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Home My WebLink About01 - Minutes - Amended PagesCity of Newport Beach Emergency Special Meeting July 1, 2020 July 28, 2020 Agenda Item No. 1 Council Member Brenner questioned when the public would be made aware of the closure, indicated $1,000 fines have worked in Los Angeles, noted that the ordinance states the Police Department has the ability to arrest, but a monetary consequence sometimes makes a larger impression, and hoped word of the closure would spread quickly. Craig Batley understood the matter came up because of questions about Lifeguard staffing, but noted that the Lifeguard Chief said they have adequate staff, believed the worry should be contamination, noted the unintended consequences of closure would be parking and traffic, and stated he was unsure which is the better course of action, closing the beach or ensuring adequate staffing. An unidentified speaker inquired about the effect of a beach closure before the start of the Junior Lifeguard Program on Monday. Mayor O'Neill advised that Fire Chief Boyles would recommend delaying the program a week given the number of staff under quarantine. Eric Higby noted that Los Angeles closing their beaches resulted in illegal parking, huge crowds, and public urination, all of which was untenable and there has been an uptick in fireworks in the neighborhood. He did not see how closing the beaches would cause anymore issues than the City would normally have and believed it would be safer to close the beaches. Cheryl Hall hoped the COVID-19 positive Lifeguards get well soon, remarked that COVID-19 is running rampant everywhere, residents voted for Council Members to lead and protect the community, and the droves of people on the beaches would be troublesome because the other beaches being closed. She believed that, although enforcement may be difficult, closure will show true leadership, noted that few people on the Peninsula are wearing masks and for the sake of public health, Newport Beach, and all communities, Council should close the beaches. Dr. Weiss4ite discussed the difficulty of trying to go to the water's edge while staying 6 feet away from people, noted that in light of increases in the ICU rate, Hoag Hospital will hold an emergency meeting today, shared an article about nasal testing and false negative results, and believed keeping the beaches open is insanity. Carmen Rawson believed there are some misconceptions about people coming to the beach during the 4th of July, believed closing the beaches will be counterproductive due to its large area, and asked Council to keep the beaches open. Chris Nielson thanked Council for their work and continued efforts to keep residents safe, noted that data produced by Council has been accurate, well thought-out, and beneficial to the reopening of businesses, believed fear should not be allowed to affect the people in Newport Beach, stated that residents need to continue with their lives and the only change is there are now two positive -tested Lifeguards. He believed that the City does not need to derail the program that Council has worked hard to have in place and that a hard closure on July 4th would discourage some people but closing all weekend would be hard on the businesses. Casey asked if beaches would be open for active use under a closure. Mayor O'Neill advised that the recommendation is a hard closure. Samantha believed it is vital to look at the short term and long term, expressed concern that beach closures in surrounding areas will cause people to come into the Newport Beach community, agreed crowds are good for business, but the risk would be forced closures in the long run, urged Council to think about the physical health and financial health of businesses, believed enforcement should have a monetary value and that young people believe the risk is minor, which neglects the safety of the elderly. Volume 64 - Page 464 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Regular Meeting July 14, 2020 I. ROLL CALL - 5:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Will O'Neill, Mayor Pro Tem Brad Avery, Council Member Joy Brenner, Council Member Diane Dixon, Council Member Jeff Herdman, Council Member Kevin Muldoon Absent: Council Member Duffy Duffield (excused) II. INVOCATION - Council Member Herdman III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Mayor Pro Tem Avery IV. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC V. CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ORAL REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL ON COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES Council Member Brenner: • Attended the Corona del Mar Residents Association Historical Subcommittee, along with Library Services Director Hetherton and City Arts Commission Chair Greer; and a meeting with Corona del Mar residents and Public Works staff regarding the sidewalk above China Cove Council Member Herdman: Attended a meeting of the Board of Directors for the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, where the Director reported about mosquitos that can carry the West Nile Virus and ankle biters, and listed the areas being treated and services offered to the public Reported he and Council Members Muldoon and Dixon met with ACI Jet to review its proposal for the General Aviation Improvement Plan (GAIP) Announced that the short-term lodging ad hoc committee has held meetings Council Member Dixon: • Reported the subcommittee to review the GAIP for John Wayne Airport (JWA) will review proposals over the next two weeks • Requested a future item to consider adopting a resolution supporting the Newport Beach Police Department Mayor O'Neill: • Reported the Housing Element Update Advisory Committee met and will meet again on July 15, 2020 • Noted that Ben Carlson Day was observed on July 6, 2020 • Announced that the Finance Director and City Manager appeared on Speak Up Newport's virtual web event • Wished Council Member Herdman a Happy Birthday VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR At Mayor O'Neill's request, City Attorney Harp explained the purpose of a second reading of an ordinance and requirements contained in the short-term lodging ordinance (Item 3). Jim Mosher, addressing Items 3 and 4, stated he was surprised that the new fg 4eliiies definition of short- term lodgingewas being enacted without discussion, indicated City Council Policy A-1 sets the Council's meeting time at 7:00 p.m. while Item 4 will set the meeting time at 4:00 p.m., shared a history of the Council meeting time; and believed Item 4 ignores history, precedent, and the public. Regarding Item 4, Susan Skinner suggested 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. for the Council regular meeting start time in order for individuals who work to be able to attend or call into the meetings. Volume 64 - Page 469 City of Newport Beach Regular Meeting July 14, 2020 Mayor Pro Tem Avery was impressed by staffs work over the July 4rh weekend, believed the Police and Fire Departments did a great job on an extraordinary night, commended the response of public safety units, and stated that he was impressed with the reserve of safety personnel. Fire Chief Boyles announced he visited the facilities that are holding the Junior Lifeguard Program, noted that participant temperatures are taken in the morning and flags mark the spots for social distancing, and concluded that the first day went smoothly with perfect weather. Council Member Brenner asked Fire Chief Boyles to inform the children about safe social distancing guidelines and encourage them to wearixg face coverings both to and from the Junior Lifeguard Program. Mayor O'Neill thanked Fire Chief Boyles for the Department's hard work on the July 4rh weekend and asked staff to ensure that the Lifeguard who conducted the rescue is present at the next meeting. Susan Skinner related additional facts about COVID-19 cases and her medical credentials Mayor O'Neill noted a substantial rise in cases over the last 30 days with the two largest increases in Santa Ana and Anaheim, encouraged people to be careful and cautious and to treat COVID-19 seriously, and stated that he looked forward to Newport -Mesa Unified School District's (NMUSD) decision regarding school resuming in the fall, and noted that Recreation and Senior Services Director Detweiler is assisting NMUSD on the City's behalf. Mayor O'Neill recalled his plan to celebrate volunteers in 2020, and noted that while times are currently unconventional, he encouraged Council to contact him regarding any volunteer they would like to recognize with a proclamation, in which he would deliver to the volunteer personally and take socially distanced photos with them. - None XIII. ADJOURNMENT - 7:15 p.m. The agenda, amended agenda, and second amended agenda were 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 July 9, 2020, at 4:00 p.m., July 10, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., and July 13, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., respectively. Leilani I. Brown City Clerk Will O'Neill Mayor Volume 64 - Page 477