CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH
PARTICIPATION IN CITY GOVERNMENT
Many Newport Beach citizens give their time
to assist and advise the City Council on
issues facing the legislative body. Service
on City Boards, Commissions and Committees
is one of the principal means by which
citizens can participate in city government
(http://www.city.newport-beach.ca.us/ClerkNotices/BoardsCommissionsCommittees.asp).
The City Council is always looking for
qualified electors of the City to serve in
these capacities. Listed below is a summary
of the volunteer opportunities that are
available to residents of the City.
Applications are accepted on a year-round
basis. The application
can be completed online or downloaded.
The application can also be
faxed or mailed to you by contacting the
City Clerk's office at 949-644-3005.
Pursuant to Council policy, applications are
kept on file for a two-year period and when
vacancies arise for the position(s) applied
for the applicants are contacted to
determine availability and continued
interest in serving. Applications and
supporting documentation are public record
and may be posted on the internet.
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
General Information:
The Board of Library Trustees consists of
five (5) members appointed by the City
Council for a term of four years. The Board
meets on the first Tuesday (Study Session)
and the third Tuesday (Regular Meeting) of
each month. For more detailed information
about the meeting schedule and time
commitment, contact the staff liaison,
Cynthia Pirtle, Library Services Director,
949-717-3801.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
A. Have charge of the administration of City
libraries and make and enforce such by-laws,
rules and regulations as may be necessary.
B. Designate its own secretary.
C. Consider the annual budget for library
purposes during the process of its
preparation and make recommendations with
respect thereto to the City Council and City
Manager.
D. Purchase and acquire books, journals,
maps, publications and other supplies
peculiar to the needs of the library,
subject, however, to the limitations of the
budget for such purposes. The expenditure
and
disbursement of funds for such purchases
shall be made and approved as elsewhere
provided in the Charter.
E. Approve or disapprove the appointment,
suspension or removal of the Librarian, who
shall be the department head.
F. Accept money, personal property or real
estate donated to the City for library
purposes, subject to the approval of the
City Council.
G. Contract with schools, county or other
governmental agencies to render or receive
library services or facilities subject to
the approval of the City Council.
CITY ARTS COMMISSION
General Information:
The City Arts Commission consists of seven
(7) members appointed by the City Council
for a term of four years. The Commission
meets on the second Thursday of each month.
For more detailed information about the
meeting schedule and time commitment,
contact the staff liaison, Jana Barbier,
Arts Coordinator, 949-717-3870.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
A. Act in an advisory capacity to the City
Council in all matters pertaining to
artistic, aesthetic and cultural aspects of
the City.
B. Recommend to the City Council the
adoption of such ordinances, rules and
regulations as it may deem necessary for the
administration and preservation of fine
arts, performing arts, historical, aesthetic
and
cultural aspects of the community.
C. On behalf of the City, actively encourage
programs for the cultural enrichment of the
community.
D. Perform such other duties relating to the
Arts as the City Council may require.
CIVIL SERVICE BOARD
General Information:
The Civil Service Board consists of five (5)
members appointed by the Council for a term
of four years. The Board meets on the first
Monday of each month. For more detailed
information about the meeting schedule and
time commitment, contact the staff liaison,
Human Resources Director, 949-644-3300.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
A. Recommend to the City Council, after a
public hearing thereon, the adoption,
amendment or repeal of civil service rules
and regulations.
B. Act in an advisory capacity to the City
Council on problems concerning personnel
administration.
C. Hear appeals of any person in the City
employment relative to any suspension,
demotion or dismissal and make findings and
recommendations thereon.
D. Make any investigation concerning the
administration of personnel in the municipal
service and report its findings to the City
Council and City Manager when requested to
do so by the City Council, the City Manager
or by any organized City employees
association.
E. Perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by ordinance.
PARKS, BEACHES AND RECREATION
COMMISSION
General Information:
The Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission
consists of seven (7) members appointed by
the City Council for a term of four years.
The Commission meets on the first Tuesday of
each month. For more detailed information
about the meeting schedule and time
commitment, contact the staff liaisons,
Laura Detweiler, Recreation & Senior
Services Director, 949-644-3151 or Mark
Harmon, General Services Director,
949-644-3055.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
A. Act in an advisory capacity to the City
Council in all matters pertaining to parks,
beaches, recreation, parkways and street
trees.
B. Consider the annual budget for parks,
beaches, recreation, parkways and street
tree purposes during the process of its
preparation and make recommendations with
respect thereto to the City Council and City
Manager.
