HomeMy WebLinkAbout00 - League of Women Voters ReportL LEAGUE of WOMEN VOTERS'
OF ORANGE COA51
Newport Beach City Council of
September 23, 2025
General Meeting Information
Did the meeting start on time? No
Meeting started 7 minutes late, due to technical problems with sound system.
Were all members present? Yes
Did the members appear to have done their homework? Yes
Were members courteous to each other and the public? Yes
Brown Act
Was the agenda sent/posted 72 hours before this meeting? Yes
Did items clearly describe what was discussed? Yes
Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes
Was there the appearance that some action items were discussed in closed rather than
open session? No
Was background information available to the public? Yes
LWV Action Item
Were any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWVC positions or programs? Yes
Bonita Canyon HOA Fire Wise Proclamation: The Proclamation was presented to
Gunnar Gooding, President of Bonita Canyon HOA, and Fire Chief James
Gillespie for their leadership and for receiving the first Newport Beach Fire Wise
designation. Gunnar spoke of the significant reduction in insurance premiums for
the HOA and individual homeowners. https://youtu.be/J8YcNfd6G2Q?t=2458
Do you recommend local League action on any of these items? No
Do you have other concerns or comments? Yes
Public Comment: Sandie Manage, an Orange Unified District school teacher who
lives on a boat in the Harbor, voiced her concerns about the change of harbor
security from the Orange County Sheriff's Harbor Patrol to the Harbor Resources.
She reports that Harbor Resource (Department) staff are not well -trained and are
no longer stationing a boat at the Harbor entrance during the night. Since this
change, two boats have been stolen. One in 2022 and recently on September 11.
The recently stolen vessel crashed into 10 boats, sinking one. She finds it strange
that the 9/11/25 crime has not been reported in the news. She reports that she
spoke with Harbor Resources, and "Mat Cosylion's comment was that they want
to present Newport Beach Harbor as a friendly place."
https://voutu.be/J8YcNfd6G2Q?t=4598
Mayor Stapleton responded to Sandie that he would follow up with her to discuss
the situation, and that the Orange County Sheriff's were still there, but they have
different functions.
Was there discussion on homelessness or affordable housing? Yes
Relocation Plan for Tenants at 301 East Balboa Boulevard
Excerpt from Staff report:
The triplex was constructed in 1921 and has been maintained in its original
condition with minor system upgrades and tenant improvements completed since
then. Two tenants currently occupy units at the site, including the studio unit and
one of the one-bedroom/one-bathroom units. The City acquired the Property in
December 2024 for future redevelopment as public parking (Project), with the goal
of acquiring the adjacent property at 311 Balboa Boulevard East, which is owned
by AT&T and is one of the largest properties in the area. The two parcels are
ideally located to expand public parking along Balboa Boulevard near Balboa
Village at the eastern end of the Peninsula. AT&T has been open to discussions,
however, the timeline for the company to downsize or relocate its operations from
its property are unknown at this time.
Before the structure can be demolished, three new residential units must be
constructed in the City, to ensure no net loss of housing. Replacement units can
be in the form of either accessory dwelling units or affordable housing units as
part of a larger multifamily project.
Prior to acquisition, it was determined that the two tenant households residing at
the property qualified as low-income, thereby classifying their units as
"protected." Under the Act, these units must be replaced with housing subject to
a minimum 55-year affordable housing covenant. However, if the units remain
vacant for five years, or are occupied by households with incomes above the area
median, the replacement units would not be subject to affordable covenants.
Three people spoke about this issue. Margaret Shannon stated her opposition to
a parking lot, as she feels it would encourage more traffic. Mayor Stapleton said
that there are no plans for a parking lot. Jim Mosher and Adam Leverenz
questioned if the city was planning to wait the 5 years.
https://youtu.be/J8YcNfd6G2Q?t=5805