New in this edition: President’s message, City meeting Saturday at the Fire Station 9:00 a.m., construction update on phase 2, New updated Crime Report.

New in this edition: President’s message, City meeting Saturday at the Fire Station 9:00 a.m., construction update on phase 2, New updated Crime Report.

Lee Pearl smartpearl1@hotmail.com

NEW PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Friends and neighbors, 

In January over 200 resident completed the survey that the BIIA emailed out. There were three items that stood out as major concerns. They were street maintenance, clean sidewalks (dog waste) and traffic control during peak holidays and busy summer weekends. 

On Tuesday 3/10/26 I made a brief presentation within the 3 minute limit requirement at the Newport Beach City Council meeting. The remarks in quotation are what I presented. The final portion reflects the comments I was unable to deliver within the allotted time.

“As president of the Balboa Island Improvement Association, I am speaking on Behalf of our residents. 

Thank you for the leadership you’ve shown in bringing new businesses to Newport Beach and encouraging responsible economic growth. It’s clear you care deeply about keeping our city vibrant, competitive, and financially strong. That’s important and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

As Newport Beach has grown an effort has always been made to protect the character that makes the City special. Charm is just as important as growth and nowhere is that more evident than Balboa Island.

People don’t travel from across Southern California—and from across the country—to experience something generic. They come for the quaint streets, the walkability, and the neighborly feel. They come to stroll Marine Avenue, greet shopkeepers, enjoy a frozen banana on the boardwalk, and feel like they’ve stepped into a simpler time.

Balboa Island isn’t just a commercial district. It’s a living piece of Newport Beach history and our homes. 

We recently conducted a resident survey. The results were clear—and probably not surprising to anyone who has driven across the Island lately.

The number one concern is maintenance and repairs, specifically of our streets. Dog waste, our longtime “champion,” is no longer number one—but it still holds  a solid  Number two. And close behind that is traffic control, beginning at Thanksgiving and continuing through the whole month of December, our residents experience gridlock both coming home and leaving the Island.  Summer weekends can be just as bad. 

Residents are asking for the basics:

Safe streets, clean sidewalks, and the ability to get home without gridlock.

As you continue encouraging new development and attracting business investment, we respectfully ask that you also protect the qualities that make our city unique—especially on Balboa Island.

When we maintain the character of places like Balboa Island, we protect the very thing that draws people here in the first place.

Newport Beach’s brand isn’t corporate “sameness”. It’s “coastal elegance”, walkable neighborhoods, and local shopkeepers who know your name.

Balboa Island is one of the clearest expressions of that identity.

Property owners have invested almost Fifty Million dollars in new alleys and beautifying the Island by undergrounding the utilities. This benefits the City of Newport Beach by increasing property value and enhancing the experience of those who come here to visit.

Today, we encourage you to continue fostering economic growth—but also to intentionally protect our history and character. Let Balboa Island remain quaint by providing the basic services required to keep our sidewalks clean, deal with gridlock and maintain our streets. Let it remain the kind of place where a visitor feels like they’ve discovered something special.

Once that character is lost, it cannot be rebuilt. 

Growth is important—but so is protecting what makes Balboa Island special. That’s what keeps Newport Beach an exceptional place to live, shop, dine, and visit.”

There was more to be said to our leaders…..

During peak weekends, holidays, and now much of December due to increased tourism, the Balboa Island Bridge often becomes almost gridlocked. With only one easy access point, the bridge becomes a bottleneck where residents, visitors, and service vehicles all compete for the same narrow route.

This congestion is more than an inconvenience—it is a public safety concern. When the bridge is backed up, police and fire response times can be significantly delayed. In a medical emergency or structure fire, those delays can have serious consequences, particularly when the Island’s fire engine is already off-island responding to another call.

Off-site parking during peak periods has long been identified as one of the practical solutions. The concept of a parking structure at the nearby Bayside shopping center was introduced by our City Council representative Noah Blom five year ago. Nearby locations such as Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, with its large parking capacity, or other nearby properties could help reduce the number of vehicles crossing the bridge at the same time. 

Addressing this issue would improve visitor management, improve quality of life for residents, and most importantly help ensure that emergency vehicles can respond in a reasonable time when lives depend on it.

SUMMARY

All of the stated concerns of our residents are not new. Residents are simply asking for the basic services necessary to maintain our streets, keep sidewalks clean, and manage traffic so that our community remains viable.

Balboa Island is one of the most visited destinations in Newport Beach and a place that helps define the city’s identity for both Newport Beach residents and visitors. As one of the oldest villages in Newport Beach, preserving its charm, character, and livability should be a point of civic pride. The challenges we face are manageable, and the solutions are within reach with the City’s leadership and commitment, we can ensure that Balboa Island continues to thrive for residents, visitors, and future generations.

Susan Pearl, President, Balboa Island Improvement Association

suepkid@hotmail.com

TOMORROW MORNING AT THE FIRE STATION CERT, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH & CITY UPDATES

(Fire Station Meeting – City Hosted, Not a General Meeting)

A Neighborhood Watch and CERT presentation will be held on March 14 at 9:00 a.m. at the Fire Station. Get your favorite police question answered at this meeting.

