Newport Beach City Hall Park
Botanical Inventory
Prepared for City of Newport Beach
Dan Sereno, Parks Superintendant
October, 2014
Ron Vanderhoff
October, 2014
July 14, 2026
Non-Agenda Item
2 | Page N. B. City Hall Park Botanical Inventory, 2014 Newport Beach City Hall Park
Botanical Inventory
October, 2014
Overview
On April 11, 2013, the City of Newport Beach opened a new City Hall near Avocado Street and San Miguel Road. Adjacent to the City Hall is a new park, which with the City Library, comprises a complete City Hall complex. The entire City Hall area encompasses about 20 acres, 14.3 acres of total park space.
Of the park space, approximately 1.67 acres were preserved essentially in their pre-existing natural state.
The complete park space incorporates a combination of both natural and developed areas. The natural area includes existing native plants and minimal amenities. The developed park areas include traditional park features such as extensive ornamental plantings, a dog park, walking paths, seating areas, interpretive signage and urban art.
Preceding the development and planning of the area the city contracted a complete biological assessment of the 20 acre site. This assessment was completed by LSA Associates and submitted to the city in July 2009. Included in this assessment were botanical field surveys conducted by LSA staff on Feb 4, Feb 12, April 1, April 29 and June 29, 2009. The resulting biological assessment satisfied requirements set forth by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as well as California and Federal Endangered Species Acts. The report provided an inventory of the flora at the site prior to development.
In June of 2013 Ron Vanderhoff, a director of The California Native Plant Society in Orange County and Vice President of Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar, approached the city with an offer to perform several botanical surveys of the natural areas and some surrounding portions at the site. The city agreed, and the surveys attached now provide a complete and current inventory of all flora present within this 1.67 acre natural area and a portion of the surrounding predominantly native landscaped area, a total space of 3.49 acres.
The survey area, as defined in this report (Figures 1 and 2), includes the natural and undeveloped areas of the site. This area is highlighted by a V-shaped drainage at the Northern end of the main park parcel.
This natural area, due to its adjacency to city government offices and its high profile location within the community, is an important natural resource and an area of biological interest. It was agreed that an updated botanical inventory may be of use to the community, park visitors and other interested parties.
Furthermore, this inventory would have value if the city were to add additional interpretive features to the park in the future, such as additional signage, plant lists and website content.
All services were donated and no city expenses were incurred in any portion of this project.
Methods
For the purposes of these surveys the area included in this inventory needed to be defined in laymen terms that the casual user could understand. The decision was made to use the park’s permanent walkways and property lines to define the survey area (Figure 2). These borders, although somewhat arbitrary, are easy for the public to understand and visualize.
3 | Page N. B. City Hall Park Botanical Inventory, 2014 Because the natural areas and the adjacent landscaped areas intergrade considerably, some landscape plantings are included in this inventory. However, those plants that were not originally present on the site are reported in the inventory as “Planted-Landscape”.
On Jan. 8, Jan. 29, April 2, April 30, June 5, Aug. 11 and Sept 25, 2014 complete botanical surveys were conducted for the entire 3.49 acre survey area. Additionally, the site was surveyed less thoroughly in 2013. All surveys were led by Ron Vanderhoff, with assistance from James Maxwell and Aaron Potter.
Given the small geography of the site, complete surveys of the entire space were performed, versus using various sampling techniques that are often employed in larger spaces.
All vascular plant taxa on the site were recorded. These plants include those that appeared to be of native occurrence, those that were non-native and naturalized or those that were planted and at least to some degree cultivated. All surveys were recorded with full details, including GPS routes, field-hours, weather conditions, etc. The coordinates of significant plants were plotted and voucher samples were taken for the few plants that required additional taxonomic work.
In total, 29:55 field hours were invested, with approximately 13.59 team miles travelled. 28:00 office hours were invested.
In addition to cataloging the plant taxa, abundance estimates were also made for each taxa, as were details about the plants nativity and its general growth habit (annual, perennial, tree, etc.).
Ecological and Biological Resources
The survey site is comprised primarily of a disturbed California Coastal Sage Scrub plant community surrounding narrow wetland/riparian areas. A small but deep V-shaped ravine toward the center of the natural area is the most obvious natural feature of the space. This wetland area is fed during the rainy season by the small amount of natural watershed at the site. More significantly, throughout the year this area receives moisture from urban runoff. This water enters the ravine through a culvert on the Eastern portion and, after travelling slowly through the wetland, exits the site on the Western edge through a large standpipe. A second connecting arm with additional wetlands begins near the Northcentral portion of the site, with water appearing to enter via an underground concrete culvert.
This drainage connects to the prior drainage at the midway point and exits through the same outlet.
These wetland areas support an isolated riparian plant community.
Specific vegetation types retained on the site (as defined by the OC Habitat Classification System) include sagebrush scrub, Southern cactus scrub, ruderal grassland, freshwater marsh, willow riparian scrub and mulefat scrub, surrounded on most sides by primarily native plant landscaping.
152 taxa of vascular plants were documented from the site during this survey. Of these, 54 were considered native and naturally occurring, 74 were considered non-native and naturalized, and 41 were considered planted and at least to some degree cultivated (17 were both naturalized and cultivated).
Relative abundance of all taxa was also estimated and is included in the report. Of the native taxa, 25 were considered scarce (the highest level of rarity), with between 1 and 4 individuals.
4 | Page N. B. City Hall Park Botanical Inventory, 2014 In contrast, the LSA survey of the entire 20 acre site, completed in 2009, recorded 141 vascular plant taxa. The net increase of eleven plant taxa between 2009 and 2014 was unexpected, considering the much smaller area surveyed in 2014. Reasons for this increase in taxa are likely from: 1) several cultivated plants added to the site and 2) more focused and thorough survey work in 2014.
64 taxa were recorded in 2014 that were not recorded in 2009. Conversely, 44 taxa were recorded in 2009 that were not recorded in 2014.
No state or federally endangered plants were recorded in 2014. Additionally, no plants were recorded in 2014 with a California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR). One species, Atriplex coulteri, with a California Rare Plant Rank of 1B.2 (rare, threatened, or endangered in CA and elsewhere) was recorded in 2009. In accordance with regulatory guidelines, these 18 plants were relocated to another location in Newport Beach prior to construction. No Atriplex coulteri were recorded in 2014.
