Community Members:

The Newport Beach Fire Department (NBFD) has updated the City of Newport Beach's “Ready, Set, Go!” web resource with important information on wildfire and evacuation preparation, including:

• How to “harden” your home by creating a line of defense against airborne embers, and other steps to defend your property against wildfires.
• How to plan and prepare in advance for evacuations.
• Safety measures to help protect your home when wildfires are approaching. 
• How to evacuate your home safely and efficiently.
• Evaluating the wildfire risk to your home through a self-assessment tool, along with strategies to mitigate those risks. 
• Scheduling a thorough, detailed home evaluation with an NBFD fire inspector.
• Obtaining a permit through the SAVERS (Screen and Vent Electronic Reporting System) program. Homeowners can obtain a permit through online self-certification to present to their insurers. 

Taking steps now to become more prepared will greatly benefit you, your family and your community in the event of a wildfire or other natural disaster. 

City Manager, Grace K. Leung

The Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) will host the next Mobile Café event on Saturday, October 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Balboa Island Fire Station, 124 Marine Ave. 

The NBPD's Mobile Café events allow for relaxed, one-on-one interaction and an opportunity for community members to learn more about the department’s work. It is a comfortable setting to ask questions, bring concerns, build relationships, and get to know the officers who serve our community.

Please join us for coffee and conversation. We hope to see you there!

For questions, contact NBPD Sgt. Steve Oberon.

The June 2023 Treasury Report is available on the City’s website at  www.newportbeachca.gov/treasury.

As of June, the City’s investment portfolio totaled $384.4 million when measured at amortized cost. The current market value of the City’s portfolio of $374.3 million incorporates price fluctuations, due to the changing interest rate environment, that are typically irrelevant since the City usually holds its securities to maturity and receives the full principal value at that time.

The City’s Liquidity Portfolio is sized to meet the City’s cash flow needs over the next 12 months. Approximately $46.5 million, or 12% of the portfolio, was invested in liquid investments available for day-to-day operating expenses and the costs associated with ongoing construction projects. An additional $56.4 million, or 15% of the overall portfolio, was invested in a portfolio of securities with targeted short-term maturities, which earns a higher yield than the City’s more liquid investments. 

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 works closely with the City’s police and fire departments.

This week, the Be Well team:

• Collaborated with the County of Orange Crisis Assessment Team to place a person into a psychiatric facility for treatment.
• Transported two people to a crisis stabilization facility to resolve mental health crises.
• Transported two people to the sobering station at the Be Well campus for treatment.

TO REACH BE WELL: The mobile crisis team is dispatched through the Newport Beach Police Department. To request service, dial 911 or call the Police Department's non-emergency line at 949-644-3717. 

The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, October 24. Items of interest are highlighted below. The entire agenda and reports can be viewed here.

A study session will begin at 4 p.m.:

• Potential changes to the Newport Beach Municipal Code and City Council policies. The  Council Ad Hoc Municipal Code and Council Policy Review Committee, in consultation with City staff and certain Boards and Commissions, has proposed recommended changes that can be found on the City Council Agenda.

The regular meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. Agenda items include:

• A $1.08-million contract award to Green Giant Landscape, Inc. of La Habra, to construct eight pickleball courts at Newport Ridge Park, a private park in the Newport Coast community. Under a lease agreement between the City and the homeowners association, six courts will be available for general public use, with two reserved for members of the local homeowners association.  
  
  
• A $3.4-million contract award to Irvine-based T.E. Roberts, Inc. to replace Balboa Island water main pipes and improve the Shorecliff community water system. 

  This project will replace older, deteriorated water mains on Balboa Island, replace a short section of water main on Evening Canyon Road, and build two new water pressure regulating stations in the Shorecliff and Cameo Shores area.

• Year-end budget results and surplus allocation. The Council will receive a report on revenues, expenditures and estimated fund balance for the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2022-23. The City projects a General Fund operating budget surplus of $11.6 million for FY 2022-23, $3.8 million higher than anticipated. Per Council policy, the City's Finance Committee has recommended that the surplus be allocated to long-term liabilities (50%) and infrastructure or neighborhood capital improvements (50%).
  
  
• Annual review of zoning agreement for Sierra by the Sea. City staff conducts an annual review of the organization's operations and requirements under the zoning agreement. 
  
  
• City Arts Commission sculpture exhibition funding. Staff is seeking City Council direction on a request from the Arts Commission for an additional $24,000 in funding for the next phase of the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park.