C. Assist in the planning of parks and
recreation programs for the inhabitants of
the City, promote and stimulate public
interest therein, and to that end, solicit
to the fullest extent possible, the
cooperation of school
authorities and other public and private
agencies interested therein.
D. Establish policies for the acquisition,
development and improvement of parks,
beaches and playgrounds and for the
planting, care and removal of trees and
shrubs in all parks, playgrounds and
streets, subject to the rights and powers of
the City Council.
E. Perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by ordinance not inconsistent
with the provisions of the City Charter.
PLANNING COMMISSION
General Information:
The Planning Commission consists of seven
(7) members appointed by the City Council
for a term of four years. The Planning
Commission meets twice monthly on the
Thursdays preceding Council meetings. For
more detailed information about the meeting
schedule and time commitment, contact the
staff liaison, David Lepo, Planning
Director, 949-644-3228.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
A. After a public hearing thereon, recommend
to the City Council the adoption, amendment
or repeal of a Master Plan, or any part
thereof, for the physical development of the
City.
B. Exercise such control over land
subdivision as is granted to it by ordinance
not inconsistent with the provisions of the
Charter.
C. Make recommendations to the City Council
concerning proposed public works and for the
clearance and rebuilding of blighted or
substandard areas within the City.
D. Exercise such functions with respect to
zoning and land use as may be prescribed by
ordinance not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Charter.
HARBOR COMMISSION
General Information:
The Harbor Commission consists of seven (7)
members appointed by the City Council for a
term of four years. The commission meeting
schedule has not been established yet. For
more detailed information about the meeting
schedule and time commitment, contact the
staff liaison, Chris Miller, Harbor
Resources Division Manager, 949-644-3034.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
A. Advise the City Council in all matters
pertaining to the use, control, operation,
promotion and regulation of all vessels and
watercraft within the Newport Harbor.
B. Approve, conditionally approve, or
disapprove applications on all harbor
permits where the City of Newport Beach
Municipal Code assigns the authority for the
decision to the Harbor Commission.
C. Serve as an appellate and reviewing body
for decisions of the City Manager on harbor
permits, leases, and other harbor-related
administrative matters where the City of
Newport Beach Municipal Code assigns such
authority to the Harbor Commission.
D. Advise the City Council on proposed
harbor-related improvements.
E. Advise the Planning Commission and City
Council on land use and property development
applications referred to the Harbor
Commission by the City Council, Planning
Commission, or the City Manager.
F. Make recommendations to the City Council
for the adoption of regulations and programs
necessary for the ongoing implementation of
the goals, objectives, and policies of the
Harbor and Bay Element of the General Plan.
AVIATION COMMITTEE
General Information:
The Aviation Committee consists of two (2)
Council Members appointed by the Mayor, the
City Manager and City Attorney (or their
designees), one (1) appointee and one (1)
alternate from each Council Member District
(confirmed by the City Council), the current
president (or designee) of the Airport
Working Group (AWG), and a resident of the
area known as Newport Coast/Newport Ridge
that was annexed to the City effective
1/1/02 (appointed by the Mayor). The
committee meets on an as-needed basis. For
more detailed information about the meeting
schedule and time commitment, contact the
City Attorney’s office, 949-644-3131.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
A. Monitor and participate as appropriate in
the El Toro Reuse Planning Process.
B. Monitor development, operations, and
other activities at John Wayne Airport and
report to the City Council.
C. Review aviation-related information from
Southern California Association of
Governments (SCAG), the Orange County
Regional Airport Authority (OCRAA), El Toro
Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA), and other
groups involved in airport land use, master
plans, additional site selection, and
related matters.
D. Make recommendations to City Council
regarding current and future policies
regarding regional air traffic service and
the establishment of an additional
commercial airport to serve Orange County.
E. Assist in the dissemination of
information to Newport Beach residents
regarding the El Toro reuse planning
process, the City's activities and
involvement in that process, and the future
status of John Wayne Airport and the
Settlement Agreement.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
General Information:
The Economic Development Committee consists
of the Mayor, two (2) Council Members, the
chairman of the Environmental Quality
Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee, a
Planning Commissioner, and twenty-three (23)
other members: five (5) members representing
various local organizations, five (5)
members representing areas of special
expertise as well as three (3) at-large
members, and ten (10) members representing
various city business districts. The
committee meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the
month unless that Wednesday follows a
Council meeting, and then it meets on the
4th Wednesday of the month. For more
detailed information about the meeting
schedule and time commitment, contact the
staff liaison, Sharon Wood, Assistant City
Manager, 949-644-3222.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
A. Review, monitor and assist the activities
of staff as outlined in the City Council
Economic Development Policy (K-10). (www.city.newport-beach.ca.us/CouncilPolicies/K-10.htm)
B. Make recommendations regarding
appointment of appropriate staffing levels
for Economic Development activities.
