Community Members: 

I would like to thank and recognize our residents who participated in the City’s summer reading program, and our Library Services staff for delivering another stellar series. The summer 2022 numbers were very impressive:

• Registration for the children’s summer reading program increased more than 15 percent from the previous year, with 1,249 children participating. The children’s program participation levels also increased significantly, with 9,052 books read (a 30% increase), 288,244 minutes logged (a 25% increase) and 1,465 book reviews submitted.
• Nearly 150 participated in the teen summer reading program, with 263 book reviews submitted. The Library had 72 teen volunteers assist with the children’s program, providing 641 volunteer hours of service.
• About 200 participated in the adult summer reading program, and 60 completed the program with at least 600 minutes of reading.

Congratulations to all the summer participants and thank you to our volunteers!

And as we move further into the school year, here are a few back-to-school resource suggestions for teachers, parents and students of all ages and reading levels:

• Visit our databases page for a full list of all database resources, organized by categories such as Art & Literature, Lifelong Learning Tools, Magazines and Newspapers, and Student Resources.
• The Databases for Kids web page focuses on specific databases helpful for elementary school-aged children.
• Databases for Teens includes resources helpful for teen learners.
• Educator and Student Services is a new resource through which teachers can request library visits, invite library staff to speak at school events, request resources for upcoming assignments, and find out how to obtain library cards for students.
• For children ages 4-12, our Back-to-School BINGO Reading Challenge runs through September 24.
• Accelerated Reading Level searching capability is now available in our online catalog.
• College Prep Resources includes information on our upcoming workshops: Paying for College and College Essay Writing.
• The pre-school reading program 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.
• And our teen reading challenge, 100 Books Before Graduation.

As always, our friendly and capable Library Services staff is here to help! For general questions and information, visit the Central Library or one of our branches, or call 949-717-3800.

City Manager, Grace K. Leung

The Mayor’s Youth Council is accepting applications for the 2022/23 school year through September 12. This educational program gives high school students an in-depth look at careers offered in local government and provides a forum to express opinions, creativity, and civic mindedness.

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:

• Reunified four people with their families.
• Transported two people to a crisis stabilization unit for treatment.
• Transported 11 people to services, shelter intakes, and appointments.

On the Agenda: City Council Meeting for Sept. 13

Our next City Council meeting is Tuesday, September 13. 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:

• Fractional homeownership. Staff will discuss how other jurisdictions are addressing the growing trend of fractional homeownership, where multiple owners purchase a property and split time at the property through a formal arrangement.   

The regular session begins at 5:30 p.m.  Agenda items include:

• A resolution to create a General Plan Advisory Committee. The 30-member citizen advisory committee would be charged with gathering community input on the General Plan update, reviewing and guiding changes to General Plan goals and policies, and making recommendations to the General Plan Update Steering Committee. 
• A public hearing on the 2021-2029 6th Cycle Housing Element. The Council will conduct a public hearing and vote on a resolution to amend and re-adopt the Housing Element of the General Plan, which will guide residential development in Newport Beach over the next several years. The version under consideration includes revisions made since the prior City Council adoption on February 8. Following Council approval, the state department of Housing and Community Development will consider final approval.