The City of Newport Beach is current accepting applications
to fill vacancies on various Boards and Commissions.
The deadline to file an application is 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010.
Many Newport Beach citizens give their time to assist and advise the City Council on issues facing the legislative body. Service on City Boards, Commissions and Committees is one of the principal means by which citizens can participate in city government. The City Council is always looking for qualified electors of the City to serve in these capacities. Listed below is a summary of some of the volunteer opportunities that are available to residents of the City. Applications are accepted on a year-round basis. The application can be completed online or downloaded [PDF]. You may also fax or mail the application to the City Clerk's Office.
Pursuant to Council policy, applications are kept on file for a two-year period and when vacancies arise for the position(s) applied for, the applicants are contacted to determine availability and continued interest in serving. Applications and supporting documentation are public record and may be posted on the internet.
- Board of Library Trustees
General Information
The Board of Library Trustees consists of five (5) members appointed by the City Council for a term of four years. The Board meets on the first Tuesday (Study Session) and the third Tuesday (Regular Meeting) of each month. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the staff liaison, Cynthia Cowell, Library Services Director, 949-717-3801.
Purpose & Responsibilities
- Have charge of the administration of City libraries and make and enforce such by-laws, rules and regulations as may be necessary.
- Designate its own secretary.
- Consider the annual budget for library purposes during the process of its preparation and make recommendations with respect thereto to the City Council and City Manager.
- Purchase and acquire books, journals, maps, publications and other supplies peculiar to the needs of the library, subject, however, to the limitations of the budget for such purposes. The expenditure and
disbursement of funds for such purchases shall be made and approved as elsewhere provided in the Charter.
- Approve or disapprove the appointment, suspension or removal of the Librarian, who shall be the department head.
- Accept money, personal property or real estate donated to the City for library purposes, subject to the approval of the City Council.
- Contract with schools, county or other governmental agencies to render or receive library services or facilities subject to the approval of the City Council.
General Information
The City Arts Commission consists of seven (7) members appointed by the City Council for a term of four years. The Commission meets on the second Thursday of each month. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the staff liaison, Jana Barbier, Arts Coordinator, 949-717-3870.
Purpose & Responsibilities
- Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to artistic, aesthetic and cultural aspects of the City.
- Recommend to the City Council the adoption of such ordinances, rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the administration and preservation of fine arts, performing arts, historical, aesthetic and
cultural aspects of the community.
- On behalf of the City, actively encourage programs for the cultural enrichment of the community.
- Perform such other duties relating to the Arts as the City Council may require.
General Information
The Civil Service Board consists of five (5) members appointed by the Council for a term of four years. The Board meets on the first Monday of each month. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the staff liaison, Terri Cassidy, Human Resources Director, 949-644-3300.
Purpose & Responsibilities
- Recommend to the City Council, after a public hearing thereon, the adoption, amendment or repeal of civil service rules and regulations.
- Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council on problems concerning personnel administration.
- Hear appeals of any person in the City employment relative to any suspension, demotion or dismissal and make findings and recommendations thereon.
- Make any investigation concerning the administration of personnel in the municipal service and report its findings to the City Council and City Manager when requested to do so by the City Council, the City Manager or by any organized City employees association.
- Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance.
General Information
The Harbor Commission consists of seven (7) members appointed by the City Council for a term of four years. The commission meeting schedule has not been established yet. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the staff liaison, Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Division Manager, 949-644-3034.
Purpose & Responsibilities
- Advise the City Council in all matters pertaining to the use, control, operation, promotion and regulation of all vessels and watercraft within the Newport Harbor.
- Approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove applications on all harbor permits where the City of Newport Beach Municipal Code assigns the authority for the decision to the Harbor Commission.
- Serve as an appellate and reviewing body for decisions of the City Manager on harbor permits, leases, and other harbor-related administrative matters where the City of Newport Beach Municipal Code assigns such authority to the Harbor Commission.
