HomeMy WebLinkAbout00 - Insider's GuideUpcoming Events
The Week in Review
City Manager Grace K. Leung
July 24, 2020
Community members,
City Council Nomination Period Indoor operations at many businesses in Orange County and
July 13 — August 7 @ 4:30 p.m. throughout the state remain closed due to increases in COVID-
19 cases and hospitalizations.
Monday, July 27
Aviation Committee Meeting
(See agenda for instructions on
how to participate)
5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28
City Council Closed Session
City Hall, Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
(See agenda for instructions on
how to participate)
4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28
City Council Regular Meeting
City Hall, Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
(See agenda for instructions on
how to participate)
5 p.m.
(Insider's Guide)
Thursday, July 30
Zoning Administrator Mtg.
City Hall, City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Dr.
(See agenda for instructions on
how to participate)
10 a.m.
However, the state has offered some flexibility when it comes to
outdoor operations in some sectors.
Gov. Newsom announced Monday, July 20 that hair and nail
salons and massage services could be provided outdoors, under
newly released guidelines. Businesses that require hygienic
equipment, such as tattoo and piercing shops, are not permitted
to operate outdoors.
Newport Beach business owners who are seeking to provide
outdoor hair, nail or massage services can apply for a free City
permit under the "Fast Track Back to Business" program. The
program was established last month to allow restaurants and
other commercial businesses to expand into parking lots,
sidewalks, or other private and public property.
Under the City's emergency temporary use permit, businesses
may use parking areas and other property in a manner that meets
safety requirements and does not create a public hazard. Permit
holders are inspected to ensure compliance with the permit
conditions. Also, approved businesses may use temporary
banners to promote their services.
For applications and more information please
visit: www.newportbeachca.gov/backtobusiness/.
On Friday, June 24, Newsom's office released a "COVID-19
Employer Playbook" that includes guidance for workplace safety,
best practices for an outbreak, testing information for employees,
and more. The document, available at this link, provides useful
information for business and industry to slow the transmission of
COVID-19 and prepare for cases among employees.
COVID-19 Cases in Newport Beach
The number of COVID-19 cases in Newport Beach as of July 24 is 766 and the total cases in
Orange County is 33,358. The number of recovered COVID-19 patients countywide as of July 24
was 18,007.
Statewide there has been a steady increase in the number of new cases, hospitalizations and
ICU hospitalizations. While the State and County are now better prepared to handle the increase
— and currently have adequate hospital capacity, ventilators and PPE available — the upward trend
is concerning. The Governor and health officials continue to strongly emphasize the necessity of
proper social distancing, the wearing of masks when in public and the importance of regular
handwashing.
COVID-19 News and Resources
The County of Orange continues to add new COVID-19 data and information to its website at
https:Hoccovidl9.ochealthinfo.com/coronavirus-in-oc.
The County of Orange Healthcare Agency's COVID-19 Hotline can be reached at (714) 834-2000,
or by email at, ETeam(a)-ochca.com. County staff monitors the hotline and email box and answers
questions about industry reopening and activity resumption, current guidance and more.
The County also maintains a growing list of FDA -approved testing sites for County residents who
are showing symptoms of COVID-19. If you are showing symptoms, please contact your
healthcare provider for testing information first. If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit
https:Hoccovidl9.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-testing-and-screening for testing information. The
SOS Health Center in Newport Beach is an approved community testing site. Call (949) 270-
2100 for an appointment.
Please visit newportbeachca.gov/covid19 for the latest City news and useful web resources,
including information about the federal, state, and county resources available to help small
businesses and workers that have been financially impacted. We also have a page of free
resources available through the Newport Beach Public Library and local organizations like
SCORE, including online learning and business databases. You can also follow the City on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and look for alerts from our City staff on Nextdoor.
Back Bay Drive Reopens Full -Time for Pedestrians, Bicyclists
Back Bay Drive has reopened full-time to pedestrians and bicyclists following the successful
cleanup of a recent rockslide. The slide occurred in late June between San Joaquin Hills Road
and Eastbluff Drive North.
