City Government in Newport Beach
Newport Beach is a charter city governed by a seven-member City Council. Every even-numbered year, either three or four members are elected by the voters at large to represent their respective districts for a four-year term. Council Members can only serve two consecutive terms. The City Charter provides for the selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem by the City Council. The City Council deliberates and takes action in open session in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act).
The City Council appoints the City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney to carry out Council policies and to serve as executive officers for the City. Professionally qualified and experienced personnel lead the departments in providing municipal services to the public.
City Council Meetings
Regular City Council meetings are generally held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Study Sessions are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 4:00 p.m. (subject to change). Contact the City Clerk's Office at (949) 644-3005 for verification of time for study sessions.
Pursuant to Resolution No. 2010-7, Council Meetings for 2010 will be held on:
January 12
January 26
February 9
February 23
March 9
March 23
April 13
April 27
May 11
May 25
June 8
June 22
July 6 (1st Tuesday of the month)
July 27
August 10 (August 24 meeting is dark)
September 14
September 28
October 12
October 26
November 9
November 23
December 14
Council Meeting Agendas and Agenda Packets
At each study session and regular meeting, Council follows an agenda which is prepared the preceding Wednesday according to Council Policy. The agenda packets are delivered to the City Council prior to the meeting and are made available to the public at the Central Library and in the City Clerk's Office on the Thursday prior to the meeting, and in the Council Chambers the evening of the meeting. The agenda packets are also available in PDF format, including all attachments, or HTML (without attachments).
Televised Meetings
Meetings are televised the evening of the meeting by Time Warner and Cox Communications, and are rebroadcast the Sundays following the meeting at 4:30 p.m. and the following Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. until the next meeting is aired. Meetings are also video streamed.
Explanation of City Council Actions
Motion - A motion proposes an action or decision of the Council such as the adoption of a resolution or approval of a budget amendment.
Vote - Unless otherwise specified by the Charter or State law, a majority vote by the City Council is sufficient to pass a motion.
Ordinances and Resolutions - An ordinance or amendment to an ordinance is a “legislative act” and, with few exceptions, requires two readings at two separate Council meetings after which it is published. Ordinances adopted in this manner take effect 30 days after adoption. Ordinances are the most binding and permanent type of Council action and may be repealed only by a subsequent ordinance.
A resolution is a formal written action of the City Council generally on ministerial, administrative, or executive matters, but occasionally represents an action on legislative matters such as a general plan amendment. It requires only one reading, becomes effective upon adoption, and may be changed by a subsequent resolution or expire by its own terms.
Unless a higher vote is required, the affirmative votes of at least four members of the City Council shall be required for the enactment of any ordinance or resolution, or for making or approving any order for the payment of money.
Consent Calendar - In an effort to conduct more efficient Council meetings, the agenda contains a “Consent Calendar” which permits routine matters or non-controversial issues (minutes in PDF or HTML formats, resolutions, second reading of ordinances, contracts, budget amendments, etc.) to be handled by one motion. There is no discussion of these items prior to the motion to approve the entire Consent Calendar unless a Council Member, staff or the public request that the item be removed for discussion and separate action.
ADA Compliance
It is the intention of the City to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all respects. If, as an attendee or a participant at a meeting, you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the City Clerk’s office at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to inform us of your particular need and to determine if the accommodation is feasible.