C. Make recommendations to the City Council
to further the goals of the City’s Economic
Development Policy.
COASTAL/BAY WATER QUALITY CITIZENS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
General Information:
The Coastal/Bay Water Quality Citizens
Advisory Committee consists of three (3)
Council Members and one (1) appointee for
each Council Member District. The committee
meets on the first Thursday of each month.
For more detailed information about the
meeting schedule and time commitment,
contact the staff liaison, Chris Miller,
Harbor Resources Division Manager,
949-644-3034.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
The Committee shall advise and make
recommendations to the City Council on
policies, projects and programs that will
achieve the Committee’s mission, including
Council efforts to:
A. Educate the watershed’s population about
the value of Newport Bay and the ocean.
B. Enforce and/or strengthen existing
regulations on actions that impair water
quality or wildlife habitat.
C. Advocate for policies, programs and
projects that improve the water quality of
Newport Bay and the ocean.
D. Oppose policies, programs or projects
that detract from good water quality in the
Newport Bay watershed
and the ocean.
E. Develop, fund, and monitor water quality
initiatives, including testing and
structural projects, that meet the
Committee’s mission.
The Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens
Advisory Committee consists of two (2)
Council Members, the chairman or designee
from the Economic Development Committee, a
chairman (citizen at-large) appointed by the
Mayor, and twenty-one (21) other members:
one (1) from each of the seven (7) City
Council districts, seven (7) members
at-large from each of the seven (7) City
Council districts, four (4) members
representing homeowners or community
associations, appointed by the City Council
from recommendations made by the committee,
and three (3) members who have knowledge of
CEQA administration or environmental issues
of concern, appointed by the City Council
from recommendations made by the committee.
For more detailed information about the
meeting schedule and time commitment,
contact the staff liaison, Sharon Wood,
Assistant City Manager, 949-644-3222.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
A. To review and submit comments during the
public review period (upon publication of
the Notice of Preparation (NOP) and/or the
Notice of Completion [NOC]) with respect to
any Environmental Impact Report
(EIR) prepared by the City.
B. If requested by the City Council or the
City Manager, to review and, subject to the
approval of the City Council or City
Manager, submit, on behalf of the City,
comments on any NOP or NOC for an EIR
prepared by another public agency for a
Project that has the potential to cause
significant adverse environmental impacts in
the City of Newport Beach.
C. The Committee may review and submit
comments on any negative declaration
prepared by the City for any project that is
not subject to the review and/or approval of
any other Board, Commission or Committee
without first receiving a request from the
City Council or City Manager.
D. To request the City Manager to schedule
presentations from City staff relative to
activities with the potential to impact the
environment and quality of life issues.
E. To request the City Manager and/or City
Council to schedule a presentation from
members of the Committee to the City Council
relative to any action of the Committee or
any activity that the Committee has
determined could have a significant effect
on Newport Beach.
NEWPORT COAST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
General Information:
The Newport Coast Advisory Committee
consists of seven (7) members of the Newport
Coast community, appointed as follows: four
(4) members appointed by the Newport Coast
Committee of 2000 or, if the NCC2K ceases to
exist, the Master Homeowners’ Association in
Newport Coast; and three (3) members
appointed by the City Council from an
applicant pool of Newport Coast residents.
The City Council Member(s) representing the
Newport Coast community shall make up one,
two or all three of these appointments. For
more detailed information about the meeting
schedule and time commitment, contact the
staff liaison, Dave Kiff, Assistant City
Manager, 949-644-3002.
Purpose & Responsibilities:
A. Advise the City Council on any matter of
importance to the Newport Coast community
not listed herein.
B. Advise the City Council on the Newport
Coast community’s interest (or lack thereof)
in the placement of a community center in
the Newport Coast. Advise the City Council
on the location, design, and use of the
Community Center.
C. Advise the City Council on the equitable
allocation of approximately $18 million in
assessment district relief to owners and
occupiers of single-family homes in the
Newport Coast.
D. Advise the City Council regarding the
maintenance of slopes, medians, and parks
within the Newport Coast. Advise the City
Council of the quality and standards of such
maintenance.