The species richness of the site is considered moderate to high for such a small area, surrounded on all sides by dense urban development. Gene flow in and out of the site is likely very limited, due to its isolation from other stands of native plants.
Understanding the Survey
The following survey provides a complete list of vascular plant taxa surveyed at the site in 2014 and 2013. The taxonomy and organization follows The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California, Second Edition 2012. Occurrence data is included, providing survey dates and individual records. General abundance estimates as well as life form information is also included.
Nativity details at the site are added to assist the user in understanding the origins of the plants present at the site. Native to site implies that the plants are native to this specific site and are naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic are plants that are not native to the site, but have naturalized unassisted.
Most of these would also be considered invasive species. Planted-Landscape are those plants that have been intentionally planted and introduced onto the site. These may be plants that are native to the general Southern CA region, but these are not plants that are native and naturally occurring at this site.
Finally, notes have been added for several of the taxa surveyed.
Management Recommendations
The city of Newport Beach should be commended for setting aside and managing this fragment of natural space, as well as for planting and maintaining the surrounding acres in a semi-native manner. In addition to the preserved natural area, the landscaped areas support many additional California native plants and other carefully selected plants from similar Mediterranean climates.
The city also should be acknowledged for avoiding the introduction of exotic plants into the landscaped areas of the park. These invasive plants could potentially invade and overwhelm this small natural area.
Other than direct loss of land, invasive plant species are the largest threat to our natural areas. This is especially true in small pockets of natural space that are surrounded by urban development, such as this site. Diligence must be taken to both exclude and remove invasive exotic plants on an on-going and regular manner. Unfortunately, invasive plant management will be a requirement that will have no end. 5 | Page N. B. City Hall Park Botanical Inventory, 2014 If invasive plant management were to stop, even for brief periods, the sites overall ecology and species richness would almost certainly degrade quickly as these species overwhelm the native plants.
During the survey a few high profile invasive species and their exact locations were communicated to city staff. The city was responsive to these communications and the city made efforts to address several of these threats.
Current and specific management recommendations:
Continue to remove specific existing invasive plants at this site. Efforts should be prioritized to those species with the greatest potential to spread and/or degrade the natural habitat, as well as the efficiency and likelihood of control. Specifically these non-native invasive plants include:
Carpobrotus edulis - Hottentot-fig
Centaurea melitensis - Tocalote
Cortaderia selloana - Pampas grass
Cupaniopsis anacardioides - Carrotwood
Cynara cardunculus ssp. flavescens - Artichoke thistle
Echium candicans - Pride of Madeira
Emex spinosa - Devil's thorn
Eucalyptus camaldulensis - River red gum
Foeniculum vulgare - Sweet fennel
Glebonis coronarium - Garland chrysanthemum
Lepidium latifolium - Perennial pepperweed
Malephora crocea - Croceum ice plant
Marrubium vulgare - Horehound
Melaleuca viminalis - Weeping bottlebrush
Myoporum laetum - Myoporum
Nicotiana glauca - Tree tobacco
Ricinus communis - Castor bean
In addition to those above, many other invasive plant species are present at the site, but are excluded from management recommendations due to their ubiquitous qualities and the unlikely probability of successful eradication or significant and lasting control.
In addition to the invasive plants already present at the site and in need of management, new invasive plants are a significant threat. On-going invasive plant monitoring should be performed in order to address and manage these future threats. Specific examples are Pennisetum setaceum (Fountaingrass), Asphodelus fistulosus (Onionweed) and Plantago lanceolata (English Plaintain) all of which are present elsewhere on the City Hall site, but not yet within the survey area. Each of these is a listed species by The California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC). These plants should be eliminated elsewhere on the property, before they enter this natural area.
The timing of invasive plant treatments is critical to effective management. For instance, annual species must be cut, treated or removed each year before viable seed is produced. Perennial species must also be managed prior to seed development, but the parent plants must also be removed or killed as well.
A large planting of non-native Acacia redolens occupies approximately 830 square meters as a monoculture along the slope above the Eastern border of the wetlands and culvert. This 6 | Page N. B. City Hall Park Botanical Inventory, 2014 planting appears to have been present here for many years. It should be removed and re- vegetated with locally native species in order to enhance the natural area.
Green waste, which often includes non-native invasive plants, should at no time be stored on site and especially not within the natural area. Many of these plants can continue to propagate and disperse vegetatively and from viable seed, even after they are removed. On several occasions piles of green waste were observed being stored on the site.
Soil erosion along the edges of the ravine is likely to cause sediment buildup in the wetland area, both degrading the habitat and affecting the hydrology of the site. Many of the upland margins of this ravine were planted and the soils have thus been disturbed, increasing the likelihood of sediment flow into the wetlands, especially during rain events. o Maintenance workers should be trained to avoid working and walking along the immediate edge of the ravine.
o Use paths should be avoided when they transect an area into the ravine and wetland area.
o Where use paths are already present, they should be obscured or replanted to reduce further use.
o If erosion continues or use paths enlarge, fencing or signage should be considered, although the appearance of either would detract from the aesthetics of the area.
Landscape and maintenance workers should be periodically trained in invasive plant identification and able to distinguish native (desirable species) from non-native (undesirable) invasive species.
Proper techniques to remove invasive species are critical. Usually this is a species specific decision. Many perennial and woody invasive species will quickly re-sprout from perennial roots or basal burls if simply cut away at or near the soil line. These species need thorough removal of the entire basal crown (grubbing) or complete root removal. However, root removal may increase soil erosion, so care must be taken. Alternatively, many of these woody or perennial species can be killed with cut-and-treat herbicide techniques. Unfortunately, many of the invasive plants cut out during 2014 by contractors and city staff were not grubbed and are aggressively re-sprouting (Foeniculum, Eucalyptus, Cupaniopsis, Cynara, Nicotiana and others).
A bacterial disease, Erwinia amylovora or fire blight, was observed on a few of the Toyon (Heteromeles) planted along MacArthur Blvd. Although slightly outside of the survey area, this disease is a threat. This disease is vectored from plant to plant through contamination of pruning equipment. Proper sanitation and training of maintenance personnel should be provided.
The maintenance plan for the site should be reviewed periodically and adjustments should be made in management strategies, including those mentioned here.
