Harbor Commission - Regular Meeting

CALL MEETING TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Draft Meeting Minutes of the September 9, 2026 Harbor Commission Regular Meeting

9.9.2026 Draft Harbor Commission Meeting Minutes 9.9.2026 Draft Harbor Commission Meeting Minutes Vice Chair Scully

Study Session Regarding Yacht Club Mooring Fields in Newport Harbor

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) performed a review of the City of Newport Beach's (City) management of its granted tidelands and issued a formal report titled Report on the City of Newport Beach's Public Trust Lands Management (Report) on December 16, 2025. The Report raised policy and administrative concerns with the various permit programs in Newport Harbor, administered by the City. One such program is related to yacht club mooring fields. The Report identified several areas where the City could strengthen its practices to ensure compliance with its legal obligations as a trustee of State lands. The purpose of this study session is to provide the Harbor Commission with an overview of yacht club mooring fields, including possible changes to the program and the terms of a proposed agreement governing the use. No action will be taken at this study session. Any proposed changes will be discussed during the upcoming public stakeholder meetings. The matter will return to the Harbor Commission at a future regular meeting, at which time it can provide a recommendation to the City Council, as the final decisionmaker. Public comments will be received at all meetings where this matter is considered. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Harbor Commission receive the presentation, accept public comment, discuss the proposed changes, and provide any initial direction to staff.

2027 Harbor and Beaches Master Plan - Review

Staff will provide an overview of the draft 2027 Harbor and Beaches Master Plan. The Harbor Commission is requested to provide initial comments this evening, then consider final approval at the next meeting. RECOMMENDATION: 1) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. 2) Receive and file.

Public Dock Surveillance Camera Expansion Proposal - Status Update

This report provides the Harbor Commission with an update on the Harbormaster's proposal to expand video surveillance camera coverage to additional public docks and piers throughout Newport Harbor. The proposal was originally prepared in March 2025 and presented to the City's Information Technology (IT) Department. This report summarizes the demonstrated effectiveness of the existing camera systems at the 15th Street and 19th Street Public Docks, identifies the additional public dock locations proposed for camera installation, and outlines the current status of funding and interdepartmental coordination. RECOMMENDATION: 1) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and 2) Receive and file.

Ad Hoc Committee Updates

Each ad hoc committee studying their respective Objective within the Commission's 2026 Objectives, will provide a progress update. RECOMMENDATION: 1) Find this action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and 2) Receive and file.

Harbor Commission 2026 Objectives

Each ad hoc committee studying their respective Objective within the Commission's 2026 Objectives, will provide a progress update. RECOMMENDATION: 1) Find this action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and 2) Receive and file.

Harbormaster Update - September 2026 Activities

The Harbormaster oversees the City Harbor Department and is responsible for the management of the City's mooring fields and Balboa Yacht Basin marina, support for the Harbor Commission, municipal code enforcement on the harbor, events and marine activities permitting, safety and rescue operations, management of the Marina Park visitor-serving marina, marine sanitation pump-out equipment and public pier maintenance, water quality monitoring and maintenance, impound and disposition of abandoned and unclaimed vessels, and public relations and information dissemination on and about Newport Harbor, as well as several special projects. This report will update the Harbor Commission and the public on the Harbor Department's recent activities. RECOMMENDATION: 1) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and 2) Receive and file.

MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION

COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM)

DATE AND TIME FOR NEXT MEETING: November 18, 2026 at 5 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT