HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/18/2020 - Special MeetingCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Minutes
Special Meeting
March 18, 2020
I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
H. ROLL CALL - 10:31 a.m.
Present: Mayor Will O'Neill, Mayor Pro Tem Brad Avery (telephonically), Council Member Joy Brenner
(telephonically), Council Member Diane Dixon, Council Member Duffy Duffield
(telephonically), Council Member Jeff Herdman (telephonically)
Absent: Council Member Kevin Muldoon (excused)
Mayor O'Neill reviewed the purpose of and process for the special meeting, encouraged everyone to pay
attention to the City's social media updates and website regarding COVID-19, and assured the senior
community that the City supports them and they can call the OASIS Senior Center with any questions
or concerns.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Mosher encouraged Council to conduct most of the Closed Session discussions in public and
explained why he believed the Government Code does not pertain to the Coronavirus threat.
Mayor O'Neill indicated that most, if not all, of what will be discussed during Closed Session will be
reiterated during open session and assured everyone that Council is not hiding anything.
City Attorney Harp reported the City Council would adjourn to Closed Session to discuss the item listed
in the Closed Session agenda and read the title.
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 10:37 a.m.
IV. CLOSED SESSION
A. THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES
(Government Code § 54957): 1 matter
Consultation with: City of Newport Beach Police Chief, Jon Lewis, and Fire Chief, Jeff Boyles,
regarding matters posing a threat to: the security of public buildings, the security of essential public
services, and the public's right of access to public services or public facilities, all of which are
associated with the COVID-19 outbreak and the State of Emergency declared by Governor Gavin
Newsom on March 4, 2020, and the proclamation of a Local Emergency by the Director of Emergency
Services on March 15, 2020.
All Council Members, except for Council Member Muldoon, were present during Closed
Session.
The City Council reconvened at 11:02 a.m.
City Attorney Harp announced that there were no reportable actions taken during Closed Session.
Present: Mayor Will O'Neill, Mayor Pro Tem Brad Avery (telephonically), Council Member Joy Brenner
(telephonically), Council Member Diane Dixon, Council Member Duffy Duffield
(telephonically), Council Member Jeff Herdman (telephonically), Council Member Kevin
Muldoon (telephonically)
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City of Newport Beach
Special Meeting
March 18, 2020
V. CURRENT BUSINESS
1. Resolution No. 2020-25: Ratifying the March 15, 2020 Proclamation of Local Emergency
[100-2020]
City Manager Leung reported that the City is moving forward at a rapid pace due to the information
being disseminated; indicated the City is in the mode of preparing, not panicking, and moving
forward with Federal, State, and County guidelines; and assured everyone that the City has the
structure and organization in place to respond to the community and employees. She utilized a
presentation to report on the current situation; highlight actions taken by the City in late February,
early March, after the March 12 and March 15 State Guidelines were released, and after the
March 17 Orange County Health Officer Order and clarifications were released; announce that,
starting March 18, all City buildings were closed and all City meetings, except for Council meetings,
were canceled or postponed until the end of March; review City services still available; and discuss
next steps and considerations. She encouraged residents to go to newportbeachca.gov/covidl9 for
information and for the senior community to contact the OASIS Senior Center at 949-644-3244 with
questions or concerns.
Police Chief Lewis reported that the Police Department remains a full-service law enforcement
agency, but explained how it is operating differently to adhere to social distancing; noted that the
County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated; indicated that, as information is being
released quickly, they are implementing measures and asked everyone to be patient with them.
Fire Chief Boyles reported that there are currently 29 cases of Coronavirus in the County, the City
EOC has been operational since Sunday, the Fire Department has been working with skilled nursing
facilities and convalescent homes, fire stations have been closed to the public since last week, they
discontinued all non-essential public outreach, no Fire Department personnel have exhibited any
signs, supplies are sufficient for now, they have a system in place with local hospitals to track
exposure of first responders. He indicated that testing has increased nationwide, so the counts will
increase. He assured everyone that the Fire Department is ready to respond, not only to public
safety, but also respond from a service standpoint.
Mayor O'Neill encouraged the City's senior community to call the OASIS Senior Center if they have
needs, expressed support and appreciation to medical professionals, their families, and first
responders, noted the non -emergency Police number is 949-644-3717, expressed support toward the
hospitality industry, restaurants, and parents, noted the City has asked Southern California Edison
(SCE) to delay any power shutdowns or planned power outages, reminded everyone that cities are
not public health agencies and are taking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), encouraged the public to pay attention to the medical experts' suggestions, and
noted how important volunteers have become in the Year of the Volunteer.
Council Member Herdman agreed with Mayor O'Neill, thanked him for his leadership, and asked
everyone to stay safe.
Council Member Dixon noted these are unprecedented times, received information from City
Attorney Harp that the County order needs clarifying, but it was not a "shelter in place" order,
thanked City staff and the first responders for activating the EOC, and believed that the message
to the public should be to use common sense and do not put yourself or others at risk.
Council Member Muldoon thanked the first responders, staff, and the medical professionals,
encouraged everyone to practice social distancing and help one another, and believed this emergency
will not be insurmountable.
Mayor Pro Tem Avery noted how lucky he is to live in Newport Beach, commended City staff and
first responders, and encouraged everyone to reach out to their neighbors and take care of each
other.
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City of Newport Beach
Special Meeting
March 18, 2020
Council Member Duffield commended Mayor O'Neill, expressed support for all the actions the City
has taken and will be taking in the future, and thanked staff.
Council Member Brenner thanked everyone involved, expressed how proud she is of the City and
how it is responding, and cautioned people to consider their health and practice social distancing.
Jim Mosher believed the wording in the proclamation is overbroad relative to enforcement and
should say the order is specifically related to the emergency, not for any other reason. Regarding
Council meetings during the period of the emergency, he suggested that the public be allowed to call
in their comments and the City should accept emails and texts during the meeting and they should
be read aloud.
City Attorney Harp confirmed that the proclamation stipulates that the order ends when the
emergency ends.
Motion by Mayor O'Neill, seconded by Council Member Dixon, to 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. 2020-25, AResolution of the City
Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, (i) Ratifying the Proclamation of a Local Emergency
Issued on March 15, 2020 by City Manager Grace Leung, the Director of Emergency Services for the
City of Newport Beach, and (ii) Approving and Authorizing Certain Actions Relating Thereto.
The motion carried unanimously.
VI. ADJOURNMENT — 11:46 a.m.
The special meeting 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 on March 17, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.
Will O'Neill
Mayor
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk "WU._
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