City Council
Meeting Minutes
September 22, 2026, 4:00 PM
I. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Lauren Kleiman, Mayor Pro Tern Noah Blom, Councilmember Michelle Barto, Councilmember Robyn Grant, Councilmember Joe Stapleton, Councilmember Sara J. Weber, Councilmember Erik Weigand
Staff Present: City Manager Seimone Jurjis, City Attorney Aaron C. Harp, City Clerk Lena Shurnway
Invocation was led by Dave Manne, Pastor Emeritus, Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Stapleton.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA AND NON -AGENDA ITEMS
The following members of the public addressed the Council:
Chip Stassel (Newport Heights resident) opposed the proposed utility undergrounding for Assessment District 118-2, arguing the cost burden is inappropriate for individual homeowners, that home insurance rates would not be affected, and that the petition process lacked adequate notification.
Susan Skinner (resident) criticized the City Council majority for what she characterized as deliberate obstruction of four citizen ballot initiatives, citing court orders requiring compliance, legal fees reportedly exceeding $1,000,000, and the potential personal liability of council members for ministerial decisions not carried out according to law.
Jeanne Fobes (Newport Heights resident since 1970) attempted to address the Council via video but experienced technical difficulties; her comments were partially inaudible.
Rick Weiss (Newport Heights resident) presented a detailed review of 12 prior City undergrounding petitions, alleging that undergrounding proponents Michael Henn and Andrea Bird were improperly allowed by City Engineer Michael Sinacori to insert self- serving and misleading language —including phrases such as "nonbinding" and "no financial obligation" —into the AD 118-2 petition, language that does not appear in any prior City petition.
Gary Steinberg (Newport Heights homeowner) argued that language inserted into the AD 118-2 petition incorrectly states that more than 50% of property owners must vote in favor for the district to form, which he said directly contradicts California law under Proposition 218, where only returned ballots are counted and weighted by assessment amount. He requested the City Council suspend further circulation of the petition.
Portia Weiss (Newport Heights resident) urged the Council to have the City Attorney verify Mr. Steinberg's legal claims, suspend circulation of the AD 118-2 petition, and undertake a comprehensive review of the flawed process, including prohibiting proponents from inserting language into official city petitions.
Evelyn Kroner (Lido Isle resident) urged the Council to move forward immediately with placing three citizen initiative measures on the November general election ballot, accusing the Council of stonewalling and obstructing the process in defiance of court orders.
Lynn Lorenz (resident) discussed parallels between Newport Beach's undergrounding situation and Manhattan Beach's piecemeal undergrounding approach, and raised background information regarding former Councilmember Mike Henn as a long- standing proponent of undergrounding.
Kevin Conklin (Newport Heights resident, 22 years) argued that the undergrounding effort primarily benefits a small number of homes along Santa Ana Avenue seeking unobstructed views, while financially burdening the broader neighborhood, with costs of $50,000-$70,000 per home that many residents cannot afford.
Coeli Hylkema (mooring permit holder) requested that the City adopt the State Lands Commission Category 1 benchmark rate for recreational docks, piers, and mooring buoys, arguing that mooring permit holders are overcharged and treated inequitably compared to yacht club members and residential pier permit holders.
Jim Noose (Newport Heights resident) stated his family has lived in the neighborhood since the mid -1960s without experiencing power failures or fires, and expressed concern that the financial burden of undergrounding would force long-time residents on fixed incomes to sell their homes.
Jed Robinson (Newport Heights resident, 43 years) noted that the City previously spent taxpayer dollars improving the neighborhood's alleyways and that Southern California Edison recently upgraded local equipment, arguing that undergrounding would destroy those investments for no tangible safety gain.
Aarti Chopra (Irvine resident and Newport Beach Chamber member) requested that the Council designate September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in memory of her late mother, a physician who passed away from the disease, and highlighted the lack of a reliable diagnostic test for the cancer. Mayor Kleiman requested Ms. Chopra share her contact information with staff to follow up on the proclamation request.
Siobhan Robinson (Newport Heights resident, 43 years) read a letter she had previously sent to all Councilmembers in July without receiving a response, formally opposing the AD 118-2 petition process and citing omissions of critical information, including the potential for foreclosure and the rights being waived by signers.
Simone Wilson (Newport Heights resident) requested that Jeannie Fobes's video statement be replayed with sound, voiced opposition to the undergrounding proposal, and expressed concern about lack of transparency in the petition process and the alleged strong-arming of older residents to sign the petition.
Lisa Sutton (Corona del Mar resident) raised concerns about the Corona del Mar Corridor Study, stating that the process is moving rapidly toward zoning changes, increased density, mixed -use housing, and entertainment uses that she and many residents believe are incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood, and asked the Council to slow down and reconnect with the community.
