By Grace Leung, City Manager of Newport Beach
Some of you have already received new green-topped carts for recycling yard waste, food waste and other biodegradable materials through a state-mandated organic waste recycling program that is entered into force on January 1.
The deployment of the basket will continue until the end of March. Collection of organic recycling will begin the week following the delivery of the carts, on the same day as the collection of standard waste and recycling.
The delivery of the organic waste recycling cart includes educational materials on how to properly recycle to meet state environmental goals. I encourage you to read the booklet and consult the following resources for more information:
- Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn6jWR2RK6Q&t=24s for a short video on how to separate and recycle organic waste.
- Visit newportbeachca.gov/recycle to find out when organic recycling carts will arrive in your neighborhood (use the search function at the top of the page).
- Read our Frequently Asked Questions document at https://www.newportbeachca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/70926/637770021974330000 for answers to common questions and concerns.
- Collection days have changed for approximately 14,000 households. To find out your garbage and recycling collection day: newportbeachca.gov/findmycollectionday.
- Street sweeping days have also been adjusted in neighborhoods with changes to collection days. These neighborhoods include parts of the Balboa Peninsula (21st Street to G Street) and Corona del Mar (north of Coast Road), Irvine Terrance, Harbor Streets, and the northern tip of Newport Heights. These changes will avoid conflicts, fix parking conditions and maintain the efficiency of street sweeping.
For maps and information, visit www.newportbeachca.gov/2022sweeping or call the city’s utility department at (949) 644-3011.
Residents are encouraged to apply for aviation, general plan committees
- Aeronautical Commission. The City is seeking Community Representatives from Council District 1 to fill an unanticipated vacancy on the Aviation Committee. If you are a resident of District 1 and would like to apply, please visit newportbeachca.gov/vacancy for more information. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
- Steering committee for updating the general plan. The City is seeking community representatives for three vacant seats on the Reinstated Master Plan Update Steering Committee. If you are interested in applying, please visit, newportbeachca.gov/vacancy for more information. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 16 at noon.
JWA General Aviation Update Meeting February 10
John Wayne Airport staff will host a Community Meeting on February 10 with two sessions, 4-5 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., at the Airport Community Hall, 3160 Airway Ave., Costa Mesa, to provide an update on the General Aviation Improvement Program (GAIP). The public is invited to attend in person or via webstream or telephone. For more information, visit the airport’s GAIP website at https://www.ocair.com/business/general-aviation/general-aviation-improvement-program/.
Ongoing ocean jetty maintenance project
Maintenance work has begun at the Balboa and Newport docks. Over the next several months, Associated Pacific Constructors, Inc., a City contractor, will perform routine maintenance inspections and repairs underwater and below decks on the City’s ocean piers.
The Balboa and Newport piers were originally built in 1940. While the bridges are constructed of relatively low-maintenance concrete, the wooden support structures below the bridges are continually affected by sea waves. ocean, tides and harsh marine environment.
While maintenance is ongoing, both piers will remain open to the public, restaurant patrons and small delivery/trash trucks. Please exercise caution when walking near construction areas and contact Public Works at (949) 644-3311 with any questions or concerns.
Cases of COVID-19 in Newport Beach
As of February 3, the cumulative total number of COVID-19 cases in Newport Beach was 8,601 (a decrease after the number was adjusted downward on January 31 due to an earlier reporting error). The total number of cases in Orange County as of February 3 was 521,431, an increase of 18,139 cases since January 27. The number of recovered COVID-19 patients countywide as of February 3 was 410,516. These numbers are provided to Orange County by the California Department of Public Health.
Testing and Vaccination Resources
Home and self-collected COVID-19 test kits are available free of charge to people who work or live in Orange County and can be ordered online at www.ochealthinfo.com/covidtest.
In addition, free tests are now offered by the federal government through www.COVIDtests.gov or by calling (800) 232-0233. You can order up to four rapid tests to send to your home, which will be mailed free of charge through the US Postal Service within 7-12 days.
Vaccines continue to be widely available throughout Orange County for walk-in, same-day, and future appointments. People who are not yet vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19, or who are eligible for a third dose (due to immunosuppressed conditions) are encouraged to visit a local pharmacy or healthcare provider, or connect online to www.Vaccines.gov, www.MyTurn.ca.gov Where www.Othena.com to schedule a vaccination appointment. For more information on COVID-19 information and resources, including case counts, vaccination, and testing in Orange County, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/covid.
Homelessness Update
- City Net, the contracted social services agency in Newport Beach, visited apartment buildings for the elderly with two men who received emergency housing vouchers. Emergency Housing Vouchers are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and allow people to pay affordable rent based on their fixed income. Nine homeless people in Newport Beach received vouchers. The voucher program is administered by the Orange County Housing Authority. City Net helps Newport Beach customers complete necessary paperwork, obtain bank statements, view potential rental apartments, and more.
- 17 people who were homeless in Newport Beach are now housed in the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.
- City Net signed up two people to its services and conducted a vulnerability index assessment. City Net uses the Vulnerability Index assessment to screen clients on a number of factors to determine appropriate placement in the county’s continuum of care system. Factors include age, health issues and length of homelessness.
To donate to those living homeless in Newport Beach, please visit our Good Giving Program webpage at https://newportbeachca.gov/trending/community-issues/homelessness/how-you-can-help.
Volunteers wanted for the homeless Point in Time Count
Sign up to help shape homeless services in Orange County for the next few years as part of the one-time count, Feb. 22-24. Point in Time is a biannual tally of people who are homeless on any given night. The count provides vital information that helps the county better understand homelessness in the community and guides how the county and its partners respond to homelessness in Orange County.
Volunteer opportunities are available before the event and during the Point in Time Count event. Register on https://www.everyonecountsoc.org/.