CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
March 24, 2026
I. ROLL CALL — 4:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Lauren Kleiman, Mayor Pro Tem Noah Blom (arrived at 4:01 p.m.), Councilmember Michelle Barto, Councilmember Robyn Grant, Councilmember Joe Stapleton, Councilmember Sara J. Weber, Councilmember Erik Weigand INVOCATION — Dave Marine, Pastor Emeritus, Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Councilmember Weber
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA AND NON -AGENDA ITEMS
Jim Mosher questioned if the recent implementation of new safety enhancement zones has been effective, suggested the use of speaker cards in relation to Agenda Item 2 (Minutes for the March 10, 2026 City Council Meeting) for proper spelling of the speaker names.
Katherine Young spoke against construction of new cell phone towers near her neighborhood due to health and property value concerns.
David Brown strongly opposed new cell phone tower construction.
Donovan Aakus spoke regarding his lifelong residency in the City, advocated for honest government and opposed cell tower construction.
Dana Marseille expressed support for improved wireless connectivity while voicing concerns about the ordinances' limitations on public participation.
City Attorney Aaron Harp addressed a procedural question about the mayor's ability to respond to public comments, clarifying that brief responses directing staff are permissible under the Brown Act.
Chris Bliss referenced a video, commented regarding proposed mooring cost increases, and advocated for fair solutions.
Adam Leverenz presented slides, pointed out the inequity of mooring rates, and advocated for equitable treatment of mooring permit holders.
Michael Alti urged substantial increase in police enforcement against a -bikes on sidewalks and bike paths.
Bjorn Hazelquist proposed measures to enhance safety at the City's heavily surfed beaches.
CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ORAL REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL ON
COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
Councilmember Weigand
• Reported on Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District activities including approval of a design -build contract to rebuild the current headquarters and recent winter salt marsh mosquito activity as well as remediation.
City of Newport Beach
March 24, 2026
Councilmember Barto
• Attended the first Newport Harbor Farmers' Market off Dover Drive and commented that it was well organized.
Councilmember Grant
• Congratulated Utilities Director Mark Vukojevic on his presentation to Speak Up Newport regarding the City's water reliability.
• Attended the Newport Beach 1/1 Marines Foundation Mess Night.
Councilmember Stapleton
• Thanked the Newport Shores Community Association for hosting him at their annual meeting. • Thanked the Public Works department, Utilities department, and the Newport Beach Foundation for organizing a recent employee appreciation lunch.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Blom referenced Agenda Item 10 (Purchase of Replacement Cardiac Monitors and AutoPulse© Automatic Chest Compression Devices) and thanked staff for their efforts procuring new life-saving equipment.
Adam Leverenz noted he submitted a correction for Agenda Item 2 (Minutes for the March 10, 2026 City Council Meeting) and spoke in favor of affordable housing relating to Agenda Item 9 (2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports (PA2025-0008).
Ron Rubino commented on Agenda Item 9 (2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports (PA2025-0008) and questioned whether the City will meet state housing mandates.
II. CONSENT CALENDAR
READING OF MINUTES AND ORDINANCES
1. Reading of Ordinances
Waive reading in full of all ordinances under consideration and direct the City Clerk to read by title only.
2. Minutes for the March 10, 2026 City Council Meeting
Waive reading of subject minutes, approve as written, and order filed.
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
3. Resolution No. 2026-19: Finding Consistency with Stated Investment Objectives and Amending City Council Policy F-1 (Statement of Investment Policy) to Incorporate Changes in Government Code Section 53600, Et Seq
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. 2026-19, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Finding Consistency with Stated Investment Objectives and Amending City Council Policy F-1 (Statement of Investment Policy) to Incorporate Changes in Government Code Section 53600, et seq.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
4. Amendment No. One to Professional Services Agreement with Moffat & Nichol for Newport Harbor Seawall Replacement/Rehabilitation (Contract No. 9503-1) 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
City of Newport Beach
March 24, 2026
will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Approve Amendment No. One to the Professional Services Agreement with Moffatt & Nichol for Newport Harbor Seawall Replacement/Rehabilitation for an additional $339,677 for a total not - to -exceed amount of $788,480 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement.
5. Award of Maintenance/Repair Services Agreement with California PPE Recon Inc. for Fire Department Turnout Maintenance and Cleaning Services 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 a Maintenance and Repair Services Agreement with California PPE Recon, Inc. for Fire Department Turnout Maintenance and Cleaning Services, for a term of three years with an option to extend the agreement for two additional one-year terms, with a total not -to -exceed amount of $375,000 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement.