In response to the volume of undergrounding comments, City Manager Jurjis clarified for the record that the undergrounding petition process for AD 118-2 is entirely
resident -driven and not a City -initiated effort, and that the City Council would only consider the matter if and when petitions are formally delivered.
CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ORAL REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
ON COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
Councilmember Barto reported attending the State of OC Sand luncheon with Councilmember Weigand and noted the sand replenishment project is proceeding on schedule and that one of Newport Beach's beaches received an honorable mention for cleanest beach in the county.
Councilmember Grant reported attending a federal advocacy trip to Washington D.C. as the district 5 representative for the Association of California Cities in Orange County, engaging with federal leaders on sand replenishment, public safety, and John Wayne Airport. She also announced Newport Beach's designation as an official Tennis Town by the USTA Southern California, and recognized the Lido Legacy Live charity concerts, which raised over $120,000 for the Junior Lifeguard Scholarship Program and the Friends of OASIS Senior Center. She additionally noted her participation in the Newport Harbor Elks and American Legion's 25th anniversary 9/11 remembrance ceremony.
Councilmember Stapleton thanked Mike Zimmerman and the Friends of OASIS for their car show, recognized residents who attended his District 1 Town Hall covering topics including the 4th of July, sand replenishment, and public safety, and thanked City staff who participated. He solemnly reported that a 37 -year -old paddler, a member of the Olson family, passed away during the Ben Did Go paddle event on Saturday after a medical emergency at mile 10, leaving behind a wife and two young children, and asked the City to rally around the family.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR
Adam Leverenz expressed concern regarding Item 2, Ordinance No. 2026-15, specifically objecting to the curfew provision banning minors from the beach between 6 PM and 6 AM on three designated days, and arguing the ordinance conflicts with Title 21 of the Municipal Code governing beach hours under the Local Coastal Program.
Jim Mosher objected to adopting two ordinances without reading their titles before the vote, called attention to the curfew provision as broader than the agenda title suggested, noted the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act, raised copyright concerns with the records retention schedule, questioned the public education component relative to adding a new staffing position for trash and recycling goals, and asked whether the City was receiving any financial recovery from the prior drone vendor given the purchase of replacement equipment.
Walter Stahr argued that the curfew ordinance effectively applies year-round to minors between 10 PM and 6 AM Citywide and shuts down a large area on three designated days, voiced concern that the ordinance may violate the California Coastal Act, criticized the records retention policy for potentially allowing Council meeting videos to be discarded shortly after meetings, and questioned why the $4,500,000 drone purchase lacked a comparative analysis of alternatives.
Andy Gerken expressed skepticism that the curfew ordinance would effectively address the 4th of July crowd issues, suggesting the "Not in Newport" campaign may have inflamed the situation, and recommended bringing in outside professional expertise to develop a more comprehensive prevention strategy.
Omar Herrera (Newport Coast resident) expressed support for the drone program, noting that other agencies with similar programs are achieving high crime -catching rates, and thanked the Council for taking steps toward public safety on the 4th of July.
Lisa Sutton (Corona del Mar resident) reiterated the need for adequate police staffing and resources, arguing that no ordinance would be effective without sufficient personnel to enforce it, and noting the challenges of increased density and tourism in her neighborhood.
Following public comment, Councilmember Weigand thanked Traffic Sergeant Fabbri for her work in securing the traffic safety grant in Item 14.
City Attorney Harp clarified that the City's curfew for minors has been in place since at least 1964 and that Ordinance No. 2026-15 does not change beach hours but narrows restrictions to three days per year, requiring minors to be accompanied or to have a legitimate reason to be present. Mayor Pro Tem Blom and City Manager Jurjis further clarified that Title 21 of the Local Coastal Program governs land use entitlements and development, not law enforcement, and that the ordinance does not restrict public access to the beach.
Councilmember Stapleton announced a recusal on Item 8 due to a financial conflict of interest, as his clients own EwasteDisposal, Inc. Item 11 was pulled by staff for return to the October 13th agenda.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar (Items 1-15), excluding Item 11 (continued to October 13), and noting Councilmember Stapleton's recusal on Item 8, was made by Mayor Pro Tem Blom and seconded by Councilmember Barto.
The motion carried by unanimous vote, 7-0.
The City Clerk read the titles of the adopted ordinances:
Ordinance No. 2026-15: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Amending Subsection (B) (Safety Enhancement Zone) of Section 1.04.010 (Violations, Penalties, Enforcement) of Chapter 1.04 (Code Enforcement) of Title 1 (General Provisions), Amending Chapter 10.36 (Minor's Curfew), and Adding Chapter 10.80 (Public Safety Orders and Regulation of Large Gatherings) to Title 10 (Offenses and Nuisances) and Amending Section
11.03.020 (General Provisions) of Chapter 11.03 (Special Events) of Title 11 (Recreational Activities) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code to Address Illegal Activity and Public Safety During High -Risk Periods and Other Significant Crowd Events.