Topics will include:

• E-bikes
• Island safety
• Residential camera registration
• Crime report and prevention

CERT will cover how to become a volunteer, the importance of CERT during a real emergency, how to get involved, and the upcoming class schedule.

For information, contact: Kristine Taft — ktaft1018@yahoo.com

BALBOA ISLAND MUSEUM NEWS

Please join our Museum at Home | Balboa Island Museum.

CONCERT IN THE CHURCH

March 24
Chamber Music, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Tickets: BIIA.org

For information:
Penny Rodheim — penny@boats4rent.com

SECURITY CAMERA REGISTRY

Lee’s Message

Good response from many of you and thanks. If you have an outdoor security camera system, please register with the Newport Beach Police Department’s Security Camera Registry to help your friends and neighbors in the event of a crime on the Island. We have successfully solved crimes using existing camera systems, and the new cameras at Park and Marine have added coverage at another major intersection.

I hope we can get 50 more Island homes and businesses registered just from this email.

Residential property registration:
https://www.nbpd.org/what-we-do/services/security-camera-registration

Commercial properties:
connectnb@nbpd.org

City of Newport Beach Message

NBPD has launched Connect Newport Beach (powered by Axon Fusus), a voluntary camera registration and integration program that allows residents to work more closely with law enforcement.

Important points:

• Registration does not give NBPD direct access to your cameras.
• It simply lets NBPD know you have a camera and provides a way to contact you if footage may be helpful in an investigation.
• Participation is completely voluntary.
• Registration is free and takes approximately 60 seconds.
• No account or password is required.

Commercial properties may contact: connectnb@nbpd.org

BALBOA ISLAND PARADE

WE NEED SPONSORS, The 31st Annual Balboa Island Parade will be held on Sunday, May 31 at 11:00 a.m. This year’s theme: “Good Vibrations on Balboa Island.”

The parade begins at the Balboa Island Bridge and continues down Marine Avenue. Join us for the after-party concert with surf tunes and dancing immediately following the parade in front of the Fire Station.

Wear your beach attire, bring your beach chairs, and join us for a fun-filled day!

Participants may register online at biia.org beginning March 1. Click “Events,” then “Parade.” You may also pick up entry forms at Irvine Ranch Market and Wilma’s. Registration closes May 16.

To sponsor or volunteer, visit biia.org. Questions Co-chairs Jack Callahan or Gail Vasterling . gailvasterling@sbcglobal.net

URGENT: GARAGE SPACE NEEDED FOR CERT EQUIPMENT

We are seeking a small, accessible storage space on the Island for our Balboa Island CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) equipment.

CERT volunteers are trained to respond during major emergencies — earthquakes, fires, flooding, or prolonged power outages — until outside help arrives. Their ability to respond quickly depends on having immediate access to radios, fire extinguishers, and other essential equipment.

The equipment must be stored between Coral and the Grand Canal on the east end of the Island.

If you can help, please reach out.

CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER UPDATES

SIGNS WILL BE POSTED SOON! Golf cart parking in front of the Village Inn and the candy store on Balboa Avenue will soon be posted as two-hour parking only. No more “for sale” carts, overnight parking, or palm readers operating from golf carts. This change was approved at the last City Council meeting and supported by the BIIA, the Merchants Association, and the Little Balboa Island Property Owners Association.

Underground Utility Project

NEW and hot off the press from the City staff helping coordinate our project.

The utility undergrounding in Phase 2 is wrapping up, PAR is pulling wires for SCE and I hope to begin residential conversion (the Overhead to Underground process) for Phase 2 soon. Regarding Phase 2, the 4 alleys east of Onyx Ave (200 and 300 blocks) will have sooner deadlines than the rest of Phase 2, so plan to hire an electrical contractor soon if applicable, per the residential conversion letter that you’ll receive from me.

The attached map shows how Phase 1 has been divided into 4 areas and the yellow area is Phase 2. The properties in Areas 1 and 2 of Phase 1 have almost all hired an electrical contractor if applicable and the conversion work is progressing very slowly. Property owners in Area 3 who have not hired electrical contractors have recently received reminder letters from me.

Thank you for your patience and support. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Anna Luz Baldenegro, P.E.
Associate Civil Engineer
Public Works Department
abaldenegro@newportbeachca.gov

Major construction has been completed.

Remaining work includes:

• Connecting homes according to the City’s schedule
• Utility companies pulling cable through conduit
• Installing transformers in underground vaults throughout the Island
• street repairs and alley replacement

A street repair and alley replacement schedule is being prepared.

If you hear a “clunk” when driving over an Edison cover in your alley, the bolts may be loose or missing. There should be no loud noise when driving over them. Please report street or alley issues to the City of Newport Beach or email msinacori@newportbeachca.gov so they can be addressed promptly.