7 | Page N. B. City Hall Park Botanical Inventory, 2014 Opportunities
Additional interpretive resources could be added to help visitors understand and appreciate this natural area and its important biological resources.
An online and interactive resource could be established which would include this plant list and thumbnail photos of many or all of the plants on the site. Original, high quality images are available from the author for this purpose, if desired.
Printed materials could be developed and made available for self-guided tours of the natural and other features of the park.
An audio tour could be recorded and made available for self-guided tours. The recording would explain the natural and other features of the park. These headsets could be distributed or rented at the adjacent city library.
Periodic interpretive nature walks, led by trained docents could be conducted to introduce the public to many of the natural resources present at the site. Customized walks could be made available for school and youth groups.
This natural area and the surrounding park is a quality example of a positive trend in public landscapes.
By blending the community’s need for recreational space with the need to protect and preserve some of our remaining natural areas, spaces such as this are important in our communities. Use of limited natural resources, particularly water, is well accomplished at this site. Additionally, many negative environmental impacts associated with traditional parklands have been greatly reduced here. These reduced impacts include limited green waste, fewer carbon emissions, reduction in fossil fuels from maintenance activities, reduction in nutrient flow off the site and lower noise pollution.
Furthermore, many enhancements to the greater environment are supported by park spaces such as this one. These benefits include far greater levels of biodiversity, such as native pollinators, migratory birds, small reptiles, amphibians and microbial soil health.
Ron Vanderhoff
October, 2014
Ron Vanderhoff is the General Manager and Vice President of Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar.
He is a Board member of the California Native Plant Society, Orange County.
He assists with native plant field surveys, vegetation assessments and rare plant mapping throughout Orange County and adjacent areas.
8 | Page N. B. City Hall Park Botanical Inventory, 2014
Figure 1. The complete area of the surveys and vascular plant inventory (blue shaded). This includes the preserved natural areas as well as adjacent native landscaping and revegetation. 3.49 acres.
Figure 2. The preserved natural area (yellow shaded). This area is primarily pre-existing native and naturalized vegetation. 1.67 acres.
9 | Page N. B. City Hall Park Botanical Inventory, 2014
10 | Page N. B. City Hall Park Botanical Inventory, 2014
1 'Sunset' Manzanita 2 Western Goldenrod
3 California Fuschsia 4 Coastal Prickly Pear
11 | Page N. B. City Hall Park Botanical Inventory, 2014
5 Giant Tickseed 6 California Buckwheat
7 Deer Grass 8 Marsh Fleabane
9 Douglas Nightshade 10 A California landscape
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED 2014
Taxa
9/25/2014
8/11/2014
6/5/2014
4/30/2014
4/2/2014
1/29/2014
1/8/2014
2009
2013
Scarce
Uncommon
Occasional
Common
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Planted-Landscape
LYCOPODIOPHYTA-CLUB MOSS & ALLIES
Selaginellaceae Spike Moss Family
Selaginella bigelovii - Bigelow's spike mossXXXXX
Few plants, N facing position above watershed.
POLYPODIOPHYTA-FERNS
Pteridaceae Lip Fern Family
Pentagramma triangularis ssp. triangularis - Gold back fernXXXXXX Few plants, N facing position above watershed.
GYMNOSPERMAE CONE-BEARING PLANTS
Pinaceae Pine Family
Pinus halepensis - Aleppo pineXXXXXXXXXXXX
Edge of survey area.
ANGIOSPERMAE: DICOTYLEDONAE DICOT FLOWERING PLANTS
Aizoaceae Carpet-weed Family
Carpobrotus edulis - Hottentot-figXXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive priority.
Malephora crocea - Croceum ice plantXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive priority.
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum - Crystal ice plantXXX
Invasive.
Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum - Small-flowered ice plantXXXXX Invasive.
Anacardiaceae Sumac Family
Rhus integrifolia - Lemonade berryXXXXXXXXXXXX
Apiaceae Carrot Family
Apium graveolens - Common celeryXXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Foeniculum vulgare - Sweet fennelXXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive priority.
Asteraceae Sunflower Family
Artemisia californica - California sagebrushXXXXXXXXXXXXX Includes both native occurances and those planted.
Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea - Coyote brushXXXXXXXXXXXX Baccharis salicina - Willow baccharisXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized and not native to the site. Planted-Landscape: Planted or only present in landscaped area; regional native or exotic.
Other PresenceAbundanceLife Form
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED - Pg. 2 2014
Taxa
9/25/2014
8/11/2014
6/5/2014
4/30/2014
4/2/2014
1/29/2014
1/8/2014
2009
2013
Scarce
Uncommon
Occasional
Common
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Planted-Landscape
Baccharis salicifolia ssp. salicifolia - Mule fatXXXXXXXXXXXX Centaurea melitensis - TocaloteXXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive priority.
Cirsium vulgare - Bull thistleXXX
Invasive.
Corethrogyne filaginifolia 'Silver Carpet' - Cudweed asterXXXXXXXXXXXX Native to area, a planted cultivar at site.
Cotula australis - Australian brass buttonsXXXXX
One plant. Invasive.
Cynara cardunculus ssp. flavescens - Artichoke thistleXXXXXXXXXXX Invasive priority.
Deinandra fasciculata - Fascicled tarweedXXXXXX
Dimorphotheca ecklonis - Trailing African daisyXXXXXXXXXX Invasive.
Encelia californica - California enceliaXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Includes both native occurances and those planted.
Encelia farinosa - California brittlebushXXXXXXXXX
Single plant. Invasive priority, hybridizes w/ native species.
Erigeron bonariensis - Flax-leaved horseweedXXXXXX
Erigeron canadensis - Common horseweedXXXXXXXXXXXX
Erigeron glaucus 'Bountiful' - Seaside daisyXXXXXXXXXXX Native to coastal Central CA, planted at site.
Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum - Gold yarrowXXXXXXXXXXXX Native to area, but nativity at site uncertain.
Gaillardia aristata - Blanket flowerXXXXXXXX
Abundant in nearby landscape.
Gazania linearis - GazaniaXXXXXXX
Abundant in nearby landscape.
Glebonis coronarium - Garland chrysanthemumXXXXXXXXXXXX Invasive priority.