6. Amendments to Professional Services Agreements for J. Lee Engineering, Inc., Willdan Engineering, and CSG Consultants, Inc. for Staff Augmentation and Plan Review Services
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 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. One to Professional Services Agreement with J. Lee Engineering, Inc. for Staff Augmentation and Plan Review Services, to increase the contract amount by $150,000 with a not -to -exceed amount of $770,000;
c) Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. One to Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Engineering for Staff Augmentation and Plan Review Services, to increase the contract amount by $180,000 with a not -to -exceed amount of $300,000; and
d) Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. One to Professional Services Agreement with CSG Consultants for Staff Augmentation and Plan Review Services, to increase the contract amount by $150,000 with a not -to -exceed amount of $650,000.
7. Amendment No. One to Professional Services Agreement with COAR Design Group and Approval of Professional Services Agreement with Geocon West, Inc. 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 Amendment No. One to Professional Services Agreement with COAR Design Group for Balboa Branch Library and Fire Station No. 1 Design for construction support services for $290,000 for a total not -to -exceed amount of $987,248, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the amendment; and
c) Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Geocon West, Inc. for Balboa Branch Library and Fire Station No. 1 Geotechnical Services for geotechnical inspection services for a total not - to -exceed amount of $139,000 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement.
8. Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise Agreement (WISE Agreement) 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 the Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise Agreement (WISE Agreement) with the County of Orange, to succeed the existing landfill waste disposal agreement, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement.
City of Newport Beach
March 24, 2026
MISCELLANEOUS
9. 2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports (PA2025-0008) a) Find the preparation, review and submission of the 2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as the actions are not a project as defined by Section 15378(b)(2) of the Public Resources Code; b) Review the 2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report; and c) Authorize submittal of the 2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report to the State Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and to the State Department of Housing and Community Development.
10. Purchase of Replacement Cardiac Monitors and AutoPulse© Automatic Chest Compression Devices
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 selection and purchase of twenty-four (24) Zoll Zenix© Monitor/Defibrilators and eleven (11) Zoll AutoPulse (0 NXT mCPR devices and associated components and warranties, using cooperative selection and pricing under National Purchasing Partners (NPPGov) Contract PS 25850, and authorize the City's Administrative Services Department to issue the Purchase Orders; and
c) Approve Budget Amendment No. 26-064 appropriating $1,774,636.53 in increased expenditures in Account 75604-911024 (Fire Equipment) from the Fire Department's unappropriated Internal Service Fund (ISF) equipment fund balance.
11. Planning Commission Agenda for the March 19, 2026, Meeting a) Receive and file.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Blom, seconded by Councilmember Weber, to approve the Consent Calendar, including amendments to Agenda Item No. 2, the Minutes.
The Motion carried by the unanimous vote: 7-0-0.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items removed from the consent calendar.
III. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION — None
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION
Adam Leverenz addressed Closed Session Item A and hoped Council would consider this a procedural discrepancy rather than perceive it as a litigation threat.
Jim Mosher also commented on Closed Session Item A proposing a reconsideration of a potential litigation exposure.
City Attorney Harp read the closed session items.
Councilmember Stapleton recused himself on Closed Session Items B and C based on property interests at 4100 and 4110 MacArthur Blvd.
City of Newport Beach
March 24, 2026
IV. CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - THREAT OF LITIGATION
Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(2)(e)(3): 1 matter.
On March 11, 2026, the City Clerk received correspondence from legal counsel for Beaches for All -California alleging a Brown Act violation related to the February 10, 2026, City Council meeting, Agenda Item No. 3, "Safety Enhancement Zones and Enforcement During Peak Activity Periods," regarding the amendment of Section
11.08.020 (Use of Shade Coverings).
A copy of the March 11, 2026, correspondence is available for public inspection at the City Clerk's Office, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660, and on the City's website at the following link below:
https://ecros.newportbeachca . gov/WEB/DocView. aspx?id=3229773&dbid=0&repo=CNB B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - INITIATION OF LITIGATION
Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(4): 1 matter.
C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(1): 1 matter.
Newport Beach Stewardship Association v. City of Newport Beach Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2024-01428295
California Court of Appeals Case No. G065816
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Harp reported that regarding Closed Session Item B, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Blom and seconded by Mayor Kleiman to initiate litigation regarding one matter. The action, the defense and other particulars related to litigation shall be disclosed to any person on inquiry once litigation is formally commenced. All council members voted in favor except Councilmember Stapleton, who was recused from the matter. The motion was carried by the following vote: 6-0-1 (Councilmember Stapleton recused).
ADJOURNMENT - In Memory of Norma Maurer.
Meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m.
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, Newport Beach, on March 19, 2026, at 8:15 a.m.
Lauren Kleiman
Mayor
Lena Shumway
City Clerk