October 28, 2025
Agenda Item No. S21
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Grace K. Leung, City Manager - 949-644-3001, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Alexandra Delmonico, Management Fellow – 949-644-3313, [email protected] TITLE:
Resolution No. 2025-75: Ratifying the Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency, and Declaring that the Local Emergency Shall Remain in Effect Until Terminated by the City Council ABSTRACT:
For the City Council’s consideration is the ratification and extension of the proclamation of a local emergency in accordance with Chapter 2.20 (Emergency Services) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code. The city manager, in her role as Director of Emergency Services, declared a local emergency after methane gas was detected at a residential home at 3606 Marcus Avenue on the Balboa Peninsula. The emergency declaration allows the City of Newport Beach (City) to take swift action to protect public health and safety and coordinate with regional and state agencies.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15269(c), 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. 2025-75, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Ratifying in its Entirety the Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency Issued by the Director of Emergency Services on October 22, 2025, and Declaring that the Local Emergency, Along with all Rules, Orders, and Regulations Issued by the Director of Emergency Services, Shall Remain in Effect Until the Emergency is Terminated by the City Council.
DISCUSSION:
On October 22, 2025, a local emergency was declared after methane seepage was detected at a residential home at 3606 Marcus Avenue on the Balboa Peninsula, believed to be caused by oil intrusion from an abandoned private oil well beneath the home. Out of an abundance of caution, several nearby homes on Marcus Avenue, Rialto and 36th Street have been temporarily evacuated, with the area being restricted to authorized personnel only.
Response crews from the City and multiple regulatory agencies are on the scene and assessing next steps. The City’s top priority is the health and safety of residents, hence the recommendation that City Council ratifies and declares that the local emergency remains in effect until conditions warrant termination of the emergency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15269(c) (the activity is necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency), 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment), and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential to have a significant effect on the environment.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A – Resolution No. 2025-75
S21-3
S21-1
Resolution No. 2025-75: Ratifying the Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency, and Declaring that the Local Emergency Shall Remain in Effect Until Terminated by the City Council October 28, 2025
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