Grindelia camporum - Big gumplantXXXXXXXX
Hazardia squarrosa var. grindelioides - Saw-tooth goldenbushXXXXXXXX Helminthotheca echioides - Bristly ox-tongueXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized and not native to the site. Planted-Landscape: Planted or only present in landscaped area; regional native or exotic.
Other PresenceAbundanceLife Form
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED - Pg. 3 2014
Taxa
9/25/2014
8/11/2014
6/5/2014
4/30/2014
4/2/2014
1/29/2014
1/8/2014
2009
2013
Scarce
Uncommon
Occasional
Common
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Planted-Landscape
Heterotheca grandiflora - Telegraph weedXXXXXXXX
Isocoma menziesii var. vernonioides - Coastal goldenbushXXXXXXXXXXXX Lactuca serriola - Prickly lettuceXXXXXX
Invasive.
Leptosyne gigantea - Giant tickseedXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to Channel Islands, planted at site.
Leptosyne maritima - Sea dahliaXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to coastal San Diego Co., planted at site.
Plechostachys serpyllifolia - Petite-licoriceXXXXXXXXXXX Invasive.
Pluchea odorata var. odorata - Marsh fleabaneXXXXXXXXXXXX Pseudognaphalium biolettii - Bicolored cudweedXXXXXXXXXXX Pseudognaphalium californicum - California everlastingXXXXXXXXXXX Pseudognaphalium leucocephalum - White rabbit tobaccoXXXX CA Rare Plant Rank: 2.2.
Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum - Weedy cudweedXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Pseudognaphalium stramineum - Cottonbatting plantXXXXXX Pulicaria paludosa - Spanish sunflowerXXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Senecio vulgaris - Common groundselXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Solidago velutina ssp. californica - Western GoldenrodXXXXXXXXXX Native to area. Introduced to site on nursery plants.
Sonchus asper ssp. asper - Prickly sow-thistleXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Sonchus oleraceus - Common sow-thistleXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Symphyotrichum chilense - American asterXXXXXXXXXXXX
Native in So Cal, planted at site.
Taraxacum officinale - Common dandelionXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Xanthium strumarium - CockleburXXXXX
Boraginaceae Borage Family
Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized and not native to the site. Planted-Landscape: Planted or only present in landscaped area; regional native or exotic.
Other PresenceAbundanceLife Form
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED - Pg. 4 2014
Taxa
9/25/2014
8/11/2014
6/5/2014
4/30/2014
4/2/2014
1/29/2014
1/8/2014
2009
2013
Scarce
Uncommon
Occasional
Common
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Planted-Landscape
Amsinckia intermedia - Common fiddleneckXXX
Cryptantha sp. - CryptanthaXXX
Echium candicans - Pride of MadeiraXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive priority.
Heliotropium curassavicum var. oculatum - Salt heliotropeXXXXXXXXXXX Brassicaceae Mustard Family
Brassica nigra - Black mustardXXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Descurainia pinnata ssp. ochroleuca - Western tansy-mustardXXX Descurainia pinnata ssp. menziesii - Menzies tansy-mustardXXXX Hirschfeldia incana - Shortpod mustardXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Lepidium latifolium - Perennial pepperweedXXXXXX
Invasive.
Lepidium nitidum - Shining peppergrassXXXXXXX
Limited to one small N facing slope.
Nasturtium officinale - White water-cressXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Sisymbrium orientale - Oriental mustardXXX
Invasive.
Cactaceae Cactus Family
Opuntia littoralis - Coastal prickly pearXXXXXXXXXXXX
Includes both native and planted.
Caryophyllaceae Pink Family
Spergularia bocconi - Boccone’s sand spurryXXXXX
Chenopodiaceae Goosefoot Family
Atriplex argentea var. argentea - Common silver-scaleXXXXXX Single plant.
Chenopodium berlandieri var. sinuatum - Pitseed goosefootXXXXXXXXXX Invasive.
Dysphania ambrosioides - Mexican tea XXXXX
Invasive.
Salsola tragus - Russian-thistleXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized and not native to the site. Planted-Landscape: Planted or only present in landscaped area; regional native or exotic.
PresenceAbundanceLife FormOther
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED - Pg. 5 2014
Taxa
9/25/2014
8/11/2014
6/5/2014
4/30/2014
4/2/2014
1/29/2014
1/8/2014
2009
2013
Scarce
Uncommon
Occasional
Common
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Planted-Landscape
Cleomaceae Spiderflower Family
Peritoma arborea var. globosa - BladderpodXXXXXXXXXXXX
Includes both native and planted.
Cucurbitaceae Gourd Family
Marah macrocarpa - Wild cucumberXXXX
Ericaceae Heath Family
Arctostaphylos manzanita 'Dr. Hurd'XXXXXXXXXXX
Native to N. Cal., a planted cultivar at site.
Arctostaphylos 'Sunset' - 'Sunset manzanitaXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to N. Cal., planted cultivar at site.
Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family
Euphorbia serpens - Creeping spurgeXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Euphorbia maculata - Spotted spurgeXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Euphorbia peplus - Petty spurgeXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Ricinus communis - Castor beanXXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive priority.
Fabaceae Legume Family
Acacia redolens - Vanilla-scented wattleXXXXXXXXXXXX
Recorded as Acacia sp. In 2009. Invasive. Should be removed.
Acmispon glaber var. glaber - Coastal deerweedXXXXXXXXXXXX Lupinus albifrons var. albifrons - Silver bush lupineXXXXXXXXXXX Native to area, planted at site.
Medicago polymorpha - California burcloverXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Melilotus indicus - Yellow sweet-cloverXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Fagaceae Oak Family
Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia - Coast live oakXXXXXXXXXXX Native to area, planted at site.
Geraniaceae Geranium Family
Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized and not native to the site. Planted-Landscape: Planted or only present in landscaped area; regional native or exotic.
Other PresenceAbundanceLife Form
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED - Pg. 6 2014
Taxa
9/25/2014
8/11/2014
6/5/2014
4/30/2014
4/2/2014
1/29/2014
1/8/2014
2009
2013
Scarce
Uncommon
Occasional
Common
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Planted-Landscape
Erodium botrys - Long-beaked filareeXXXXX
Invasive.
Erodium brachycarpum - Short-fruited filareeXXXXX
Invasive.
