Commentary: Grateful for a significant year of change in Newport

It was one year ago that I was honored to be elected mayor by my fellow council members. Since that time, your council representatives have been dealing with budgets and building proposals, staffing and street maintenance, public works and public safety, the myriad tasks and decisions that go into managing our great city to ensure and maintain our unique quality of life.

When I became mayor I laid out some goals and priorities for the year. Now that I’m about to pass the baton to the next mayor, it’s time to look and see what progress was made against that list.

I organized that list into five broad priorities: maintain fiscal discipline, invest in our harbor and water quality, community revitalization and renewal, public safety, and public-private partnerships.

Maintain fiscal discipline

The council has held the line in the city’s budget in all spending areas, excluding previously negotiated contracts and employee agreements. The staff has been reduced (down 109 positions from 2008) but I’ve seen no loss in the quality that city residents have come to expect in their services. We have expanded the work of the Finance Committee to wrestle with the substantial unfunded pension liability that is becoming like a virus taking over our general fund spending. The unfunded amount ranges from $300 million to $500 million, depending on the rate of return realized on the investment funds managed by the state pension board. Whatever number you use, paying it down will begin to crowd out our general fund spending across the board. This issue will continue to be front burner in the new year and beyond.

Invest in our harbor and water quality

The council has directed the Harbor Commission to draft a comprehensive Harbor Financial and Infrastructure Master Plan that will combine in one planning process all maintenance, structural and other improvements needed, including sea walls, dredging and improved boating amenities and trash removal. My objective remains to bring increased visibility and financial planning to our land and water capital planning processes.

Community revitalization and renewal

There is a lot going on in West Newport! The revamped, improved and recently reopened Lido Marina Village, a collection of specialty shops bringing a “must visit and shop” excitement to our community, is already becoming an exciting regional shopping and dining destination. Another exciting new amenity is emerging after ground was broken earlier this year on the Lido House Hotel project at the former City Hall site.

The entryway to the Peninsula — Newport Boulevard from Lido to 32nd — is being transformed into a revitalized resident and visitor-serving area. Public Works has realigned the street, redesigned and planted drought-tolerant landscaping and improved traffic flow.

Further down the Peninsula, the former Balboa Village Theater has been sold to the Lab Holdings, LLC, for transformation into a 21st-century entertainment, dining and retail venue. Watch for the new Balboa Village gateway sign to be installed later this month.

Turning to Mariners’ Mile, the council recently approved a zoning change to permit commercial retail offerings on Riverside Drive on the site of the Old Post Office. This retail area is undergoing a much-needed facelift.

Public safety

The council and community welcomed new Police Chief Jon Lewis, though Lewis is hardly a stranger, having served 25 years on our police force before moving into the top job. The changeover is an opportunity to review and reevaluate all facets of the department’s operations, and this work is underway. Property crime rates in 2016 have ticked up slightly, and the department will be reporting to the community after the first of the year. It goes without saying that public safety is our No. 1 priority.

Public-private partnerships

The sale and redevelopment of the Balboa Village Theater is one example of efforts by the city to cooperate with the private sector on shared goals and projects. We have also moved to secure private support for key city cultural programs with one of the year’s highlights — the Pacific Symphony performance held on the Civic Center Green last summer. Many thanks to City National Bank and many private donations.

I’m pleased we’ve been busy this year, and the seven members of the City Council have made a lot of progress on many fronts. I want to thank all of my fellow council members for their hard work and diligence on behalf of our city.

I want to also thank Councilmen Keith Curry, Tony Petros and Ed Selich, who will be leaving the council this month, for their many years of dedicated service to the city. Newport Beach is a better place in countless ways, thanks to their ideas, energy and efforts.

Thank you also to incoming Councilmen Brad Avery, Jeff Herdman and Will O’Neill for their commitment of time and talent to carrying on the important work of the council on behalf of their fellow citizens. A big welcome to you!

I am grateful too to our professional and dedicated city staff, who take the council’s decisions and directives and make them happen for the citizens of Newport Beach.

And above all, thank you to the great people of Newport Beach for your support, suggestions, passion and caring for our jewel of a city.

Last week I held my 16th Town Hall. Once again, I was reminded of the benefit of regular conversation and listening to thoughtful insights from our residents. We may not always agree, to be sure, but I believe listening to all points of view makes for better informed decisions, and I am grateful to everyone who has shared their thoughts and opinions.

DIANE DIXON is mayor of Newport Beach.