CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
December 12, 2023
Volume 66 - Page 9
I. ROLL CALL – 4:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Noah Blom, Mayor Pro Tem Will O’Neill, Councilmember Brad Avery, Councilmember Robyn Grant, Councilmember Lauren Kleiman, Councilmember Joe Stapleton, Councilmember Erik Weigand
II. INVOCATION – Reverend Canon Cindy Evans Voorhees, St. James Episcopal Church
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Blom
IV. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
Cooper Strull from Assemblywoman Diane Dixon ’s Office presented Mayor Blom with an Assembly Certificate of Recognition.
V. CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ORAL REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL ON
COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
Councilmember Stapleton:
• Hosted a Fentanyl Town Hall with Senator Janet Nguyen and also toured the border south of San Diego with the Senator
• Attended the Annual Lott IMPACT® Trophy Award Ceremony • Announced the 115th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Holiday Lights Cruise
Councilmember Grant:
• Attended the I-405 Improvement Project Grand Opening with Councilmember Weigand • Thanked City staff for working extremely hard this past year and looked forward to another year working with staff
• Wished everyone Happy Holidays
VI. MATTERS WHICH COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE ASKED TO BE PLACED ON A FUTURE
AGENDA (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM)
• Consider forming a City Council ad hoc committee to work with staff and provide guidance regarding Citywide transit, transportation, parking , and mobility enhancements to foster and improve connections and movement of residents and visitors between major activity areas, communities, and villages. Further duties would be to review, seek and identify potential funding sources to support such enha ncements including public and private grants and partnerships [Blom]
The City Council unanimously concurred to bring the matter back at a future meeting.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Jim Mosher suggested that Councilmembers review their dialogue in the draft minutes for transcription accuracy and discussed Item 3 (Ordinance No. 2023 -23: Newport Beach Municipal Code Amendments Related to Short Term Lodging).
VIII. CONSENT CALENDAR
January 9, 2024
Agenda Item No. 1
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READING OF MINUTES AND ORDINANCES
1. Minutes for the November 28, 2023 City Council Meeting Waive reading of subject minutes, approve as amended, and order filed.
2. Reading of Ordinances
Waive reading in full of all ordinances under consideration and direct the City Clerk to read by title only.
ORDINANCE FOR ADOPTION
3. Ordinance No. 2023 -23: Newport Beach Municipal Code Amendments Related to Short Term Lodging (PA2023-0116)
a) Find proposed amendments to the NBMC are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) and 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, because it would not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physi cal change in the environment and is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment; and b) Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2023 -23, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Approving a Code Amendment to Chapter 5.95 (Short Term Lodging Permit) and Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code Related to Short Term Lodging (PA2023-0116).
Mayor Blom recused himself from Item 3 due to real property interest conflicts.
RESOLUTION FOR ADOPTION
4. Resolution No. 2023 -85: Approving Revised Salary Schedules for Key and Management and Part-Time Employees (C-3362)
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Adopt Resolution No. 2023 -85, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Approving Revised Salary Schedules for Key and Management and Part -Time Employees.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
5. Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Services Agreement for Public Safety Helicopter Services Between the City of Huntington Beach and the City of Newport Beach (C-8285-2)
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Approve Amendment No. 1 to the services agreement for public safety helicopter services between the City of Huntington Beach and the City of Newport Beach in an amount not-to-exceed $225,000, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Amendm ent.
6. Approval of Vehicle Replacement Purchase Order for One Utility Truck with Aerial Device from Terex Utilities of Watertown, SD
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; b) Approve a purchase order for one utility truck with aerial device from Terex Utilities of Watertown, SD for a total amount of $205,935.65; and
c) Authorize a contingency of $10,500 (approximately 5% of the total quote) to cover the cost of unforeseen changes to the current quote.
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7. Purchase and Outfitting of Police Patrol Vehicles
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; b) Approve the purchase of five Dodge Durango police patrol vehicles from the National Auto Fleet Group of Watsonville using Sourcewell cooperative pricing, and authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase order in the amount of $281,093.56; and c) Approve Budget Amendment No. 24 -038 appropriating $27,500 in increased expenditures in Account No. 75304 -911024 from the Police Equipment Fund (Fund 753) balance to cover the costs of outfitting new patrol vehicles.
MISCELLANEOUS
8. Planning Commission Agenda for the December 7, 2023 Meeting Receive and file.
9. Designation of City’s Representatives Under California Government Code Section 54957.6(A)
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6(a), designate the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem as the City's designated representative for purposes of labor negotiations with all unrepresented employees including, but not limited to, the Key and Manageme nt Group, the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem O’Neill, seconded by Mayor Blom, to approve the Consent Calendar ; and noting the recusal by Mayor Blom to Item 3 and the amendments to Item 1.