Erodium cicutarium - Red-stemmed filareeXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Erodium moschatum - White-stemmed filareeXXXX
Invasive.
Lamiaceae Mint Family
Marrubium vulgare - HorehoundXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Monardella odoratissima - Coyote mintXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to other parts of CA, planted at site.
Salvia apiana - White sageXXXXXXXXXXX
Salvia leucophylla x sonomensis 'Bee's Bliss' - Hhybrid sageXXXXXXXXXXX Native to area, planted hybrid at site.
Salvia clevelandii 'Baja' - Baja sageXXXXXXXXXX
Native to San Diego Co., planted cultivar at site.
Salvia leucophylla 'Point Sal' - Point Sal purple sageXXXXXXXXXXX Native to area, but a planted cultivar at site.
Salvia mellifera - Black sageXXXXXX
Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' - Hybrid sageXXXX
One plant, likely accidental from landscape.
Trichostemma lanatum - Woolly blue curlsXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to area, planted at site.
Malvaceae Mallow Family
Malva parviflora - CheeseweedXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Myricaceae Wax Myrtle Family
Myrica californica - Pacific wax myrtleXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to other parts of CA., but planted at site.
Myrsinaceae Myrsine Family
Anagallis arvensis - Scarlet pimpernelXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized and not native to the site. Planted-Landscape: Planted or only present in landscaped area; regional native or exotic.
Other PresenceAbundanceLife Form
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED - Pg. 7 2014
Taxa
9/25/2014
8/11/2014
6/5/2014
4/30/2014
4/2/2014
1/29/2014
1/8/2014
2009
2013
Scarce
Uncommon
Occasional
Common
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Planted-Landscape
Myrtaceae Myrtle Family
Eucalyptus camaldulensis - River red gumXXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive priority. Cut to stumps, resprouting.
Melaleuca viminalis - Weeping bottlebrushXXXXXXXX
Invasive. Single plant, cut to stump. May resprout.
Nyctaginaceae Four O'clock Family
Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia - California wishbone bushXXXXXXXXXX One small clump.
Onagraceae - Evening Primrose Family
Epilobium canum 'Catalina' - California fuchsiaXXXXXXXXXXX Native to area, a planted cultivar at site.
Epilobium ciliatum ssp. ciliatum - Northern willowherbXXXXXXXX Invasive.
Oxalidaceae Oxalis Family
Oxalis corniculata - Creeping woodsorrelXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Oxalis pes-caprae - Bermuda-buttercupXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Papaveraceae Poppy Family
Eschscholzia californica - California poppyXXXX
Not recorded in 2014. Nativity at site uncertain.
Phrymaceae Monkeyflower Family
Mimulus aurantiacus var. pubescens - Bush monkey flowerXXXXXXXX Mimulus gutattus - Seep monkey flowerXXXX
Native to area. Prob. on site from nursery plants.
Plantaginaceae Plantain Family
Gambelia speciosa 'Firecracker' - Showy island snapdragonXXXXXXXXXXX Native to Channel Islands, hybrid planted at site.
Platanaceae Sycamore Family
Platanus racemosa - Western sycamoreXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to area, planted at site.
Plumbaginaceae Leadwort Family
Limonium ramosissimum - Province sea-lavenderXXXXXXXXXXX Invasive. In riparian swale. Reported as Limonium sp. In 2009.
Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized and not native to the site. Planted-Landscape: Planted or only present in landscaped area; regional native or exotic.
PresenceAbundanceLife FormOther
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED - Pg. 8 2014
Taxa
9/25/2014
8/11/2014
6/5/2014
4/30/2014
4/2/2014
1/29/2014
1/8/2014
2009
2013
Scarce
Uncommon
Occasional
Common
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Planted-Landscape
Polygonaceae Buckwheat Family
Emex spinosa - Devil's thorn XXXX
Invasive priority. A few plants, one location.
Eriogonum giganteum - Saint Caterine's lace buckwheatXXXXXXXXXXXX Native to Channel Islands, planted at site.
Eriogonum grande var. rubescens - Red-flowered buckwheatXXXXXXXXXXX Native to Northern Channel Islands, planted at site.
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum - Calif. buckwheatXXXXXXXXXXXX Eriogonum parvifolium - Bluff buckwheatXXXXXXXX
Native to area, planted at site.
Polygonum aviculare ssp. depressum - Common knotweedXXXXXXXXX Invasive.
Rumex crispus - Curly dockXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family
Ceanothus impressus x papillosus 'Concha' - Cal. LilacXXXXXXXXXX Ceanothus species Cult.XXXX
1 plant in mixed landscape. Large leaves. Not native.
Rosaceae Rose Family
Heteromeles arbutifolia - ToyonXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to area, planted at site.
Salicaceae Willow Family
Salix exigua var. hindsiana - Narrow-leaved willowXXXXXXXXXXX Native to area, planted at site.
Salix gooddingii - Goodding's black willowXXXXXXXXXXXX
1 large plant.
Salix lasiolepis - Arroyo willowXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sapindaceae Soapberry Family
Cupaniopsis anacardioides - CarrotwoodXXXXXXXX
Invasive. Cut to stumps, resprouting.
Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family
Myoporum laetum - MyoporumXXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive priority. Several large plants.
Solanaceae Nightshade Family
Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized and not native to the site. Planted-Landscape: Planted or only present in landscaped area; regional native or exotic.
PresenceAbundanceLife FormOther
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED - Pg. 9 2014
Taxa
9/25/2014
8/11/2014
6/5/2014
4/30/2014
4/2/2014
1/29/2014
1/8/2014
2009
2013
Scarce
Uncommon
Occasional
Common
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Planted-Landscape
Nicotiana glauca - Tree tobaccoXXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive priority.
Solanum douglasii - Douglas' nightshadeXXXXXXXXXXXX
Verbenaceae Vervain Family
Verbena lilacina - Cedros island verbenaXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to Mexico, planted at site.
ANGIOSPERMAE: MONOCOTYLEDONAE MONOCOT FLOWERING PLANTS
Amaryllidaceae Amaryllis Family
Agapanthus africanus - Lily-of-the-nileXXXXXX
1 clump within sage scrub.
Araceae Arum Family
Lemna sp. - DuckweedXXXXXXXXXXXX
On free water at Eastern culvert.
