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Home My WebLink About03 - Establishing the Position of Historian LaureateQ �EwPpRT CITY OF s NEWPORT BEACH `q44:09 City Council Staff Report May 27, 2025 Agenda Item No. 3 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Melissa Hartson, Library Services Director - 949-717-3801, mhartson@newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Rebecca Lightfoot, Library Services Manager - 949-717-3819 rightfoot@newportbeachca.gov TITLE: Resolution No. 2025-24: Establishing the Position of Historian Laureate ABSTRACT: If adopted, Resolution No. 2025-24 would establish a volunteer City of Newport Beach Historian Laureate position. RECOMMENDATIONS: 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. 2025-24, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Establishing the Position of Historian Laureate. DISCUSSION: At the City Council's April 15, 2025 meeting, Mayor Joe Stapleton and Councilmember Robyn Grant requested, pursuant to City Council Policy A-1, information on creating a historian laureate program. The City Council voted unanimously, via a straw poll, in favor of staff returning with an item. The role of the historian laureate would be to increase public awareness of the history of the City of Newport Beach. The historian laureate would interpret past events in the city and provide thoughtful, educational and enjoyable narratives and presentations when required. The historian laureate would also carefully document current events for the benefit of future generations. If adopted, Resolution No. 2025-24 would create the Newport Beach historian laureate position. The proposed term, qualifications, selection process and responsibilities of the position are included as Attachment A to the resolution and are summarized below. The historian laureate would be a volunteer position, nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the City Council to a four-year term with no term limits. The position's responsibilities would be to: 3-1 Resolution No. 2025-24: Establishing the Position of Historian Laureate May 27, 2025 Page 2 1. Acquire, prepare, record and report facts of historical significance to the City of Newport Beach; 2. Collaborate with the city's historical societies; 3. Collaborate with City departments and the Cultural Arts Division of the Library Services Department, to identify meaningful event opportunities; 4. Provide presentations to organizations; 5. Develop activities to help raise awareness of the City's history; 6. Respond to inquiries regarding the city's history; 7. Participate in civic and patriotic events; 8. Coordinate historical research; 9. Report to the City Council annually and as required on history -related issues. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact related to this item as it will be an unpaid volunteer position. ENVIRONMENTAL RFVIFW- Staff recommends the City Council find this project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section [insert exemption section number (short description of section)] of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential to have a significant effect on the environment. NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). ATTACHMENT: Attachment A — Resolution No. 2025-24 3-2 ATTACHMENT A RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 24 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING THE POSITION OF HISTORIAN LAUREATE WHEREAS, Section 200 of the City Charter, of the City of Newport Beach ("City"), vests the City Council with the authority to make and enforce all laws, rules and regulations with respect to municipal affairs subject only to the restrictions and limitations contained in the City Charter and the State Constitution, and the power to exercise, or act pursuant to any and all rights, powers, and privileges or procedures granted or prescribed by any law of the State of California; WHEREAS, the City of Newport Beach has a rich and vibrant history, deeply rooted in maritime culture, civic development, and community heritage that spans generations; WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to preserve, promote, and share this history for the benefit of current and future residents, visitors, and scholars; WHEREAS, the City desires to create the honorary, unpaid position of a volunteer Newport Beach Historian Laureate ("Historian Laureate") to support these efforts through research, collaboration, public engagement, and historical interpretation; WHEREAS, the Historian Laureate will serve in a civic capacity to acquire, prepare, and report facts of historical significance, respond to historical inquiries, and develop activities that raise awareness of Newport Beach's historical legacy; WHEREAS, the Historian Laureate will work collaboratively with the City's historical societies, library personnel, and other City departments on matters of historical importance; WHEREAS, the individual serving in this role shall not receive compensation, and their service shall be offered freely and without coercion; WHEREAS, the Historian Laureate shall possess knowledge of Newport Beach history and its sources, and demonstrate strong research, communication, and interpretive skills, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with the public and City officials; and 3-3 Resolution No. 2025- Page 2 of 3 WHEREAS, the Historian Laureate will report annually to the City Council regarding historical matters and initiatives undertaken during their service. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach resolves as follows.. Section 1: The City Council does hereby create the Newport Beach Historian Laureate position. The term, qualifications, selection process, and responsibilities of the Historian Laureate are set forth in Attachment A, which is incorporated herein by this reference. Section 2: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this resolution. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution and each section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional. Section 3: The recitals provided in this resolution are true and correct and are incorporated into the substantive portion of this resolution. Section 4: The City Council finds the adoption of this resolution is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. 3-4 Resolution No. 2025- Page 3 of 3 Section 5: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting this resolution. ADOPTED this 27th day of May, 2025. Joe Stapleton Mayor ATTEST: Leilani I. Brown City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE -f a,— C Aar n C. Harp City Attorney Attachment: Attachment A - Historian Laureate Volunteer Position Description 3-5 ATTACHMENT "A" 3-6 HISTORIAN LAUREATE VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION AUTHORIZATION: Established by Resolution No. 2025-_ adopted on May 27, 2025. APPOINTMENT PROCESS: The Historian Laureate shall be nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The Mayor may appoint two (2) City Council Members to an ad hoc committee to consider qualified candidates. TERM: The person appointed by the City Council to this volunteer position will serve for a four (4) year term, with no term limits, subject to the pleasure of the City Council. QUALIFICATIONS The Historian Laureate shall: OF HISTORIAN LAUREATE: A. Be a resident of the City of Newport Beach; B. Have a strong knowledge of: (1) Newport Beach history; (2) historical sources including, but not limited to, Newport Beach's people, collections, and other data sources; and (3) the tools and techniques for historical research, writing, and presentations; C. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; D. Be able to understand, interpret, and catalog historical facts; E. Have excellent interpersonal skills; and F. Have the ability to analyze and interpret historical information. PURPOSE & A. Acquire, prepare, record, and report facts of RESPONSIBILITIES: historical significance to the City of Newport Beach; B. Collaborate with the Newport Beach historical societies; C. Collaborate with City departments on historical issues, including the Cultural Arts Division of the Library Services Department; D. Provide presentations to organizations; 3-7 E. Develop activities to raise awareness of the City's history; F. Respond to inquiries regarding the City's history; G. Coordinate historical research; and H. Report to City Council (at least annually) on historical matters. CITY APPOINTEE POLICIES: The Historian Laureate shall abide by the following provisions of Council Policy A-2 to the same extent as a member of a board, commission or committee: Conflict of Interest; Expressions of Official City Position or Policy; Private Digital Communications; Fundraising & Contracting; and Use of City Stationery and Email. W