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utilize automatic valves and help reduce the need for manual pumping in the future . In the meantime , please join me in thanking our Utilities and Public Works team members who perform this vital service for our community .
Keeping Our Waterways Clean Before , After Storms
One of the most visible impacts of heavy rainfall is the amount of trash and debris that collects in the Back Bay , Newport Harbor and along our beaches between the Santa Ana River and Newport Pier .
Geography presents an ongoing challenge . Newport Beach sits at the terminus of two urban rivers , the Santa Ana River in West Newport , and the Bonita Creek / San Diego Creek outlet that flows into the Back Bay , Newport Harbor and ultimately the ocean . During and after a heavy rainstorm , a tremendous amount of trash and debris accumulates along miles of river channel and ends up in Newport Beach . In some years , the City removes as much as 800 tons of trash and debris from beaches .
The City , along with public and private partners , has a number of projects to capture trash before it enters the bay and ocean :
• A debris boom in Upper Newport Bay collects about 80 tons of trash every year .
• Forty storm drains throughout the city are equipped with a capture system called continuous deflective separators , or CDS . These units , which cost between $ 250,000 and $ 1 million each , capture 20-30 tons of trash a year collectively .
• More than 400 trash screens are installed in catch basin openings throughout the city , which capture an additional 2 to 3 tons a year in all .
• Newport Beach partnered with Santa Ana and other neighboring cities on a $ 9 million trash collection system in the Santa Ana Delhi Channel , which collects trash that would otherwise enter Upper Newport Bay .
• Eight skimmers are deployed throughout Newport Harbor that , together , collect 7 to 8 tons of trash a year .
• Regular street sweeping helps prevent local trash and urban runoff ( oil , chemicals ) from entering the waterways .
• The City is working on a project to install a $ 3 million , solar-and water-powered trash interceptor in San Diego Creek that will collect hundreds of tons of trash a year before it enters Upper Newport Bay .
However , these preventive measures are not enough to collect all the litter and debris that washes down the rivers during a storm . The City ’ s Public Works beach maintenance crews perform the bulk of the
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cleanup along the coastline , using heavy equipment for larger debris and picking up smaller pieces by hand . Our Harbor Department staff also cleans up floating debris in the bay after storm events .
Our partners at Trellis International take on cleanup projects throughout the city every month , and have focused on the beaches after the recent storms . We can also thank volunteer organizations , including Surfrider and Help Your Harbor , for organizing beach cleanup events that contribute greatly to keeping our beaches clean .
City Projects for 2023
City staff and I are already off and running , with a number of exciting projects lined up for 2023 that will help enhance the quality of life in Newport Beach , improve the environment and expand services provided by the City . Here are a few of note :
• The new Junior Lifeguard Building at the Balboa Pier is expected to be completed by Memorial Day , in time for the summer season . The 5,400 square-foot facility will serve as a permanent home for the City ’ s popular Junior Lifeguard program and be available for various public uses when the program is not in session .
• Construction is expected to begin shortly on the new Superior Avenue Pedestrian / Bicycle Bridge and Parking Lot project , following approval by the Council in November .
• A critical dredging project will commence in the lower Newport Harbor federal channel this spring to improve navigation and increase tidal flushing . The project , a partnership between the City and Army Corps of Engineers , will remove about 1.2 million cubic yards of accumulated sediment , returning the waterways to their original depths of -10 to -20 feet .
• The Library Lecture Hall , a 9,500-square-foot facility planned for the south side of the Central Library , may begin construction this year . The Council may consider a construction contract as soon as this spring , with construction anticipated to be about 14 months . The Lecture Hall is being funded through a public-private partnership .
• Public outreach will commence on a proposed project to rehabilitate the Newport Pier and McFadden Plaza area . With community input , City consultants will develop proposals to replace or refurbish the pier and plaza , public restrooms , lifeguard headquarters , parking lots , and potentially reconfigure the bike path as it intersects with the plaza .
• Design work will kick off on a facility replacement for the Balboa Branch Library and Fire Station No . 1 building on the Peninsula . There
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will be opportunities for public input this year in anticipation of construction in 2025 .
These and other projects will be discussed at the City Council ’ s annual planning session on Saturday , January 28 from 9 a . m . to noon in the Council Chambers . The public is invited to attend and provide input .
Newport Beach Public Library Awarded 4 Stars
The Newport Beach Public Library has been awarded 4 Stars in a national ranking compiled by Library Journal .
The 2022 Library Journal Index of Public Library Service and Star compares peer libraries in eight areas : physical circulation , circulation of electronic materials , library visits , program attendance , public internet computer usage , Wi-Fi sessions , electronic content retrievals , and library website visits .
Newport Beach Public Library is the only Star Library recognized in Orange County and Just one of twelve in California .
Replacement Underway for Ramp , Stairs at Lifeguard Headquarters
A project to replace the ramp and stairs connecting the Newport Pier and the Benjamin M . Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters began on January 6 . The existing ramp has been closed due to deterioration .
Pedestrian access along the pier will be maintained throughout construction . Protective fencing has been installed and the public is advised to exercise caution when walking near the construction area . The project is expected to be completed in April .
Signage is in place advising the public to call for lifeguard assistance from the pier at ( 949 ) 644-3047 .
Civic Center Green Turf to be Replaced Following Rain Delays
The 20,000-square foot Civic Center Green hosts a number of special community events each year such as the Mayor ’ s Egg Race and Summer Concerts on the Green , as well as many private rentals .
Eight years of wear and tear , since the opening of the Civic Center , have made it necessary to replace the turf . In December , crews removed the old turf and began grading and preparing the soil for new sod .
The City ’ s intention was to finish the project by the New Year ; however , it was delayed by the recent storms and rainfall . Crews will finish the work once the storms have passed , and the Civic Green will be ready to start hosting more funfilled events in 2023 .
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City Hotline Provides Updates on Sports Fields , Trail Conditions With the rainy season upon us , City staff regularly monitors weather forecasts and tracks the impact of rain on the condition of City sports fields and hiking trails .
Staff evaluates the safety and playability to determine if temporary field closures are necessary . Updates are available by phone through the “ mudline ” or by text and email .
MUDLINE : Call ( 949 ) 718-1860 to hear the latest report . Email : Recreation staff at sports @ newportbeachca . gov .
Be Well Mobile Crisis Response Update
The Be Well mobile crisis response team operates in Newport Beach 12 hours a day , seven days a week to respond to mental and behavioral health crises . The mobile unit is staffed with mental health specialists and EMTs , and works closely with the City ’ s police and fire departments . This week the Be Well team :
• Transported a person with suicidal ideations to a crisis stabilization unit for treatment .
• Transported a person to the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter for an intake appointment .
• Transported a distraught older adult discharged from an emergency room to a motel to shelter from the rain .
• Assisted a person returning to the Friendship Shelter in Laguna Beach .
• Assisted a person with obtaining a new cell phone and a new EBT card .
• Transported seven people to services , shelter intakes , and appointments .
• Homelessness update
The City of Newport Beach provides a comprehensive response to address homelessness through a coordinated effort by City staff , contractors , partner agencies , and nonprofit groups .
Homelessness Update Last week , the City ’ s homeless outreach and response teams :
• Transported a veteran client to an intake appointment at the Veterans ’ Administration . The person resides at HB Oasis , a non-congregate transitional housing facility . HB Oasis was an older motel that was converted into transitional housing through the state ’ s Project Homekey initiative .
• Continued to shelter people . Nineteen people who had been experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach are now sheltered in the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter .
• Helped a person shelter at the Yale Navigation Center .
• Completed housing documentation with two clients .
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