Zantedeschia aethiopica - Calla lilyXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive. One small colony in wetland.
Cyperaceae Sedge Family
Carex praegracilis - Clustered field sedgeXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to area, planted at site.
Cyperus eragrostis - Tall flatsedgeXXXXXXXXXXX
Cyperus involucratus - Africa umbrella-sedge
Schoenoplectus californicus - California bulrushXXXXXXXXXXXX Iridaceae Iris Family
Sisyrinchium bellum - Western blue-eyed grassXXXXXXXXXXX Native to area, planted at site.
Juncaceae Rush Family
Juncus bufonius var. bufonius - Toad rushXXXXXX
Juncus mexicanus - Mexican rushXXXXX
Poaceae Grass Family
Avena barbata - Slender wild oatXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Avena fatua - Common wild oatXXXXX
Invasive.
Bouteloua gracilis - Blue gramaXXXXXXXXXXX
Native to CA deserts, planted at site.
Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized and not native to the site. Planted-Landscape: Planted or only present in landscaped area; regional native or exotic.
PresenceAbundanceLife FormOther
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED - Pg. 10 2014
Taxa
9/25/2014
8/11/2014
6/5/2014
4/30/2014
4/2/2014
1/29/2014
1/8/2014
2009
2013
Scarce
Uncommon
Occasional
Common
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Planted-Landscape
Bromus diandrus - Ripgut grassXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Bromus hordeaceus - Soft chessXXXXXX
Invasive.
Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens - Foxtail chessXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Cortaderia selloana - Pampas grassXXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive priority.
Cynodon dactylon - Bermuda grassXXXXXX
Invasive.
Poa annua - Annual bluegrassXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Distichlis spicata - Salt grassXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Muhlenbergia rigens - Deer grassXXXXXXXXXX
Native to area, planted at site.
Nassella tenuissima - Mexican feathergrassXXXXXX
Invasive. Single plant.
Poa pratensis ssp. pratensis - Kentucky bluegrassXXXXXXX Invasive.
Polypogon interruptus - Ditch polypogonXXXXXXXXXX
Invasive.
Polypogon monspeliensis - Rabbitsfoot grassXXXXX
Invasive.
Stipa lepida - Foothill needlegrassXXXXX
Single plant.
Stipa pulchra - Purple needlegrassXXXXXXXXXX
2-3 scattered plants.
Typhaceae Cat-tail Family
Typha domingensis - Southern cat-tailXXXXXXXXXXXX
Count:
115
112
115
124
123
110
113
99 88
29 37
49 57
62 62
37 11
9 5
59 76
43 Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized and not native to the site. Planted-Landscape: Planted or only present in landscaped area; regional native or exotic.
PresenceAbundanceLife FormOther
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - Additional plants recorded during the 2009 LSA survey on the full site Taxa
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Acacia longifolia - Sydney golden wattleXX
Acmispon americanus var. americanus - Spanish lotusXX
Acmispon micranthus - San Diego lotusXX
Apiastrum angustifolium - Mock parsleyXX
Asphodelus fistulosus - OnionweedXX Invasive. Noxious weed, still 200 m. W, nr. library.
Atriplex coulteri - Coulter's saltbushXXFormerly on site. Relocated as mitigation.
Atriplex semibaccata - Australian saltbushXX
Bougainvillea glabra - BougainvilleaXX
Brassica rapa - Field mustardXX
Bromus catharticus var. catharticus - Rescue grassXXInvasive.
Calandrinia ciliata - Red maidsXX
Ceanothus oliganthus var. sorediatus - Jim brushXX2009 ID is doubtful. Out of range.
Convolvulus arvensis - Field bindweedXX
Cortaderia jubata - JubatagrassXX2009 species ID doubtful, likely C. sellowiana.
Crassula connata - Sand pygmy-stonecropXX
Croton setigerus - DoveweedXX
Descurainia pinnata ssp. ochroleuca - Western tansy-mustardXX2009 ID is doubtful, likely D. p. ssp. menziesii.
Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum - Blue dicksXX
Festuca myuros - Rattail fescueXXInvasive.
Geranium carolinianum - Carolina geraniumXX
Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum - Hare barleyXXInvasive.
Hypochaeris glabra - Smooth cat's-earXX
Lantana camara - LantanaXX
Limonium sinuatum - Winged sea-lavenderXX
Lobularia maritima - Sweet-alyssumXX
Lupinus succulentus - Arroyo lupineXX
Malva sylvestris - High mallowXX
Nuttallanthus texanus - Larger blue toadflaxXX
Pectocarya linearis ssp. ferocula - Slender pectocaryaXX Pennisetum clandestinum - Kikuyu grassXXInvasive.
Phoenix dactylifera - Date palmXXP. canariensis is more likely.
Plantago erecta - California plantainXX
Plantago lanceolata - English plantainXXStill present 200 m W nr. Library.
Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus - Woolly marblesXX Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized (invasive) and not native to the site.
Comments
Life FormOther
NEWPORT BEACH CITY HALL PARK - Additional plants recorded during the 2009 LSA survey on the full site Taxa
Annual
Perennial
Shrub
Tree
Vine/G. C.
Aquatic
Native to Site
Naturalized-Exotic
Pterostegia drymarioides - Granny's hairnetXX
Salix lasiandra var. lasiandra - Yellow willowXX2009 ID is doubtful. Quite uncommon.
Trifolium hirtum - Bristled cloverXX
Typha angustifolia - Narrow-leaved cat-tailXX2009 ID doubtful. Quite rare in our area.
Typha latifolia - Broad-leaved cat-tailXX
Uropappus lindleyi - Silver puffsXX
Verbena pulchella - Moss verbenaXX
Veronica anagallis-aquatica - Water speedwellXX
Vinca major - Blue periwinkleXX
Washingtonia filifera - California fan palmXX
Native to site: Naturally occurring. Naturalized-Exotic: Naturalized (invasive) and not native to the site.