- Advise the City Council on proposed harbor-related improvements.
- Advise the Planning Commission and City Council on land use and property development applications referred to the Harbor Commission by the City Council, Planning Commission, or the City Manager.
- Make recommendations to the City Council for the adoption of regulations and programs necessary for the ongoing implementation of the goals, objectives, and policies of the Harbor and Bay Element of the General Plan.
- Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission
General Information
The Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission consists of seven (7) members appointed by the City Council for a term of four years. The Commission meets on the first Tuesday of each month. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the staff liaisons, Laura Detweiler, Recreation & Senior Services Director, 949-644-3151 or Mark Harmon, General Services Director, 949-644-3055.
Purpose & Responsibilities
- Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to parks, beaches, recreation, parkways and street trees.
- Consider the annual budget for parks, beaches, recreation, parkways and street tree purposes during the process of its preparation and make recommendations with respect thereto to the City Council and City
Manager.
- Assist in the planning of parks and recreation programs for the inhabitants of the City, promote and stimulate public interest therein, and to that end, solicit to the fullest extent possible, the cooperation of school
authorities and other public and private agencies interested therein.
- Establish policies for the acquisition, development and improvement of parks, beaches and playgrounds and for the planting, care and removal of trees and shrubs in all parks, playgrounds and streets, subject to the rights and powers of the City Council.
- Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance not inconsistent with the provisions of the City Charter.
General Information
The Planning Commission consists of seven (7) members appointed by the City Council for a term of four years. The Planning Commission meets twice monthly on the Thursdays preceding Council meetings. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the staff liaison, David Lepo, Planning Director, 949-644-3228.
Purpose & Responsibilities
- After a public hearing thereon, recommend to the City Council the adoption, amendment or repeal of a Master Plan, or any part thereof, for the physical development of the City.
- Exercise such control over land subdivision as is granted to it by ordinance not inconsistent with the provisions of the Charter.
- Make recommendations to the City Council concerning proposed public works and for the clearance and rebuilding of blighted or substandard areas within the City.
- Exercise such functions with respect to zoning and land use as may be prescribed by ordinance not inconsistent with the provisions of the Charter.
General Information
The Aviation Committee consists of two (2) Council Members appointed by the Mayor, the City Manager and City Attorney (or their designees), one (1) appointee and one (1) alternate from each Council Member District (confirmed by the City Council), the current president (or designee) of the Airport Working Group (AWG), and a resident of the area known as Newport Coast/Newport Ridge that was annexed to the City effective 1/1/02 (appointed by the Mayor). The committee meets on an as-needed basis. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the City Attorney’s office, 949-644-3131.
Purpose & Responsibilities
- Monitor and participate as appropriate in the El Toro Reuse Planning Process.
- Monitor development, operations, and other activities at John Wayne Airport and report to the City Council.
- Review aviation-related information from Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the Orange County Regional Airport Authority (OCRAA), El Toro Reuse Planning Authority (ETRPA), and other groups involved in airport land use, master plans, additional site selection, and related matters.
- Make recommendations to City Council regarding current and future policies regarding regional air traffic service and the establishment of an additional commercial airport to serve Orange County.
- Assist in the dissemination of information to Newport Beach residents regarding the El Toro reuse planning process, the City's activities and involvement in that process, and the future status of John Wayne Airport and the Settlement Agreement.
- Coastal/Bay Water Quality Citizens Advisory Committee*
General Information
The Coastal/Bay Water Quality Citizens Advisory Committee consists of three (3) Council Members and one (1) appointee for each Council Member District. The committee meets on the first Thursday of each month. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the staff liaison, Chris Miller, Harbor Resources Division Manager, 949-644-3034.
Purpose & Responsibilities
The Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the City Council on policies, projects and programs that will achieve the Committee’s mission, including Council efforts to:
- Educate the watershed’s population about the value of Newport Bay and the ocean.
Enforce and/or strengthen existing regulations on actions that impair water quality or wildlife habitat.
