September 8, 2026
Agenda Item No. 7
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
Seimone Jurjis, City Manager - 949-644-3001, [email protected] PREPARED BY:
Benjamin M. Zdeba, Deputy City Manager - 949-644-3253, [email protected] TITLE:
Resolution No. 2026-76: Creating the Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee ABSTRACT:
For the City Council’s consideration is the adoption of Resolution No. 2026-76, which, if adopted, would create the Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee (Committee) and establish its purpose and operating parameters, and set its membership. The Committee’s primary purpose would be to develop and recommend public safety strategies for holidays and other needs as identified by the City of Newport Beach (City).
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) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-76, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Creating the Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee.
DISCUSSION:
On August 25, 2026, City Councilmember Robyn Grant requested the City Council’s consideration of creating a committee to develop and recommend public safety strategies for holidays and other City needs. Consistent with Council Policy A-1, a straw poll vote was conducted and three of the seven City Councilmembers voted in favor of staff returning with an item, which is a satisfactory majority for items requested pursuant to this policy.
The City has already taken several proactive steps with respect to public safety during high-attendance holiday periods. These include amendments to the Newport Beach Municipal Code, closure of certain streets, and enhancement of the City's communication network, all aimed at mitigating the impacts historically associated with increased public safety risks, noise disturbances, illegal fireworks, overcrowding, and other violations of law.
In response to heightened activity during this year’s 4th of July Holiday, the City Council conducted a straw poll at its July 28, 2026, City Council meeting and unanimously confirmed the pursuit of additional regulatory measures in four specific areas: (1) minor curfew and parental accountability; (2) unlawful mass gatherings; (3) promotion of special events on social media; and (4) modifications related to the City's Safety Enhancement Zones.
The attached resolution would establish the new Committee consisting of three members who shall be appointed by the Mayor. The sole purpose and responsibility of the Committee is to make recommendations to the entire City Council regarding public safety strategies for holidays and other City needs. The scope of the Committee's work encompasses, at a minimum, the four regulatory areas confirmed by straw poll at the July 28, 2026, City Council meeting. The resolution also contemplates that the Committee may develop additional recommendations beyond those four areas as it deems appropriate in furtherance of the City's public safety objectives.
Consistent with the City's standard City Council ad hoc committee framework, the Committee shall function as an advisory body only and would expire upon making its recommendations to the entire City Council. Furthermore, the Committee would not be subject to the Brown Act; however, the recommendations of the Committee to the City Council would be considered at a noticed public meeting by the entire City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
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 – Resolution
Resolution No. 2026-76: Creating the Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee September 8, 2026
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