Community Members:

For the past several weeks, City staff members have been engaged in planning efforts to help ensure a safe, fun, family-friendly Fourth of July holiday in Newport Beach.

This year promises to be another fun-filled weekend, with events that include the 11th Annual 4th of July is for Families Newport Peninsula Bike Parade and Festival from 9 to 11:30 a.m., 49th Annual Mariners Park Independence Day Parade and Celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the American Legion’s Old Glory Boat Parade in Newport Harbor from 1 to 3:30 p.m., the Condor Squadron WWII North American AT-6 Coastal Flyover at 5:35 p.m. (approximate), and the Fireworks Extravaganza at the Newport Dunes at 9 p.m.  

As in past years, the West Newport/Balboa Peninsula safety enhancement zone will be in effect for the area bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south, 32nd Street and Newport Boulevard on the east, W. Coast Highway on the north, and 54th Street on the west. The safety enhancement zone designation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on July 4 to 3 a.m. on July 5. Fines within this area are triple the normal amount and can be up to $3,000. 

The City has enacted stringent policies to disband unruly parties and address rowdy behavior to help provide a more enjoyable holiday for everyone. Please visit the West Newport/Balboa Peninsula holiday information page to learn more about public safety procedures for this area of the city, along with road closures to help manage increased traffic and parade activities.

As a reminder:

• All fireworks are prohibited. It is illegal to possess or use fireworks in Newport Beach. This includes “safe and sane” fireworks such as fountains and sparklers that can be purchased in nearby cities. Please do not call 911 to report seeing or hearing fireworks. If you know the know the exact location of the source of the fireworks, call the Police Department's non-emergency number, 949-644-3717, to make a report.
• The loud and unruly gatherings ordinance will be enforced. Property owners and/or party hosts are responsible for the conduct of their guests. Loud and raucous parties requiring a police response could result in citation or arrest of those present and/or fines for both property owners and tenants.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in public areas. Possessing open containers or drinking alcoholic beverages on streets, sidewalks or other public areas is prohibited. Violators are subject to citation or arrest.
• It is illegal to throw water balloons or use squirt guns and garden hoses to spray pedestrians, bicyclists or vehicles.  Violators are subject to citation or arrest.

For more information, please see this flier or visit the City’s web site. If you have any questions or concerns about the July 4 safety procedures and precautions, please call the Newport Beach Police Department’s non-emergency number at 949-644-3717 or contact Sgt. Adam Dudash, the Police Department’s July 4 planning coordinator, at adudash@nbpd.org or 949-644-3730.

.City Manager, Grace K. Leung

Heal the Bay's annual Beach Report Card, which reports on water quality at ocean beaches, was released earlier this week (read more) and Crystal Cove and Corona del Mar made the honor roll.

To earn a spot on the honor roll, a beach must be monitored weekly all year and must receive an A+ for all seasons and weather conditions. 

Newport Beach's report card for this year is shown below.

The Be Well mobile crisis response team operates 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 one person to a crisis stabilization unit for care.
• Transported two people to the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter for intake.
• Transported two people to the sobering station at the Be Well campus.
• Transported eight people to services, shelter intakes, and appointments.
• Conducted 17 outreach interactions with residents and people experiencing homelessness.

On the Agenda: City Council Meeting for June 28, 2022

Our next City Council meeting is Tuesday, June 28.  Items of interest are highlighted below. The entire agenda and reports can be viewed here.

A closed session will begin at 4 p.m. followed by the regular session at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include:

• Newport Pier and McFadden Plaza area rehabilitation study. The City Council will consider a $198,500 contract with SWA Group of Laguna Beach to study potential improvements to the Newport Pier and surrounding areas.
• Tustin Avenue street closure. The Council will consider a staff recommendation to remove temporary barricades at the north end of Tustin Avenue at Cliff Drive and reopen the roadway to vehicle traffic, which would conclude a trial street closure.
• Balboa Island bench replacement. The Council will review recommendations by an ad-hoc subcommittee regarding the replacement of benches on Balboa Island located in public areas.
• Annual appointments to boards and commissions. The Council will vote on appointments to the Board of Library Trustees, Building and Fire Board of Appeals, City Arts Commission, Civil Service Board, Harbor Commission, Planning Commission, and Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission.
• Annual appointments to committees. Council members will consider appointments to the Finance and Aviation committees.
• Drought-related water declaration. The Council will vote on a staff recommendation to declare “no surplus water” and a level two water shortage, and direct staff to implement additional water use restrictions and public education to encourage water conservation.