Newport Beach adopts amendment for federal grant program, resolution for trash

The Newport Beach City Council on Tuesday amended its action plan for the upcoming year to identify activities and projects that prevent, prepare or respond to COVID-19 that will be funded by the federal community development block grant program.

Community development director Seimone Jurjis said the block grant program was intended to be used for prevention of COVID-19 and support of those affected by the coronavirus.

The city received an additional $741,079 from the CARES Act by way of the federal block grant, according to a staff report.

About $24,000 of that will be allocated to administration, Jurjis said. The remaining money will be put toward public services.

The amendment is required to notify the federal department of housing and urban development as to how the funds will be allocated for eligible projects and activities under the requirements of the CARES Act.

The city initially received $210,324 in the first round of funding, which was allocated to a economic development program to assist small businesses affected by COVID-19.

The amendment Tuesday was unanimously approved. Councilman Duffy Duffield was absent from the meeting.

In other business, the council rescinded a resolution and adopted a new one in its place regarding the Washington Street refuse bins in Balboa Village.

The new resolution identifies eligible businesses to use the bin enclosure on Washington Street and East Bay Avenue by their property addresses as opposed to listing users by their business names. It also establishes a fee to be paid by the property owner for use.

The City Council also approved this action. Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Muldoon was the lone dissenter on the vote.

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