Community Members:

Please join me in thanking and congratulating Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis, who announced his retirement this week, effective December 31.

While we will miss his leadership tremendously, Chief Lewis leaves behind an exceptional department that will ensure the continuation of excellent public safety service to our community. I've appointed Deputy Chief Joe Cartwright, who has held a variety of field and command-level positions in 20 years with the Newport Beach Police Department, to serve as acting chief.

Chief Lewis is well known in our community as a longtime veteran of the NBPD who rose through the ranks to become chief of police in 2016. He has been a respected and trusted leader who implemented innovative crime-reduction programs, such as data-driven community policing and excellence in emergency response and 911 call answer times. Under his leadership, the department developed innovative wellness initiatives in collaboration with national experts, resulting in higher morale, productivity and police service improvements.

Our search for his successor will begin in the new year. In the meantime, our community will have a few weeks to thank Chief Lewis for his many years of service and wish him the very best in retirement.

City Manager, Grace K. Leung

Alternate Routes Recommended Next Week to Avoid Jamboree Rd. Construction
Expect traffic delays on northbound Jamboree Road next week as construction crews on a repaving project switch from nighttime to daytime work.

Between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 14 through Thursday, November 17, paving work will take place in the northbound lanes of Jamboree between Sea Vista and Ford Road. Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes to avoid delays as heavy traffic is expected, especially during school drop-off and pick-up hours. In addition, bridge deck maintenance will be taking place on the Jamboree Road Bridge, which crosses over Upper Newport Bay.

The switch from nighttime to daytime construction is due to weather impacts, including low nighttime temperatures that preclude paving at night.

For about three weeks after completion of the paving operation, crews will be adjusting all utilities to grade and installing new traffic signal detectors at all intersections. This work will require intermittent closures for northbound and southbound lanes. A minimum of one lane will remain open at all times. Alternate routes such as MacArthur Boulevard are advised.

The overall project, which includes paving and adding reclaimed water service to the median landscaping, is expected to be completed by mid-December.

Storm Brings Positive Start to Rainy Season
We were fortunate to receive some much-needed rain this week. The Orange County Water District Field Headquarters in Anaheim recorded a total of 2.28 inches of rainfall from this week’s storms. This brings the season total (since the beginning of July) to 2.96 inches, above the seasonal average of 2.09 inches.
While this is a positive start for the rainy season, there is still a pressing need to conserve water and address the state's long-term drought conditions. An easy way to save water is to turn off sprinklers before, during and after rain events. For more water-saving tips and rebates, visit http://www.watersmartnewport.org. 

City Hall Permit Center Launches Self Check-in

Applicants visiting the Permit Center can now choose a self check-in option with their mobile device or from our new stationary kiosk.

Customers will be notified via text message as they are checked in, called for service at the counter, or transferred to a different department staff member. A final text message will notify that service has been completed, including a link to our customer satisfaction survey.

Our goal is to provide a better overall experience when doing business at the Permit Center.

The system also tracks applicants' wait times, which will help the City better serve visitors and continue to improve the Permit Center experience.

Click here to Read More Information About City of Newport Beach The Week In Review - November 10, 2022