Newport council to consider easing ‘blackball’ rules, moving farmers market
A Newport Beach City Council study session Tuesday will include discussion about easing “blackball” rules along parts of the city’s beaches.
The Blackball Working Group, made up of city commissioners, fire and police officials and staff members, has been working for two years on alterations to the surfing regulations in an attempt to improve safety and access for all surfers at two popular spots, West Newport and the Wedge.
When a yellow flag with a large black circle is flying on the beach, hardboard surfers are not permitted in the water. The idea is to divide ocean time among hardboard surfers and bodysurfers – those who surf without boards – to help prevent injuries.
“The dynamic between hardboard surfers and the remainder of the ocean user community can be challenging, as each perspective seeks more time in the ocean in a safe environment,” a city staff report states.
In April, the city Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission voted to recommend that the City Council reduce blackball hours between 40th and 44th streets to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. An ordinance passed in the 1980s banned flotation devices in that area at all hours from May 1 to Oct. 31, disappointing many board surfers.
The commission also recommended that the council give lifeguards the authority to implement blackball during large surf or when crowds of swimmers are present.
The commission did not recommend reducing blackball hours at the Wedge, where no boards are allowed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1 through Oct. 31. However, the commission did recommend that the council shorten the linear distance where a flotation device cannot be used.
“This frees up cylinders (west of the Wedge) for hardboard surfing on more occasions,” City Manager Dave Kiff wrote in an email.
The council will discuss the commission’s recommendations Tuesday but will not vote on final rules until a later meeting.
The study session will begin at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive.
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Farmers market may move to Balboa Peninsula
The farmers market that has operated for more than four years at Lido Marina Village could be moving to a spot near the Newport Pier in the fall.
The City Council will weigh a proposal during its regular meeting Tuesday night to move the Sprouts of Promise market to McFadden Square near the base of the Newport Pier on the Balboa Peninsula, according to a city staff report.
The market, which offers fresh vegetables, fruit and other goods, hasn’t operated since November because of construction at the Lido Marina Village shopping center. The center, which has been plagued by vacancies in the past several years, has been undergoing renovations in an attempt to lure businesses and shoppers back to the area.
City staff also has been looking at ways to revitalize McFadden Square, which led to the idea of moving the market, according to the report.
“Relocation of the farmers market to the McFadden Square is expected to draw both residents and visitors,” the report states.
If the move is approved by the council, the market will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday for five years, beginning Sept. 13. No more than 40 vendors at a time would be permitted.
Sprouts of Promise would pay the city $3,600 per year in rent for the space, according to city documents.
The council’s regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m.