City Mulls New Pickleball Courts, Ending Water Shortage Tuesday

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Newport Beach City Councilmembers will gather Tuesday, April 25 and discuss a slew of topics ranging from new pickleball courts to the possible development of a pilot program that would allow some homeowners' associations the right to install private security cameras in public areas.

Councilmembers will meet at 4 p.m. in council chambers to hold a study session to discuss the possible development of a pilot program to allow homeowners' associations with 50 or more members to install private security cameras within public rights-of-way, according to a city staff report.

The study session will include a staff presentation and discussion on the subject.

The regular Newport Beach City Council meeting starts at 6 p.m., and topics on the agenda include:

• Councilmembers will consider an updated lease agreement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast for the use of recreation facilities at Eastbluff Park, 2555 Vista del Oro. The nonprofit is asking the city to approve a new 30-year lease agreement to allow for the continued use of the facilities.
• The Council will consider lifting the City's drought-related water restrictions following California's record-setting rainfall this winter. Newport Beach enacted water use restrictions in June 2022 and November 2022 to comply with state mandates after a prolonged drought. Since then, California and Orange County have received record amounts of rainfall, which refilled major water reservoirs and raised groundwater levels. The City Council will consider a repeal of Resolution No. 2022-88, ending the Level Two water shortage.
• Conveyance and lease agreements that will allow the City to maintain and operate new public docks at Balboa Marina, near 201 E. Coast Highway. A conveyance agreement would allow The Irvine Company to transfer the public docks to the City, as part of a 2015 agreement to expand Balboa Marina. A proposed 45-year lease agreement with the County of Orange would approve the use of public tidelands property for a portion of the 12-slip, public dock area.
• A public hearing on a 2023-2024 spending plan for nearly $400,000 in Community Development Block Grants. The City receives federal funds each year to benefit those with low and moderate incomes, aid in the prevention of neighborhood deterioration, and meet other urgent community development needs due to natural disasters or other emergencies.
• The Council will consider a zoning amendment that would allow recreational facilities to be developed on a portion of the parking lot at the Orange County Transportation Authority transit facility at Avocado Avenue and San Joaquin Hills Road. The amendment would apply to Area 1 of the Newport Village Planned Community development plan, which includes the 2.43-acre Transit Center property. The City is considering a license agreement with OCTA to use part of the Transit Center parking lot to construct pickleball courts.

Residents can view the entire agenda, as well as reports here.

The Newport Beach City Council meets for its study session at 4 p.m. and its regular meeting at 6 p.m. at Newport Beach City Hall, 100 Civic Center Dr.