The motion carried unanimously.
IX. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR – None
X. CURRENT BUSINESS
10. Resolution No. 2023 -86: Setting City Council Regular Meeting Dates for Calendar Year 2024
Jim Mosher suggested that City Council meetings take place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month and, if Council wished to move the meetings, he proposed moving both November meetings a week earlier.
Mayor Pro Tem O’Neill indicated that the November 12, 2024 City Council meeting cannot be moved a week earlier because the Presidential election is on November 5, 2024, and suggested keeping the first meeting on November 12, 2024, and moving the second meeting to November 19, 2024.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem O’Neill, seconded by Councilmember Stapleton, to a) determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly ; b) select November 19, 2024 as the date for the second meeting in November; and c) adopt Resolution No. 2023-85, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Setting the Time and Dates of City Council Regular Meetings for Calendar Year 2024.
The motion carried unanimously.
XI. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
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XII. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
Jim Mosher recapped the responsibility of the mayor pursuant to the City Charter , and asked where additional responsibilities can be found and why there should be more.
XIII. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
11. Presentation of Gavel Plaque to Outgoing Mayor Noah Blom and Remarks by Mayor Blom
Mayor Pro Tem O’Neill recognized and thanked Mayor Blom for his service to the City and presented Mayor Blom with a gavel plaque and an engraved hammer in recognition of his service as Mayor during 2023.
Councilmember Weigand commended Mayor Blom for his honorable service as Mayor and stated that he looks forward to working together in the future.
Mayor Blom relayed his amazing experiences during his term as Mayor and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
12. Election of Mayor
City Clerk Brown, in presiding, placed all members of the City Council on an equal basis to nominate and elect.
Councilmember Blom nominated Councilmember O’Neill for the position of Mayor.
Motion by Councilmember Blom, seconded by Councilmember Stapleton, to close nominations.
The motion carried unanimously.
Councilmember O’Neill was elected unanimously as the Mayor of the City of Newport Beach for 2023-2024 and took his proper place at the Council dais.
13. Election of Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor O’Neill, in presiding, placed all members of the City Council on an equal basis to nominate and elect.
Councilmember Avery nominated Councilmember Grant for the position of Mayor Pro Tem.
Councilmember Weigand nominated Councilmember Stapleton for the position of Mayor Pro Tem.
Councilmember Blom nominated Councilmember Kleiman for the position of Mayor Pro Tem.
Motion by Councilmember Weigand, seconded by Councilmember Stapleton, to close nominations.
The motion carried unanimously.
City Clerk Brown read the ballots as follows:
Robyn Grant – Avery, Grant
Lauren Kleiman – Blom, Kleiman
Joe Stapleton – O’Neill, Stapleton, Weigand
City Clerk Brown announced that a second vote was needed since no Councilmember received four votes, and read the second ballots as follows:
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Lauren Kleiman – Blom, Kleiman
Joe Stapleton – Avery, Grant, O’Neill, Stapleton, Weigand
Councilmember Stapleton was elected as the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Newport Beach for 2023-2024 and took his proper place at the Council dais.
14. Seating Arrangements for City Council
Councilmembers decided on the seating arrangement for the Council dais pursuant to City Council Policy A-1. The following seating order was determined:
Erik Weigand – Robyn Grant – Joe Stapleton – Will O’Neill – Brad Avery – Noah Blom – Lauren Kleiman
15. New Mayor Remarks
At the request of Mayor O’Neill, Senior Pastor at Mariners Church provided a prayer.
Mayor O’Neill thanked the Newport Beach voters, his colleagues, friends , and family; especially Jenny, Aubrey, and Sean. He stated Newport Beach is a City of resilience and high expectations and should remain a beacon of good governance . He noted plans to improve public safety with a state-of-the-art Police station, expand the digital footprint of the Police Department, replace the fire station and library at the end of the Balboa Peninsula, provide new ambulance service, and open the new Junior Lifeguard building.
Mayor O’Neill r ecognized volunteerism in the City , quoted Mister Rogers, encouraged celebrating volunteer efforts, and presented a Key to the City to Mario Marovic who exemplified what it means to be a helper.
Mario Marovic acknowledged trying times during the pandemic and at the start of Councilmember Blom’s term as Mayor, but people came together during these times of adversity to rise to the challenge; commended the City’s stable and strong leadership ; and expressed his appreciation for the Key to the City.
Mayor O’Neill announced that 2024 will be the year of finding, recognizing, and celebrating helpers in Newport Beach.
XIV. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION – None
XV. ADJOURNMENT – Adjourned at 4:49 p.m. in memory of Tim Hicks
The agenda was posted on the City's website and on the City Hall electronic bulletin board located in the entrance of the City Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive on December 6, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.
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Will O’Neill
Mayor
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Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk
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