Lee Pearl

CITY NEWS

(From the Newport Beach Police Department Neighborhood Watch Meeting, forwarded by Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Kristine Taft)

NEW Crimes Reported on Balboa Island

CRIME INCIDENTS FOR OUR AREA

• 2/15/2026 500 BLK BAY FRONT S, COUNTERFEITING/FORGERY
• 2/8/2026 300 BLK MARINE AVE , OTHER THEFT/LARCENY
• 2/11/2026 200 BLK GRAND CANAL, OTHER THEFT/LARCENY
• 2/16/2026 500 BLK BAY FRONT S, OTHER THEFT/LARCENY
• 2/4/2026 300 BLK SAPPHIRE AVE , VANDALISM
• 2/6/2026 200 BLK MARINE AVE, VANDALISM

E-BIKE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION UPDATE

I just wanted to provide an update on the new e-bike Municipal Codes and how enforcement is going. I mentioned last month that we would do some targeted enforcement operations as these codes were going into effect. On February 24th, we conducted one of those operations around the schools – specifically Newport Harbor High School & Ensign Intermediate. We had nine motor officers and two patrol units who were doing both enforcement and education. Here’s what the enforcement activity looked like:

46 e-bike stops 37 administration citations for the new NBMC violations 14 CA Vehicle Code violations 12 warning citation 3 e-bikes impounded

2 felony pursuits involving electric motorcycles, which led to the arrest of two juveniles for felony evasion and the e-motorcycles being impounded for 30 days. NBPD will continue to enforce these codes as part of our normal daily operations.

BIKE RODEO On the topic of bike/e-bike safety, NBPD is partnering with City Recreation Services to host a Bike Rodeo next month! We’re inviting families to roll into a fun-filled and educational Bike Rodeo designed to promote bicycle safety and healthy living in the community.

The event will feature interactive safety stations where children can practice bike-handling skills, learn the rules of the road, and receive important safety tips from officers. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bicycles and helmets to take part in the obstacle course and skills challenges.

Community partners and vendors will be on site, including local bike shops offering safety inspections and information on proper bike/helmet fit and maintenance. Representatives from Hoag will also be present to provide health and wellness resources for families.

Date: April 18 – Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Newport Elementary School – 1327 W. Balboa Blvd. The Bike Rodeo is free and open to the public.

SPRING BREAK – SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ZONES UPDATES

The City Council recently approved amendments to the municipal codes that address the Safety Enhancement Zones. Two main things to note regarding these changes:

Expanding when the Safety Enhancement Zone is in effect. The time periods and dates for 2026 are:

Spring Break Period 1 – 12:01 a.m. on March 14 through 11:59 p.m. on March 22. Spring Break Period 2 – 12:01 a.m. on April 4 through 11:59 p.m. on April 12. Memorial Day Holiday – 12:01 a.m. on May 22 through 11:59 p.m. on May 25. Fourth of July Holiday – 12:01 a.m. on July 3 through 11:59 p.m. on July 6. Labor Day Holiday – 12:01 a.m. on September 5 through 11:59 p.m. on September 7.

Fines in the Safety Enhancement Zones during the time periods specified above are tripled for any violation of the NBMC, or where the violation is considered an infraction and no fine is specified, the fine shall be as follows:

A fine not exceeding $300 for a first violation.

A fine not exceeding $600 for a second violation of the same ordinance within one year.

A fine not exceeding $1,000 for each additional violation of the same ordinance within one year.

Additional details about the Safety Enhancement Zones and other information about key city ordinances the police department enforces in response to noise complaints and large parties (often common concerns that arise over Spring Break) is available

OTHER HAPPENINGS

• March 14, 12:00–3:00 p.m. — St. Patrick’s “Dress Up Your Dog” (sponsored by Balboa Island Social and Lifestyle Group & event located at Barker’s Dog Boutique on Marine Ave.) Contact: Sandy Keedy — sandykeedy@gmail.com(not BIIA sponsored)
• Next BIIA Meeting — March 31, 6:30 p.m., Beek Center
• Islandwide Garage Sale — April 11 (not BIIA-sponsored)
• Next General Meeting — First or second Saturday of April (date to be announced)

 Online Membership Payments – BIIA.org

Membership levels

• Diamond level $1,000: Entitled to – 2 Holiday Home Tour tickets – 2 tickets for a classical concert – 1 House Flag – 2 window decals
• Ruby Level $500: Entitled to – 2 Holiday Home Tour ticket – 1 House Flag – 2 window decals
• Sapphire level $250: Entitled to – 1 House Flag – 2 window decals
• Jade level $150: Entitled to 2 window decals
• Crystal level $100: Entitled to 2 window decals

Payment Instructions:
Mail checks to P.O. Box 64 Newport Beach CA 92662 OR WEB PAYMENT
B.I.I.A. | Membership
After submitting the required information a receipt will automatically be emailed to you.
After clicking on your preferred donation amount above, you will be re-directed to the payment page.
It is very important to fill out all of the fields completely so we get your address to send out letters & decals.

QUESTIONS SUEPKID@HOTMAIL.COM
– THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! –