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Community Members:
This week I would like to recognize and congratulate three City employees who recently earned statewide recognition in their respective fields:
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Fire Chief Jeff Boyles – 2025 California Fire Chief of the Year. Newport Beach Fire Department Chief Boyles was honored with the Ronny J. Coleman Fire Chief of the Year Award at the annual California Fire Chiefs Association conference. The award recognizes exemplary leadership, innovation, and service in advancing the fire profession across all levels of government. Chief Boyles joined the NBFD in 2000, rose through the ranks and has served as the department's top leader since 2019. In accepting the award, Chief Boyles credited the outstanding efforts of Fire Department staff along with the support of City leadership and the community.
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Fire Marshal James Gillespie – Commitment to Excellence Award.
Also recognized at the fire chiefs conference, Fire Marshal Gillespie received a Commitment to Excellence Award for his leadership as a founding member of the California Fire Chiefs Association Fire Marshal Section. His work has strengthened fire prevention efforts statewide and established a foundation for future innovation and collaboration among fire professionals.
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Code Enforcement Officer Jeffrey Goldfarb – 2025 California Code Enforcement Officer of the Year. The California Association of Code Enforcement Officers named Jeffrey Goldfarb of the City's Harbor Department its 2025 Code Enforcement Officer of the Year at the organization’s annual convention. Since joining the City in 2020, Officer Goldfarb has played a key role in building the Harbor Code Enforcement team and improving service delivery to the harbor community. His achievements include establishing the Southern California Dilapidated and Transient Vessel Working Group, developing an inspection program for local and transient boaters, creating the Inoperable Vessel Abatement Program and designing training programs for harbor operations. He is widely recognized as an expert in boating enforcement and frequently provides guidance to other agencies on complex maritime code issues.
These employees exemplify the professionalism, dedication and high standards that define the City of Newport Beach workforce. Please join me in thanking Chief Boyles, Fire Marshal Gillespie and Officer Goldfarb for their exceptional leadership and service.
City Manager, Grace K. Leung
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Harbor Department Code Enforcement Officer Jeffrey Goldfarb (left photo) was named the 2025 California Code Enforcement Officer of the Year. Fire Marshal James Gillespie and Fire Chief Jeff Boyles (right photo; left to right) were recognized with top awards at the annual California Fire Chiefs Association conference.
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The Newport Beach Animal Shelter is seeking qualified volunteers to assist with animal care and shelter operations.
Volunteers assist with dog walking, cat care and socialization, laundry, cleaning and organizing between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. seven days a week.
Applicants to the volunteer program must be 18 or older, have valid health insurance, and an up-to-date tetanus vaccination. All volunteers will be fingerprinted by the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) as part of the application process. The shelter is operated by the NBPD.
To apply, visit this page on the NBPD website. Shelter staff will contact applicants to schedule an orientation.
Please share this opportunity with friends, family and others who may be interested in volunteering.
For more information, contact the Newport Beach Animal Shelter at (949) 718-3454 or email ACO@NBPD.org.
 
A subcommittee of the City's Harbor Commission is seeking public input on potential revisions to harbor-related sections of the Newport Beach Municipal Code.
A public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 10 in the Bay Island Room at Marina Park, 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., to gather input.
Public participation is a key component in the development of any recommended revisions. Following public input, the subcommittee will finalize recommendations and present them to the full Harbor Commission for consideration.
The agenda and associated meeting materials can be found on the Harbor Department’s website.
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General Plan Comments Due Nov. 17 Following Open House Events
On October 21 and 22, the City hosted open houses -- one in-person and one virtual -- on the draft 2050 General Plan.
The draft reflects hundreds of community comments, guidance from the General Plan Advisory Committee and General Plan Update Steering Committee, and extensive research and analysis.
Each open house event provided an overview of the General Plan Update process, including how community input informed the draft, proposed updates to each element and goals for each element.
Resources from the open houses are now available for review on the Newport, Together website, including informational boards on each element and a video recording of the virtual open house.
The City invites the public to review the draft elements and resources and to provide comments by Monday, November 17.
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OC Health Care Agency Reports First Human West Nile Virus Case of 2025
An Anaheim resident over the age of 80 has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), marking the first confirmed human case in Orange County this year. The virus can be transmitted from mosquitoes to humans.