- Advocate for policies, programs and projects that improve the water quality of Newport Bay and the ocean.
- Oppose policies, programs or projects that detract from good water quality in the Newport Bay watershed and the ocean.
- Develop, fund, and monitor water quality initiatives, including testing and structural projects, that meet the Committee’s mission.
* Formerly the Harbor Quality Citizens Advisory Committee (name change eff. 1/22/02)
- Economic Development Committee
General Information
The Economic Development Committee consists of the Mayor, two (2) Council Members, the chairman of the Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee, a Planning Commissioner, and twenty-three (23) other members: five (5) members representing various local organizations, five (5) members representing areas of special expertise as well as three (3) at-large members, and ten (10) members representing various city business districts. The committee meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month unless that Wednesday follows a Council meeting, and then it meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the staff liaison, Sharon Wood, Assistant City Manager, 949-644-3222.
Purpose & Responsibilities
- Review, monitor and assist the activities of staff as outlined in the City Council Economic Development Policy.
- Make recommendations regarding appointment of appropriate staffing levels for Economic Development activities.
- Make recommendations to the City Council to further the goals of the City’s Economic Development Policy.
General Information
The Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee consists of two (2) Council Members, the chairman or designee from the Economic Development Committee, a chairman (citizen at-large) appointed by the Mayor, and twenty-one (21) other members: one (1) from each of the seven (7) City Council districts, seven (7) members at-large from each of the seven (7) City Council districts, four (4) members representing homeowners or community associations, appointed by the City Council from recommendations made by the committee, and three (3) members who have knowledge of CEQA administration or environmental issues of concern, appointed by the City Council from recommendations made by the committee. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the staff liaison, Sharon Wood, Assistant City Manager, 949-644-3222.
Purpose & Responsibilities
- To review and submit comments during the public review period (upon publication of the Notice of Preparation (NOP) and/or the Notice of Completion [NOC]) with respect to any Environmental Impact Report
(EIR) prepared by the City.
- If requested by the City Council or the City Manager, to review and, subject to the approval of the City Council or City Manager, submit, on behalf of the City, comments on any NOP or NOC for an EIR prepared by another public agency for a Project that has the potential to cause significant adverse environmental impacts in the City of Newport Beach.
- The Committee may review and submit comments on any negative declaration prepared by the City for any project that is not subject to the review and/or approval of any other Board, Commission or Committee without first receiving a request from the City Council or City Manager.
- To request the City Manager to schedule presentations from City staff relative to activities with the potential to impact the environment and quality of life issues.
- To request the City Manager and/or City Council to schedule a presentation from members of the Committee to the City Council relative to any action of the Committee or any activity that the Committee has determined could have a significant effect on Newport Beach.
- Newport Coast Advisory Committee
General Information
The Newport Coast Advisory Committee consists of seven (7) members of the Newport Coast community, appointed as follows: four (4) members appointed by the Newport Coast Committee of 2000 or, if the NCC2K ceases to exist, the Master Homeowners’ Association in Newport Coast; and three (3) members appointed by the City Council from an applicant pool of Newport Coast residents. The City Council Member(s) representing the Newport Coast community shall make up one, two or all three of these appointments. For more detailed information about the meeting schedule and time commitment, contact the staff liaison, Dave Kiff, Assistant City Manager, 949-644-3002.
Purpose & Responsibilities
- Advise the City Council on any matter of importance to the Newport Coast community not listed herein.
- Advise the City Council on the Newport Coast community’s interest (or lack thereof) in the placement of a community center in the Newport Coast. Advise the City Council on the location, design, and use of the
Community Center.
- Advise the City Council on the equitable allocation of approximately $18 million in assessment district relief to owners and occupiers of single-family homes in the Newport Coast.
- Advise the City Council regarding the maintenance of slopes, medians, and parks within the Newport Coast. Advise the City Council of the quality and standards of such maintenance.