Comments
Life FormOther
https://newporttogether.mysocialpinpoint.com/2050-general-plan-draft-elements •General Plan, Natural Resources Element of Biological Resources•Newport Beach is made up of a diverse range of elevations, biogeographic features, and ecosystems, with 6 plant and 23 animal species classified as endangered, threatened, or both by Federal and/or State agencies (see Natural Resources Existing Conditions and Background Analysis). Many of these species live in environmental study areas, as shown in Figure NR-2, and environmentally sensitive habitat areas. Both environmental study areas and environmentally sensitive habitat areas are subject to stricter regulations, implemented through the Local Coastal Program.March 2026 NR-4 City of Newport Beach General Plan – Natural Resources Element•Consistent with Assembly Bill 1889 (2024), wildlife corridors should be developed to connect environmentally sensitive habitat areas with other core habitat areas. This may be accomplished by protecting existing open spaces between habitats, planting native plants that provide food and/or shelter on developed sites, and reducing the introduction of invasive species.
Civic Center Park and the Dog Park areas are identified as ESAs 17 & 18 in the City’s ESA Map. •Goal NR-7: Native and naturalized non-invasive species habitats in parks and public open spaces• Policy NR-7.1: Native Plant Species. Review existing policies, procedures, and guidelines regarding plant, shrub, and tree palettes, and consider revisions to ensure they feature native and naturalized non-invasive species. (Imp. 8.2)•• Policy NR-7.2: Native Plants in Parks. Adopt standards for new public parks to include vegetation for the revised plant, shrub, and tree palette. Imp. 8.2) •GoalNR-10:Landuse and development standards to conserveimportant ecosystem services and habitats•Policy NR-10.3: Resource Protection. Require that the siting and design of new development, including landscaping and public access, reasonably protect sensitive and rare resources against any significant disruption of habitat values. (Imp. 1.1, 2.1) Goal NR-13: Standards and programs to limit runoff of pollution to preserve water quality of groundwater sourcesPolicy NR-13.11: Impervious Surfaces. Require new development and public facilities to minimize the creation of and increases in impervious surfaces, especially those directly adjacent to existingimpervious areas, to the maximum extent possible.
Goal NR-18: Viewsheds and corridors that are preservedGoalNR-19:Minimized visual impacts of signs and utilities•Policy NR-18.1 (LU-2.7): Public Views. Protect and, where feasible, enhance significant scenic and visual resources that include views of open space, mountains, canyons, ridges, the ocean, and the harbor from public vantage points, as shown in Figure NR-4. (Imp. 5.2, 20.4)•Policy NR-18.3: View Corridors. Protect and enhance public view corridors from roadway segments Goal: Celebrate Art, Culture, and History•Culture, art, and history make up the tapestry that bonds the community together and creates a sense of civic pride.•6.1 Art that is highlighted throughout Newport Beach that represents the common language and shared experiences that exist between all cultures
Please contact Laura Curran with any questions about this PPT.
From: City Clerk's Office
Sent: July 13, 2026 7:05 AM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer
Subject: FW: Concerns about the cost of Newport Heights proposed undergrounding of utilities
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, July 13, 2026 7:04:29 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Dept - City Council <[email protected]>; Sinacori, Mike <[email protected]>; City Clerk's Office <[email protected]>; Jurjis, Seimone <[email protected]>
Subject: Concerns about the cost of Newport Heights proposed undergrounding of utilities [EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
City Council and city officials,
The purpose of this letter is to ask you not to do the following: certify the current petition to underground utilities in the proposed district 118-2 of Newport Heights, spend money on an engineering study if the proponents do present you with petition signatures, or proceed with a vote.
After speaking with many of our neighbors recently, it sounds like the petition gatherers for this effort have not abided by the law. I am deeply concerned that they have misled people to sign the petition by saying that signing is simply to get more information about the issue.
They have also attached all sorts of extra written material (much of it not fact) to the actual petition, which is not legal. This should not be permitted and should invalidate the petition. If a future petition were submitted to you, I would expect the city to ensure the law was followed to gather and the signatures would be examined to ensure they are real homeowners.
I hope that the city is very careful with the money it spends. I don’t think that spending money on an engineering study, and then a vote when it has a chance of not passing, as happened 10 years ago, is a good plan.
July 14, 2026
Non-Agenda Item
I am concerned about the City’s lack of transparency regarding this process, and the fact that this process doesn’t seem to have any city oversight. The current City website has no information about this proposed effort. I fear many of our neighbors don’t know what is being proposed, and the personal impacts to each of them. We have lived in Newport Heights for over 25 years. We care about what happens in our neighborhood, and care about our neighbors. We would hate to be forced to pay for an aesthetic change that only some residents want. Additionally, it would be a tremendous hardship for many of our older residents. Allowing some residents to try to force everyone in the neighborhood, especially using a boundary line they drew up, to pay for an expensive change they want is not right. Please seriously consider your decisions about this issue.
Sincerely,
Simone and Mark Wilson
427 El Modena Ave
Newport Beach, CA 92663
City of Newport Beach
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660
July 13, 2026
Sent via e-mail to:
[email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
[email protected]; [email protected] Re: Transparency/Public Comment for Council Meetings
Dear Mayor Kleiman and each City Councilmember,
As you have heard from public commentors at a number of Council meetings this year, previously the City would offer paper copies of public comment submitted for each of those meetings, at the meetings. Printed copies of various materials related to agenda items were also common.
Staff Reports; Contract Proposals; Bids; City Financials; Letters; Updates; Etc.; Etc. You may even recall having seen these things being available to the public, in the alcove of chambers as you entered.
As you’ve also been told, these types of materials being readily available at your meetings, so that members of the public may be more fully informed of what you’re considering or acting on, and be better able to offer informed input, is now a thing of the past. Myself and others are deeply troubled by this, particularly in light of what we have heard from some of you about your promoting of, and campaigning on “transparency”.
Even more concerning though, is that not only has the City, under your stewardship, stopped providing copies of public comment and agenda materials at meetings, the Clerk has now stopped allowing members of the public to themselves pay the City to print the public record materials, so that other members of the public can have easy access to them at meetings like they used to.
In 2026, I’ve heard from several of you, at multiple meetings of Newport’s City Council, and at other types of meetings as well, talk about “transparency”. I had presumed your talk was about government transparency in the City of Newport Beach under you.
July 14, 2026
Non-Agenda Item
If that is indeed what you were talking about, I shall hope that the Mayor, and each Councilmember will now advocate in public, for a return to a time when attendees could be well informed with copies of materials to be considered at your meetings, rather than having to thumb through a City provided binder of materials at a library, the City Clerk’s Office, or wait in line at a meeting, with very limited time before the start of each meeting.