The person experienced headache and neurologic symptoms and was hospitalized with encephalitis, a serious brain inflammation linked to the virus. Orange County reported just one human case of West Nile virus and no related deaths in 2024.
OC Health recommends that residents throughout Orange County take the following precautions to reduce the risk of contracting WNV:
- Emptying all standing water on your property to reduce areas in which mosquitoes may breed, including flowerpot saucers and pet bowls.
- Making sure your window and door screens are in good condition.
- Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or products containing IR3535, always following label directions.
- Limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
Most people who become infected with WNV do not experience symptoms. However, one in five may develop fever and experience headache, body aches, nausea, tiredness and sometimes a skin rash. In rare cases, WNV can lead to serious complications such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Symptoms of severe illness may include: severe headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness or paralysis. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical care.
More information on mosquito control is available on the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s website at www.ocvector.org.
The City will have two in-person voting sites for the upcoming Statewide Special Election as well as ballot drop boxes available to voters.
Local voting center locations include:
- Marina Park Community Center, 1600 W. Balboa Blvd.
- Saturday, Oct. 25 - Friday, Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 1 - Monday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- The Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Dr.
- Saturday, Nov. 1 - Monday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ballot Drop Boxes are available at the following locations:
- Bob Henry Park
- Newport Beach Public Library
- OASIS Senior Center Auxiliary Parking Lot
- Sidewalk - Corner of Avon St & Riverside Ave
Please contact the Newport Beach City Clerk’s Office at 949-644-3005 for additional information.
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The next meeting of the Newport Beach City Council will be on Tuesday, November 4 at 4 p.m. The full agenda is available here.
Agenda items include:
- A Study Session on the Corona del Mar Commercial Corridor Study. The study, initiated in June 2024, provides recommendations on zoning, parking and infrastructure changes to support the implementation of a successful, vibrant, walkable and connected “main street” destination. Staff will present the results of the study, including feedback from various outreach events, and receive input regarding potential implementation of the study’s recommendations. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on recommendations identified in the study. For more information on the CdM Commercial Corridor Study visit: www.newportbeachca.gov/cdmstudy.
- A water well permit and encroachment agreement with the City of Fountain Valley and a declaration of intent to issue tax-exempt bonds. The agreement would approve permits for the construction and maintenance of a new municipal water well at 17902 Bushard Street in Fountain Valley in partnership with the Laguna Beach County Water District. Under a cooperative agreement approved in 2024, Newport Beach is leading the project’s planning, design and construction in coordination with Laguna Beach. The new well would help strengthen both cities' long-term water reliability and reduce dependence on imported water supplies from Northern California and the Colorado River. The City Council will also decide whether to allow early project costs to be reimbursed through bond financing if needed. Once complete, the well is expected to enhance local water supply security, provide cost savings and ensure greater local control over water resources.
- An ordinance and resolution designed to increase the safe operation of bicycles and electric bicycles in public rights-of-way, address the growing use of electric bicycles and improve safety for all riders. The ordinance would update the City’s bicycle regulations to include electric bicycles, require helmets for all riders under 18, outline unsafe riding behaviors and allow bicycle impoundment or safety training programs for minors who violate the rules. A companion resolution would expand the number of streets where sidewalk cycling is permitted to help less-experienced riders travel safely along busy corridors.
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 This week, the City’s homeless outreach and response teams:
- Continue to support a person in a motel while awaiting a placement at a shelter.
- Enrolled four people into services.
- Continued to shelter people. Fifteen people who had been experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach are sheltered in the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.
Click here to view the latest homeless dashboard, which includes key monthly and yearly data on the City's homeless response.
Click here for information on the City's Good Giving program.
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 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3
CIVIL SERVICE BOARD
5 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
4 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
GENERAL PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
4 p.m.
Civic Center Community Room
1000 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92660
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6
WATER QUALITY COASTAL TIDELANDS COMMITTEE MEETING
3 p.m.
Crystal Cove Conference Room, Bay 2D
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
6 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE
1 - 4 p.m.
Newport Beach Central Library, Friends Meeting Room
1000 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92660
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Newport Beach Central Library, Friends Meeting Room
1000 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92660
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@cityofnewportbeach
WWW.NEWPORTBEACHCA.GOV | 949-644-3309 | 100 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660
© 2024 City of Newport Beach, All Rights Reserved
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