September 8, 2026
Agenda Item No. 16
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Seimone Jurjis, City Manager - 949-644-3001, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Jason Al-Imam, Administrative Services Director - 949-644-3026, [email protected] TITLE:
City Hall and Limited Off-Site Holiday Closure (Beginning Thursday, December 24, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027) ABSTRACT:
The City Manager's Office seeks City Council approval for the closure of City Hall and certain City of Newport Beach (City) facilities from Thursday, December 24, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027. The proposed closure would not apply to public safety services or emergency, on-call functions.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
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 closing City Hall and providing limited services at certain off-site facilities from Thursday, December 24, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027.
DISCUSSION:
The City Manager's Office proposes a holiday closure of City Hall and certain City facilities and services from Thursday, December 24, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027. All facilities and services would be open on Monday, January 4, 2027.
For the last 17 years, the City has closed certain administrative offices and programs during this period in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays. The only exception was in 2012, when City Hall was moved to its current location. If approved, during the closure essential services will continue to be provided to meet the community's needs and certain departments and divisions will remain open including police, fire, lifeguard, utilities, harbor, facilities maintenance, information technology, and library services. There will be no impact to first responder services.
There are certain benefits to closing City Hall between Christmas and the New Year. Historically, service demands have been low during this time period. Additionally, the City realizes cost savings in the form of reduced utilities and fuel use. Further, the proposed closure provides an opportunity to perform annual facility maintenance and repairs to City Hall without noise and disruption. If the closure is approved, it is anticipated that there will be interior and exterior painting, carpet cleaning, and replacement of fluorescent light bulbs.
Under the proposed closure, City Hall and other City facilities will be closed:
Thursday, December 24, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027.
If the proposed closure is not approved, City Hall and other facilities will be closed in observance of the holidays as follows:
Thursday, December 24, 2026 (full day closure in observance of Christmas Eve) Friday, December 25, 2026 (full day closure in observance of Christmas Day) Thursday, December 31, 2026 (full day closure in observance of New Year's Eve) Friday, January 1, 2027 (full day closure in observance of New Year's Day) A list of each department's proposed hours of operation is attached (Attachment A). Appropriate security and accountability measures will be in place for employees serving in positions requiring them to work during the proposed closure.
The City's bargaining unit representatives agree with the proposed closure. It is understood that employees may be required to use their own leave time for the days not covered by paid holiday leave.
If approved by the City Council, communication regarding the holiday closure will be coordinated by the City Manager's Office and the City Clerk's Office. The community will receive notice of the closure through signage at impacted facilities, press releases, social media channels, and the City's website.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The reduced operating hours over the entire holiday period will save utilities and fuel use and may lower the City’s liability for accrued employee leave time.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 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 for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
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 – Hours of Operation for the Civic Center and City Facilities City Hall and Limited Off-Site Holiday Closure (Beginning Thursday, December 24, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027) September 8, 2026
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