Enclosure: e-mails, with City Clerk declining to allow a member of the public to pay the City for copies of public record materials to be distributed at the July 14, 2026 City Council Meeting.
Thank you,
From: Ad lever <[email protected]>
Sent: July 11, 2026 12:01 PM
To: Shumway, Lena <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment for 07/14/2026
Hi Lena,
I have attached some materials as public comment for the City Council Meeting of 07/14/2026. I would like to have printed, 20 copies of each, for distribution at the meeting.
Please have the remarks on Agenda Item #4, Ordinance No. 2026-090 printed on two sides of one page, and the other materials printed single-sided.
Thank you,
Adam
From: Shumway, Lena <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2026 7:49 AM
To: Ad lever <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Public Comment for 07/14/2026
Hi Adam,
The City Clerk's Office does not provide copying services. However, you are welcome to have additional copies made at the Newport Beach Public Library, which offers public printing and copying services.
We will print one copy of your submission and include it with the other public comments as part of the agenda materials.
Best regards,
Lena Shumway
City Clerk
City Clerk’s Office
Office: 949-644-3007
100 Civic Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
From: ����������������������������������������City Clerk's Office Sent: ������������������������������������������July 13, 2026 3:30 PM To: ����������������������������������������������Mulvey, Jennifer Subject: ������������������������������������FW: Eight 80 Newport Beach 949-815-1963
From: Amanda's Pandas <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2026 3:29:23 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: City Clerk's Office <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Eight 80 Newport Beach 949-815-1963
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
July 14, 2026
Non-Agenda Item
Dear City of Newport Beach Council,
I am sending this as public comment on behalf of a Disabled friend of mine who can't speak up for herself. She resides at Eight 80 Newport apartments, situated near Dover and 16th Street. The Housing Authority pays most of her rent and she's dependent on this to continue. Tragically, the property management is jeopardizing her Section 8 Voucher by failing to follow through with essential home repairs.
I agreed to write in on her behalf because she's experiencing a lot of pain and suffering. She's been enduring a nightmare from unusually lengthy repairs that have been going on, in some form or another, since 5/20/26.
According to documents I've seen and videos I've watched, property management grossly misled her as to the timeline of her apartment repairs and failed to adhere to basic industry standards, as well as ignoring safety protocol and permit mandates.
On 5/5/26 the Housing Authority did their annual inspection which revealed multiple deficiencies in her dwelling unit. Of those, the most serious one was mold on her bedroom ceiling. Management has a contract with a certain Servpro franchise based out of Cerritos, and they did an assessment on her unit in the middle of May. They made no effort to apply for permits with the City until 5/21.
On 6/8 and 6/9, Servpro began demolition of her bedroom ceiling despite not having a permit. It was actually not until several days after said demolition that a permit was approved and issued by the City.
The lady was coerced by management into allowing the demolition to proceed without the mandatory permit, and the demolition took place while she was on the other side of the bedroom wall in the living room! As part of the demolition process, Servpro also took out a vertical beam that functions as a structural column. This beam runs from the ceiling down to the floorboard where it's anchored. It basically holds up the wood framing within the ceiling and functions as a support.
Over 5 weeks later, the structural beam is still laying on the floor, right where Servpro left it after the demolition. It has nails in it that look to be about 6-8 inches long, and on the top the wood is rotten and slimy. There are also several other support beams and poles that were left laying on the floor with similar nails and screws and in a similar state. The closet doors, which were removed also have mold at the bottom of them, but were left propped vertically up against the wall.
I have been in her apartment several times since the project started and the nasty smell and mess left behind by Servpro was really cringe!
To back up and unpack; On 6/2 she was forced by management to empty the bedroom of everything save for one mattress. Her bedroom remains vacant at time of writing. Every day she has had to make do with using her living room as a storage place for her bedroom belongings. Her living room qualifies as a fire hazard due to all her belongings tightly packed together.
At first she was advised (per a written notice) that the repairs would take "2-3 weeks". Once that timeframe expired, she was promptly given another notice of the exact same repairs again predicting "2-3 weeks" (in addition to).
It's believed that the property management, UDR is serving these continuous "2-3 weeks" notices to circumvent the requirements of temporarily relocating her. They knew, or must have known, that repairs would take far in excess of 30 days. They pretended it would not exceed 3 weeks to avoid their obligation to arrange alternate lodging while the repairs were in progress.
At this time, the mold remediation and build back are complete, but Servpro is delaying the restoration process. They have only finished about 1/5th of the paint, despite the painting portion of the job being ongoing since 6/29.
She has video evidence to support the fact a demolition was performed on 6/9 without a permit (something UDR Eight 80 has not even denied happening.) She's also concerned the delays caused by Servpro are going to lead to the loss of her Housing Choice Voucher and ability to remain here.
This would be catastrophic, because finding another place would take months. Besides, she does not want to move, despite everything UDR Eight 80 has put her through. She actually says she likes living here and loves Newport Beach! She does not understand why the management is making her miserable over repairs.
If this property does not finish the project by 7/20, which is only a week from now the Housing Authority will stop paying and she will be facing eviction for something that's not even her fault.
She says a significant reason for the unjustified delay is Servpro only has one guy working and he frequently abandons the project in order to work in other units on the same property. She says she informed Servpro over and over again of the urgency of the matter, and asked them to commit to a completion date, but to no avail.
She is traumatized by the intrusive and invasive nature of the repairs and the fact that Servpro employees have the entry code to her front door's keypad and often come in and out after normal business hours. I have watched videos and they are not even wearing uniforms, and drive unmarked work vans. This is against Servpro's own regulations which require their franchisee's employees and vehicles to be recognizable.
The lady has also informed management that some of her personal belongings were damaged by Servpro during the repairs, but got no response or acknowledgement.
I attached some pictures of the repairs and lack of progress. The paint job does seem very sloppy.
The lady is interested in any professional contractors who might be able to take over and professionally complete the job. She would pay out of pocket and seek reimbursement from UDR Eight 80, because she desperately wants to remain stably housed.
If you have any comments please contact Mimi Steiner, who is in charge of Remediations at UDR EIGHT 80. She can be reached at 949-815-1963.
Best,
Mandy J.
Sent with Proton Mail secure email.