City Council Meetings

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City Government in Newport Beach

Newport Beach is a charter city governed by a seven-member City Council. Every even-numbered year, either three or four members are elected by the voters at large to represent their respective districts for a four-year term. Council Members are limited to serving two consecutive terms. The City Charter provides for the selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem by the City Council. The City Council deliberates and takes action in open session in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act).

The City Council appoints the City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney to carry out Council policies and to serve as executive officers for the City. Professionally qualified and experienced personnel lead the departments in providing municipal services to the public.

City Council Meetings

Regular City Council meetings are held twice a month, commencing at 4:00 p.m. or as otherwise scheduled due to the demand of business, except in the months of August and December when there shall be at least one regular meeting in August and one regular meeting in December, in the City Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach. If a Regular Meeting falls on a holiday, it is held on the next business day.

Study sessions are generally held the on the same day as regular City Council meetings and normally begin at 4 p.m. (Note: There is not always a study session and the start time is subject to change.) Study sessions are a time for staff to present projects and issues for the City Council to discuss and provide general direction and feedback; however, no decisions are made. Contact the City Clerk's Office at 949-644-3005 for verification of time for study sessions.

The City Clerk's Office has prepared a list of frequently asked questions, City Council Meetings 101, that provides general information about the conduct of City Council Meetings (copies are available in the City Clerk's office at 100 Civic Center Drive, Bay E, 2nd Floor; or call 949-644-3005).

Council Meeting Dates for 2024

January 9 and 23
February 13 and 27
March 12 and 26
April 9 and 23
May 14 and 28
June 11 and 25
July 9 and 23
August 27
September 10 and 24
October 8 and 22
November 12 and 19
December 10

Council Meeting Agendas and Agenda Packets

At each study session and regular meeting, Council follows an agenda which is prepared the preceding Wednesday according to Council Policy A-1. The agenda packets are delivered to the City Council prior to the meeting and are made available to the public on the City's website and hard copies are available at the Central Library and in the City Clerk's Office on the Thursday prior to the meeting, and in the Council Chambers the evening of the meeting. Archived agenda packets are available in PDF format for online viewing.

Televised Meetings

Meetings are televised the evening of the meeting by Spectrum (Channel 3) and Cox Communications (Channel 852), and are rebroadcast the Sundays following the meeting at 4:00 p.m., the following Mondays at 12:00 p.m., and the following Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. until the next meeting is aired. Meeting videos are archived and can be viewed with the respective meeting agenda.

Explanation of City Council Actions

Motion - A motion proposes an action or decision of the Council such as the adoption of a resolution or approval of a budget amendment.

Vote - Unless otherwise specified by the Charter or State law, a majority vote by the City Council is sufficient to pass a motion.

Ordinances and Resolutions -

An ordinance or amendment to an ordinance is a “legislative act” and, with few exceptions, requires two readings at two separate Council meetings after which it is published. Ordinances adopted in this manner take effect 30 days after adoption. Ordinances are the most binding and permanent type of Council action and may be repealed only by a subsequent ordinance.

A resolution is a formal written action of the City Council generally on ministerial, administrative, or executive matters, but occasionally represents an action on legislative matters such as a general plan amendment. It requires only one reading, becomes effective upon adoption, and may be changed by a subsequent resolution or expire by its own terms.

Unless a higher vote is required, the affirmative votes of at least four members of the City Council shall be required for the enactment of any ordinance or resolution, or for making or approving any order for the payment of money.

Consent Calendar - In an effort to conduct more efficient Council meetings, the agenda contains a “Consent Calendar” for routine matters or non-controversial issues (minutes, resolutions, second reading of ordinances, contracts, budget amendments) to be handled by one motion. There is no discussion of these items prior to the motion to approve the entire Consent Calendar unless a Council Member, staff or the public request that the item be removed for discussion and separate action.

ADA Compliance

It is the intention of the City to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at a meeting, you need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the City Clerk’s office at least 48-hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your particular need and to determine if the accommodation is feasible.

Contact Us

Staff in the City Clerk's Office is available to assist you with questions by calling 949-644-3005 or emailing cityclerk@newportbeachca.gov.

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