Newport Beach picks up awards

Newport Beach earned recognition from the Assn. of California Cities Orange County last week for its completion of a major dredging project, its public art program and its efforts to cut back on paper printing.

“I am very proud of the recognition by our peers and community leaders of the innovations underway in Newport Beach,” Mayor Keith Curry said in a statement. “The recently completed bay dredging project was done at a savings of more than $10 million through our partnership with the Port of Long Beach.”

He added, “I take personal satisfaction in the recognition of our new program to provide for ongoing arts facilities enhancements in our city.”

Newport took home one 2013 Golden Hub of Innovation Award for its Lower Newport Bay Dredging project, a $10-million joint effort between the city and several agencies, which reused a large portion of dredged material at the Port of Long Beach. It won another for its Art and Cultural Facilities program, which this year has been a top priority for the city, with increased funding.

The city received an honorable mention in the Technology/ E-Government award category for its reduction of paper waste. According to a news release, the city cut back on its number of printers, from 94 to 22, while also moving more of its filing and documentation online.

— Jill Cowan

Twitter: @jillcowan