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Home My WebLink About32 - Appointment of William Lobdell as the Newport Beach City Historian LaureateQ �EwPpRT CITY OF s NEWPORT BEACH `q44:09 City Council Staff Report August 26, 2025 Agenda Item No. 32 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: Appointment of William Lobdell as the Newport Beach City Historian Laureate ABSTRACT: At its May 27, 2025 meeting, the Newport Beach City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-24, establishing a volunteer, historian laureate position for the City of Newport Beach. Pursuant to the resolution, Mayor Joe Stapleton appointed himself and Councilmember Robyn Grant to serve on an ad hoc committee tasked with considering qualified applicants. The ad hoc committee completed its review and Mayor Stapleton is nominating William Lobdell to serve as the City's historian laureate. 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; b) Appoint William Lobdell to the volunteer position of historian laureate for the City of Newport Beach. DISCUSSION: At the request of Mayor Stapleton and Councilmember Grant and pursuant to Council Policy A- 1, at its April 15, 2025 meeting, the City Council considered creating a historian laureate program to increase public awareness of the history of the city. The City Council voted unanimously, via a straw poll, in favor of staff returning with an item. On May 27, 2025, staff brought forward, and the Council voted unanimously to adopt, Resolution No. 2025-24, which created the position of historian laureate and outlined its duties and responsibilities. The resolution also established the process for appointing the historian laureate. The ad hoc committee was created to consider candidates for the volunteer position and as a result, Mayor Stapleton is nominating William Lobdell to serve as the historian laureate. William Lobdell has resided in Newport Beach since 2015. Lobdell worked as a writer and editor for both the Daily Pilot and the Los Angeles Times. 32-1 Appointment of William Lobdell as the Newport Beach City Historian Laureate August 26, 2025 Page 2 He launched the podcast "Newport Beach in the Rearview Mirror" in 2021 and has dedicated his time to preserving the unique stories and rich history of Newport Beach. If appointed historian laureate, Lobdell will interpret past events in the city and provide thoughtful, educational and enjoyable narratives and presentations when required. He will also carefully document current events for the benefit of future generations. This position is a volunteer position, appointed by the City Council to a four-year term with no term limits. Suggested responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 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, including Library Services' Cultural Arts Division, to identify meaningful event opportunities; 4. Provide presentations to organizations; 5. Develop activities to help raise awareness of the city's history; 6. Responds 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. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action 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, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. 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 32-2 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 Citv of Newport Bear 32.3 Resolution No. 2025-24 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. City of Newport Beach 32� Resolution No. 2025-24 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, Joe tap Ma r ATTEST: Leilani I. E City Clerk ,o/�� APPROVED AS TO FORM: CITY TTORNEY'S OFFICE C�- — �o Aaron C. Harp City Attorney n u� Attachment: Attachment A - Historian Laureate Volunteer Position Description City of Newport Beach 32-5 ATTACHMENT "A" City of Newport Beach „d 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; City u, -quvvport Bed 32-7 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. City of Newport Beach „� STATE OF CALIFORNIA } COUNTY OF ORANGE } ss. CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH } I, Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk of the City of Newport Beach, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council is seven; the foregoing resolution, being Resolution No. 2025-24 was duly introduced before and adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 271h day of May, 2025; and the same was so passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Mayor Joe Stapleton, Mayor Pro Tern Lauren Kleiman, Councilmember Michelle Barto, Councilmember Noah Blom, Councilmember Robyn Grant, Councilmember Sara J. Weber, Councilmember Erik Weigand NAYS: None IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of said City this 28th day of May, 2025. r , h ft = n'— — Leilani I. Brown City Clerk Newport Beach, California iJ W-po- a h- U 0 P 0 R t S City of Newport Beach ,,,