knott’s Berry Farm for roller coasters and the boysenberry festival. Meanwhile, Newport Coast Community Center was filled with excitement and eagerness from Preschool Campers waiting to touch and hold a variety of animals, including a tarantula and a python. The fun will continue this summer with over 400 camps to choose from. Register today at Campnewport.com.
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The City's beach maintenance crews are attending to the shoreline and grooming our beaches in preparation for the summer tourist season. Wind fencing installed in the fall to reduce windblown sand along the Oceanfront Boardwalk and many of street ends is being removed to increase accessibility.
The protective sand berms at the Balboa Pier are getting a touch-up as well, since regular foot traffic and winds continually lower their height. Berms need to be monitored and maintained to keep high surf from flooding parking lots, homes and businesses.
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In the Back Bay, the log trash boom installed before every winter season is being removed in preparation for summer recreational activities at the Aquatic Center and Back Bay. The log boom is placed at the San Diego Creek and is used to catch debris that flows down the river during the rainy season. On average, the log boom collects around 250 cubic yards of debris a year, and amount that would fill 22 large dump trucks.
City trash cans and fire rings removed during the winter to be cleaned, repaired, and repainted were recently re-installed or replaced as needed.
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 “There’s no substitute for blood. When a patient receives blood, it was given in advance by a generous donor.” – American Red Cross
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On Thursday, May 28, the Newport Beach Police Department hosted an American Red Cross Blood Drive. The event included blood donations from employees as well as the public. We are grateful for the commitment of each person to help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. |
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You're Invited to 'Touch a Truck' at May 14 Event
Please join us for a "Touch a Truck" event on Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Balboa Pier parking lot in celebration of National Public Works Week.
It will be a hands-on opportunity to get up close to heavy trucks and equipment -- and learn how they are used to keep Newport Beach maintained.
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Bring your family and friends out to Marina Park to enjoy a screening of Luca on Friday, May 13. The event will begin at 6:45 p.m. with showtime at 7:45 p.m. Fun activities, free popcorn and food will be available for purchase. Bring a chair and blanket to enjoy the evening at Marina Park!
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In response to continued drought conditions, we are continuing to ask residents and businesses to reduce water wherever possible.
Future mandated drought water restrictions are very likely and we are awaiting further information from the state.
In the meantime, the City suggests that you review your outdoor water use for landscaping.
- Do you see water running down the gutter after your sprinklers go on?
- Are your sprinklers over-spraying onto your driveway and sidewalk?
- Do you hear a “squish” sound when you walk on your grass after watering?
- Have you talked to your gardener about reducing your water use?
- Did you know if you reduce your outdoor watering time by 1min on a 5min watering cycle, you’ll use 20% less water?
For water saving programs and rebates visit ocwatersmart.com. If you would like a free inspection or review from our Utilities Department staff regarding your water use, please feel free to contact us at (949) 644-3011.
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The Be Well mobile crisis response team is now operating in Newport Beach 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to mental and behavioral health crises. The mobile unit is staffed with mental health specialists and EMTs, and works closely with the City’s police and fire departments.
This week the Be Well team:
- Transported a man experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach to a psychiatric facility. He is now housed through a conservatorship.
- Transported a man experiencing homelessness to the hospital for treatment. He is now housed through a recuperative care program.
- Provided First Aid to one person experiencing homelessness.
- Conducted 19 outreach interactions with residents and people experiencing homelessness.
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The City of Newport Beach provides a comprehensive response to address homelessness through a coordinated effort by City staff, contractors, partner agencies and nonprofit groups.
This week the City’s homeless outreach and response teams:
- Secured permanent housing for two women who experienced homelessness in Newport Beach. One had been homeless for 7 years; the other for 5 years.
- Referred two unsheltered people to the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter for temporary housing and services. As of this week, 17 people who had been experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach are now sheltered in the facility.
- Provided support services for two newly housed clients.
To donate to those experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach, please visit our Good Giving Program web page.
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Serve Your Community! Apply Now for Vacant Seats on Boards, Commissions
The City of Newport Beach is currently accepting applications to fill the following upcoming vacancies (all terms are for four-years, expiring June 30, 2026):
- Board of Library Trustees (one seat)
- Building and Fire Board of Appeals (two seats)
- City Arts Commission (one seat)
- Civil Service Board (one seat)
- Harbor Commission (three seats)
- Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission (two seats)
- Planning Commission (one seat)
All seats will become vacant when the existing terms expire on June 30, 2022.
All applicants must be qualified electors of the City, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in City government (Section 702 of the City Charter).
The deadline for filing applications is noon on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. The application and additional information about the Boards and Commissions can be found at http://www.newportbeachca.gov/vacancy or by calling 949-644-3005. The application and information about the Boards and Commissions can also be accessed through the City’s website at http://www.newportbeachca.gov/bcc.
For more information, contact the City Clerk's Office at 949-644-3005.
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On the Agenda:
City Council Meeting for May 10, 2022
Our next City Council meeting is Tuesday, May 10. Items of interest are highlighted below. The entire agenda and reports can be viewed here.
A study session will begin at 4 p.m. Agenda items include:
- Residential refuse program update. Staff from the Public Works Department will present an update on changes to the City's residential waste and recycling program implemented during the past several months to bring Newport Beach in compliance with new state laws mandating the recycling of organic waste. This agenda item was continued from the April 26 Council meeting.
- Short-term lodging permit transfers. City staff will discuss how short-term lodging permits may be transferred under the City's municipal code when a home changes owners, the number of permit transfers that occur, and how Newport Beach's practices compare to neighboring cities.
The regular session begins at 6 p.m.
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This Week’s Events
MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022
LIBRARY LECTURE HALL DESIGN COMMITTEE MEETING
1 p.m.
Crystal Cove Conference Room, Bay 2D
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
4 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022
HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING
5 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MEETING
10 a.m.
Zoom
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
3 p.m.
Civic Center Community Room
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
CITY ARTS COMMISSION MEETING
5 p.m.
Central Library
1000 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92660
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
6:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
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@cityofnewportbeach
WWW.NEWPORTBEACHCA.GOV | 949-644-3309 | 100 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660
© 2021 City of Newport Beach, All Rights Reserved
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