For the past two weeks, Back Bay Drive has been closed on weekdays while crews removed
rocks and dirt from the road. Back Bay Drive remains closed to all vehicle traffic.
Homelessness Update
Addressing homelessness continues to be a priority in the City's ongoing COVID-19 response,
working closely with contractor City Net and regional partners throughout the county and state.
Recently, people in Newport Beach experiencing homelessness have been placed in motels
through Project Roomkey, a state initiative to provide shelter during COVID-19. Newport Beach
staff and City Net staff are collaborating with the Illumination Foundation, a local non-profit agency
working with the state to facilitate Project Roomkey.
Success Stories:
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A family staying in their car by the Newport Pier was placed into housing under the
County's Coordinated Entry System. The Coordinated Entry System matches veterans,
individuals, and families to housing opportunities.
City Net staff completed two new Vulnerability Index Intake Assessments at the Newport
Transportation Center and enrolled the people into City Net services. The assessment is
used to screen clients to determine proper placement in the County's Continuum of Care
system. Some assessment factors include age, health issues, and length of time being
unsheltered. Case managers will follow up with the clients to provide housing
assessments and prepare documentation for housing. Both people were added to the
waiting list for the Santa Ana Armory. The Orange County Emergency Shelters, located
in Santa Ana and Fullerton, are operated by Mercy House. Mercy House, established in
Orange County in 1987, provides comprehensive services for people experiencing
homelessness.
City Net staff assisted a client staying near the Balboa pier with a State -issued Electronic
Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. The EBT system is used in California for the delivery,
redemption, and reconciliation of issued public assistance benefits, such as CalFresh,
CaIWORKs, and other food and cash aid benefits. Established in 2004, EBT provides up
to $125 a person a month to purchase food.
City Net paid one month's rent for a man to stay in a sober living home.
Case managers referred a man to the Santa Ana Armory and arranged his transportation
to the shelter.
The City Net hotline number is (714) 451-6198. Those who call the hotline may leave a detailed
voicemail message for themselves or others in need and City Net staff will respond within 48
hours. For immediate assistance call the County's Crisis Prevention Hotline at (877) 7 -CRISIS or
(877) 727-4747. To enroll in Project Roomkey, call (714) 834-3000.
Insider's Guide for the Newport Beach City Council Meeting on July 28, 2020
Our next City Council meeting is Tuesday, July 28. Items that may be of interest are highlighted
below. The entire agenda, and all reports, can be viewed here.
There will be a Closed Session at 4 p.m. and there is no Study Session.
The Regular Meeting begins at 5 p.m., please note the start time, and the following are items
of note:
On the Consent Calendar is:
A request to amend an agreement with Hoag Hospital as it relates to natural gas. The
City owns several oil wells and a by-product of oil production is natural gas. For a number
of years, the City has been providing this natural gas to Hoag Hospital which benefits both
the City and Hoag. This agreement would extend that partnership until August 2020.
An additional phase of the Sculpture Garden is on the agenda for City Council
consideration. This item is approval of Phase VI which is fully funded by a State Grant.
Art pieces are rotated every two years and the Sculpture Garden has become known as
a museum without walls.
Public Hearings include:
A proposal to modify the Development Agreement between Hoag Hospital and the City as
it relates to the ability to implement their planned future development due to COVID-19
related impacts. This agreement provides for an additional two years in which to build out
their facility.
Zoning Code and LCP Amendment Related to Corrections, Clarifications, and
Inconsistencies. As the City continues to implement the Local Coastal Plan, occasionally
minor modifications and corrections are needed to ensure consistency across the City's
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various planning documents. This item will make minor clarifications, and corrections
related to lot size and dimensions, overlays and public hearing notices.
Under Current Business:
Review of the Aviation Committee's evaluation of the John Wayne Airport Fixed Based
Operator (FBO) proposals will be considered in advance of the County Board of
Supervisors' meeting on August 11. Selection of the FBO's are a key component of the
County's project to update the general aviation facilities at the airport. The City's Aviation
Committee has reviewed the publicly released portions of the proposals for how closely
they align with the City's goals related to this project.
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