“For Locals, by Locals”
NEWPORTBEACHINDY.COM
JUNE 21, 2024 | VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 13
Entrants Wanted for the Annual July 4 Old Glory Boat Parade in Newport Harbor
July 4 Advisories from the Newport Beach Police Department
July 4 Old Glory Boat Parade 2023 / photo by Lawrence Sherwin
By Christopher Trela | NB Indy Whether you have a luxury yacht or a luxurious Duffy boat, it’s time to decorate your watercraft and participate in the annual Old Glory Boat Parade on Thursday, July 4, beginning at 1 p.m. This is part of the three-day American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 Centennial event, celebrating its 100th anniversary. This year’s theme is “Stars, Stripes, and Sails,” so it shouldn’t be too difficult to decorate boats to celebrate this theme. Leading the parade will be the American
Legion Yacht Club boat Valor with Grand Marshal Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill, followed by VIP boats filled with active duty servicemembers and veterans. According to the American Legion Yacht Club, participation in this all-volunteer boat parade is an extension of the celebration of volunteers and community programs for the betterment of Newport Beach and surrounding communities. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. off the east end of Lido Island and follow a course similar to the Christmas Boat Parade
that circumnavigates the harbor until it concludes at 3:30 p.m. All boaters are invited to decorate their vessels and participate in the parade. Registration is free and available online at the American Legion Yacht Club website at www.alyc.com. There will be skipper meetings on Friday, June 28 and Tuesday, July 2 for those interested in joining in the parade. Participants will compete for class
JULY 4 Page 6
Newport Beach City Manager Update
Grace Leung, Newport Beach City Manager
By Grace Leung, Newport Beach City Manager The City of Newport Beach continues to enjoy strong, stable finances with a healthy outlook, as evidenced in the $494.8 million Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget approved by the City Council on Tuesday, June 11. The City budget is balanced, sets
aside funds for long-term infrastructure projects, and continues an aggressive pension paydown strategy that is expected to eliminate the City’s pension liability in less than 10 years. The budget maintains Newport Beach’s high level of services, particularly in the area of public safety. Fortunately, the City’s revenue outlook remains strong for the coming fiscal year. Property taxes, the City’s largest revenue source, are expected to increase by 4% due to additional sales and renovation activity. Sales tax projections also show positive increases. As directed by the City Council’s Fiscal Sustainability Plan, this year’s budget includes performance metrics for each City department, as part of an ongoing effort to ensure the high quality, efficient delivery of programs and services. On a related note, Fitch ratings recently reaffirmed the City’s excellent AAA credit rating, citing a stable tax base, ongoing pension debt contributions, and commitment to fiscally conservative budget policies.
For more information on City finances, please visit our budget and finance information web page: newportbeachca. gov/government/departments/finance. Community Celebrates Junior Lifeguard Building Grand Opening Hundreds of community members joined City officials on Wednesday, June 12 for a ribbon-cutting celebration and open house for the new Junior Lifeguard Building at 901 E. Ocean Front near the Balboa Pier. The 5,400 square-foot facility is the first permanent home for the popular Junior Lifeguard Program, which has operated out of temporary trailers for decades. After several speeches, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, and the unveiling of a donor recognition wall, the building’s doors were opened to the community for a festive two-hour open house. Speakers included Mayor Will O’Neill, Reenie Boyer CITY MANAGER Page 9
By NB Indy Staff The City of Newport Beach enhances public safety efforts on the Fourth of July holiday to help maintain a safe, festive and family friendly environment in the city. Though most residents and business owners are well versed in these efforts for the Fourth of July, here are reminders from the Newport Beach Police Department about street closures, prohibited items and other important details and tips. On the 4th of July, text NBJULY4 to 65513 to receive updated road closure information, significant traffic advisories and community advisories. The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic on July 4 during the time periods specified: From approximately 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Balboa Boulevard from 32nd Street to Channel Place will be closed to westbound vehicular traffic for the Fourth of July is for Families parade. No left-turns from westbound Balboa Blvd. traffic at 34th St., 36th St., 39th St., 43rd St. and 46th St. (also for the parade). From 10:30 a.m. to the early morning hours of July : Southbound Orange Street at West Coast Highway will be closed. Via Malaga from Via Oporto to Via Lido will be closed. From approximately 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Back Bay Drive will be closed. San Joaquin Hills Road between Back Bay Drive and the entrance to the Park Newport Apartment Community will be closed. All streets on the Balboa Peninsula will be open to vehicle traffic; however, the Newport Beach Police Department will be monitoring traffic conditions throughout the day and will facilitate additional street closures should the need arise. On-street and other public parking will be extremely limited in the West Newport area. All residents and visitors are cautioned to park in legal, public spaces or their own, private spaces or garages. Vehicles parked illegally will be issued parking citations and may be towed. The City of Newport Beach offers a free trolley service for Balboa Peninsula during summer weekends and holidays – including July 4th. There will again be a Safety Enhancement Zone in the area bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the
NBPD Page 10
INSIDE
COASTAL
REAL ESTATE GUIDE THE ULTIMATE REAL ESTATE GUIDE FOR HOMEBUYERS & OWNERS IN NEWPORT BEACH AND LAGUNA BEACH