Ordinance No. 2026-16: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Updating the Military Equipment Use Policy for the Newport Beach Police Department.
II. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Minutes
Approval of Minutes for the September 8, 2026, Regular City Council Meeting, and Minutes of the September 11, 2026, Special City Council meeting.
ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION
2. Ordinance No. 2026-15: Amending the Newport Beach Municipal Code to Address Illegal Activity and Public Safety During High -Risk Periods and Other Significant Crowd Events
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) Waive full reading of an Ordinance, read by title only, conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2026-15.
3. Ordinance No. 2026-16: Updating the Military Equipment Use Policy for the Newport Beach Police Department
a) Determine this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3); and
b) Waive full reading of an Ordinance, read by title only, conduct Second Reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2026-16.
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
4. Resolution No. 2026-84: Amendments to the Records Retention Schedule a) Determine this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3);
b) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-84, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Amending Certain Sections of the Records Retention Schedule and Authorizing Destruction of Certain Records.
5. Resolution No. 2026-85: Amending the Staffing Structure of the City Manager's Office and the Municipal Operations Department a) Determine this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3);
b) Approve the following changes to employee positions and assignments: (i) eliminate one full-time Management Fellow position from the City Manager's Office; and (ii) add one full-time Assistant Management Analyst position to the Municipal Operations Department; and
c) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-85.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
6. Amendment No. Three to the Purchase, Installation and Maintenance Agreement with Axon for Skydio Drones and Body Worn Cameras a) Determine this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3); and
b) Approve Amendment No. Three to the Purchase, Installation and Maintenance Agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona for Skydio drones and
related products and services and 14 additional body worn cameras in an amount not - to -exceed $4,506,801.18 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Amendment; and
c) Approve Budget Amendment No. 27-017 appropriating $283,011.55 in increased expenditures in Account No. 01035355-811065 and $23,934.88 in Account No. 75304-811004 from the unappropriated General Fund balance.
7. Professional Services Agreement with BKF Engineers for the Eastbluff Drive Pavement Rehabilitation Project - Contract No. 10184-1 (27R14) a) Determine this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3); and
b) Approve a Professional Services Agreement with BKF Engineers of Newport Beach for Eastbluff Drive Pavement Rehabilitation Design Services for a total not -to -exceed amount of $328,078, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement.
8. Amendment No. One to Service Agreement with EwasteDisposal, Inc., for Hazardous Disposal Services (Contract No. 7371-3)
(Councilmember Stapleton recused due to financial conflict of interest.) a) Determine this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3); and
b) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. One to On -Call Maintenance/Repair Services Agreement with EwasteDisposal, Inc., for As -Needed Disposal Services for Asbestos Cement Pipe and Other Hazardous Items to increase the contract amount by $80,000 for a total contract not -to -exceed amount of $200,000 and extend the contract an additional two years to a new expiration date of October 31, 2028.
9. Professional Services Agreement with Water Resources Economics, LLC for Water, Wastewater, and Recycled Water Rate Study
a) Determine this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3); and
b) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Water Resources Economics, LLC for Water, Wastewater, and Recycled Water Rate Study for a term of two years and a contract compensation amount not -to -exceed $185,000.
10. Professional Services Agreement with T & G Global, LLC dba St. Nick's Christmas Lighting and Decor for Holiday Decorations at Civic Center, Central Library, Marina Park, OASIS Senior Center, Newport Coast Community Center and Community Youth Center
a) Determine this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3); and
b) Approve a five-year Professional Services Agreement with T & G Global, LLC, for Rental and Installation of Holiday Decorations Citywide for a total not -to -exceed amount of $159,380, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Agreement.
11. Bonita Creek Park Athletic Field Turf Replacement - Award of Contract No. 9890-2 (26P11)
(Pulled by staff; continued to the October 13, 2026 City Council meeting.)
MISCELLANEOUS
12. Third Amendment to Lease with Secada Medical, LLC for Use of Suites 470, 485, and 400 at 1201 Dove Street
a) Find this matter is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 and Section 15302; and
b) Authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute the Third Amendment to Lease between the City of Newport Beach and Secada Medical, LLC (dba Ventris Medical) for use of City Property, office space Suites 400, 470, and 485 located at 1201 Dove Street.
13. Amendment No. One to Affordable Housing Loan Agreement with American Family Housing for the Avon River Homekey Project at 1400 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa
a) Find this project and the City Council's subsequent action are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 and Section 15302;
b) Approve Budget Amendment No. 27-025, appropriating $262,500 from the Affordable Housing, Restricted Programs unappropriated fund balance for increased expenditures in the Permanent Supportive Housing Account No. 1800011-811055; and
c) Authorize the City Manager to finalize negotiations and authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute the Amendment No. One to the Affordable Housing Loan Agreement between the City of Newport Beach and American Family Housing, LLC, to loan an additional $262,500, utilizing the City of Newport Beach's Affordable Housing Fund, to convert the property at 1400 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, into permanent supportive housing.
14. Acceptance of the State of California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant PT27109
a) Determine this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3);
b) Authorize the City Council to accept a $497,000 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program award granted to the Newport Beach Police Department by the State of California, Office of Traffic Safety; and
c) Approve Budget Amendment No. 27-020 increasing Newport Beach Police Department revenue estimates and expenditure appropriations by $497,000.
15. Planning Commission Agenda for the September 17, 2026, Meeting Receive and file.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
11. Bonita Creek Park Athletic Field Turf Replacement - Award of Contract No. 9890-2 (26P11)
Continued to the October 13, 2026 City Council meeting at the request of staff.
CURRENT BUSINESS
16. Resolution No. 2026-86: Approving a 180 -Day Wait Period Exception Pursuant to Government Code Sections 7522.56 and 21224 for the Appointment of Retired Annuitant Justin Carr as an Extra Help Retired Annuitant a) Determine this action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3);
b) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-86, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Approving a 180 -Day Wait Period Exception Pursuant to Government Code Sections 7522.56 and 21224 for the Appointment of Retired Annuitant Justin Carr as an Extra Help Retired Annuitant; and c) Authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute a Post Retirement Temporary Employment Agreement with Justin Carr for Assistant Fire Chief Services, with an effective date of October 5, 2026, and a term date of December 25, 2026.
Jim Mosher acknowledged that Assistant Fire Chief Carr is an outstanding public employee, noted that this item is required by CaIPERS law to come before the Council, and asked whether it would have been more economical to encourage Chief Carr to complete his pending work before retiring, rather than rehiring him as a retired annuitant.
Councilmember Grant expressed strong support for the measure, noting Chief Carr's exemplary service, invaluable institutional knowledge, and the fire chief's endorsement of his retention. She noted that the City would be compensating someone for this work regardless, and that Chief Carr is uniquely qualified given his operational experience.
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026-86 and approve the Post Retirement Temporary Employment Agreement with Justin Carr was made by Councilmember Grant and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Blom.
The motion carried by unanimous vote, 7-0.
Ill. PUBLIC HEARINGS
17. Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2025-26, Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
a) Hold a public hearing to receive comments on the Program Year 2025-26 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report;
b) Find this activity exempt from CEQA pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3);
c) Approve the Program Year 2025-26 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report; and
d) Authorize the City Manager or his designee to submit the Program Year 2025-26 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
City Manager Jurjis provided a brief staff report, noting the City received approximately $402,000 in CDBG allocation plus $318,000 in program income for a total of $698,000 expended during the year, primarily on ADA sidewalk improvements, public services, and program administration and fair housing. Real Property Manager Lauren Wooding Whitlinger was present to answer questions.
Jim Mosher observed that the required legal notice in the Daily Pilot generated zero public comments, questioned the lack of progress on the business and job creation goal, noted the Meals on Wheels program served only 42 of a goal of 100 homebound seniors, questioned the precise ADA ramp beneficiary figure of 6,669 persons, and asked for clarification on outcomes for the 88 persons placed in homeless shelters.
Councilmember Grant asked staff to clarify how unexpended funds are managed. Staff confirmed that unspent funds roll over and are reprogrammed by the City Council as needed, and that funds remain available for up to seven years, enabling the City to deploy large capital expenditures without losing allocations.
Mayor Pro Tem Blom commended staff for not spending simply to spend, and praised the ADA platform constructed at The Wedge as particularly well received by the community.
Motion to approve the Program Year 2025-26 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report and authorize its submission to HUD was made by Mayor Pro Tem Blom and seconded by Councilmember Grant.
The motion carried by unanimous vote, 7-0.
IV. MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION
The City Clerk read the statement on motions for reconsideration. No motions for reconsideration were made.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION
Jim Mosher commented on Item 19, the two existing litigation matters involving the Newport Beach Stewardship Association, urging the Council to recognize that while the Association bears some responsibility, the greater fault lies with the City. He also reminded the Council that the Brown Act provision cited for closed session is limited to legal strategy on litigation matters —not election administration updates.
V. CLOSED SESSION
18. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — ANTICIPATED LITIGATION —
INITIATION OF LITIGATION
Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4): 1 matter.
19. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1): 2 matters.
A. City of Newport Beach v. Newport Beach Stewardship Association & Newport Beach Stewardship Association v. Lena Shumway et al. — Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2026-01559183
B. City of Newport Beach et al. v. Robert Page et al. — Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2026-01580961
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Harp reported there was no closed session report.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m.