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Home My WebLink About01 - Minutes - AmendedJuly 22, 2025 Item No. 1 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Meeting Minutes Regular Meeting July 8, 2025 ROLL CALL — 4:07 p.m. Present: Mayor Joe Stapleton, Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Kleiman, Councilmember Michelle Barto, Councilmember Noah Blom, Councilmember Robyn Grant, Councilmember Sara J. Weber, Councilmember Erik Weigand II. CURRENT BUSINESS I11. INVOCATION — Pastor Adam Feichtmann, Redeemer Presbyterian Church IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Mayor Stapleton V. PUBLIC COMMENTS Interim City Clerk Perry read the announcement concerning public comments for public participation and time limits. VI. PRESENTATIONS • Proclamation Recognizing Amelia Jenkins, Mayor for the Day Mayor Stapleton read a proclamation recognizing Amelia Jenkins as Mayor for the Day that highlighted Amelia's exceptional qualities as a student at Our Lady Queen of Angels School. Mayor Stapleton noted Amelia's participation in various City tours and activities throughout the day, presented the proclamation to Amelia, and invited her for a photo with the City Council. • Proclamation Recognizing Rick Stein, President and CEO of Arts Orange County (ArtsOC) Mayor Stapleton read a proclamation recognizing Rick Stein, President and CEO of Arts Orange County (ArtsOC), for his significant contributions to the arts in California and Newport Beach. The proclamation highlighted Mr. Stein's leadership in transforming ArtsOC, his role in curating the sculpture exhibition in Civic Center Park, and his recent appointment to the California Arts Council. Mr. Stein expressed gratitude for the recognition and praised Newport Beach's commitment to arts and culture through its arts commission and programs. Councilmember Grant expressed her appreciation to Mr. Stein for his service to the arts community. • History of McFadden Square: Newport's First Downtown by Bill Lobdell Bill Lobdell presented a PowerPoint presentation and brief history of McFadden Square, Newport Beach's first downtown. He explained the origins of Newport Landing, the relocation of buildings to the peninsula, and the development of the area into a small downtown with various businesses and amenities. Mr. Lobdell highlighted key developments, including the construction of significant buildings and attempts to revitalize the area over the years. Volume 66 - Page 352 City of Newport Beach July 8, 2025 Mayor Stapleton asked whether there were any conflicts of interests to be announced by his colleagues. Citing conflict of interests, Councilmembers Grant, Weber and Mayor Pro Tem Kleiman recused themselves from the dais. Fire Chief Jeff Boyles and Fire Marshal James Gillespie presented information on the new fire hazard severity zone maps created by the state. He explained the history of the mapping process, the limitations on local input, and the implications for properties in different zones. Fire Marshall Gillespie noted that the number of parcels in fire hazard zones would increase from 2,825 to 6,238. Councilmember Weigand noted the need for policy makers to remain cognizant of fire danger, and noted the City has been outstanding in its use of technology related to fire management. Mayor Stapleton opened the public hearing at 5:15 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS Adam Leverenz questioned how the maps reflect parcels and the definition of said parcels. Hearing no further requests to speak, Mayor Stapleton closed the public hearing at 5:16 p.m. Motion by Councilmember Weigand seconded by Councilmember Barto, to 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) Waive full reading, direct the City Clerk to read by title only, introduce Ordinance No. 2025 11, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Amending Section 9.04.470 (Local Agency Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone) To Adopt the 2025 Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, As Designated By The California Department of Forestry And Fire Protection And Pursuant to California Government Code Section 51178; and pass to a second reading on July 22, 2025. The motion carried 4-0-3, Councilmembers Barto, Blom, Weigand, and Mayor Stapleton in favor; Councilmembers Grant, Weber, and Mayor Pro Tem Kleiman recused. XIV. CURRENT BUSINESS 17. Fourth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for City Manager 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; b) Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a Fourth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the City of Newport Beach and City Manager Grace K. Leung, subject to the terms and conditions approved by the City Council; and c) Approve Budget Amendment No. 26 006 appropriating $455,371.65 from unappropriated General Fund balance to various salary and benefit accounts to implement the terms of the Agreement for FY 2025 2026. Mayor Stapleton noted that City Manager Grace Leung was at jury duty and was not able to attend the meeting. Aaron Harp, City Attorney, presented the staff report and summarized the contract provisions. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Jim Mosher expressed concerns related to Section 7A, the Separation and Release Agreement, that was dated July 8 and noted that he would like to see documentation; spoke to Section 6, regarding "at will" employment; stated that the City could be paying two city managers at one time; noted that the City Manager compensation was irresponsible; and questioned why the City was paying out The City Manager's contract. Volume 66 - Page 359 City of Newport Beach July 8, 2025 Adam Leverenz spoke on public employee compensation; mentioned the ability to see full salary and benefit amounts on transparentcalifornia.com, and questioned the additional benefits in Ms. Leung's agreement. Motion by Mayor Stapleton, seconded by Councilmember Blom, to 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; b) Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a Fourth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the City of Newport Beach and City Manager Grace K. Leung, subject to the terms and conditions approved by the City Council; and c) Approve Budget Amendment No. 26 006 appropriating $455,371.65 from unappropriated General Fund balance to various salary and benefit accounts to implement the terms of the Agreement for FY 2025 2026. Motion passed 7-0. CLOSED SESSION REPORT Mayor Stapleton provided the Closed Session report including an expression of gratitude to City Manager Grace Leung who announced her retirement after over 30 years of dedicated public service and whose contributions to the City were innumerable and would leave a lasting impact. Mayor Stapleton thanked City Manager Leung for agreeing to extend her retirement to December 26, 2025 in order to ensure a smooth transition. Mayor Stapleton further announced the City Council's intent to consider on July 22, 2025, the appointment of Seimone Jurjis, Assistant City Manager, who has served the City of Newport Beach since 2011 in several key leadership roles. Mr. Jurjis would assume his duties as City Manager on December 27, 2025. Councilmember Grant noted that a smooth succession plan was in place and looked forward to working with new leadership. 18. Eighth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement for City Attorney 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; b) Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Eighth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the City of Newport Beach and City Attorney Aaron C. Harp, subject to the terms and conditions approved by the City Council; c) Adopt Resolution No. 2025 44, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Amending the Salary Schedule and Adopting a New Salary Range for the City Attorney; and d) Approve Budget Amendment No. 26 007, appropriating $30,512 from unappropriated General Fund balance to various salary and benefit accounts to implement the terms of the Agreement for FY 2025 2026. City Attorney Harp recused himself citing financial interests related to the proposed agreement. Assistant City Manager Finnigan presented the staff report and summarized the contract provisions. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jim Mosher noted that when contracts are negotiated during Closed Session, the public cannot participate; expressed concerns related to the length of paid severance in this agreement; and noted the automatic performance bonus reflected in the agreement was not tied to performance. Volume 66 - Page 360