Wednesday, September 17, 2014

OC Airport Commission Meets Tonight in Costa Mesa

Airport Commission to discuss John Wayne Airport Settlement Agreement and Environmental Impact Report
 
The Orange County Airport Commission will meet Sept. 17 to discuss the extension and amendment to the 1985 John Wayne Airport Settlement Agreement. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the Airport Commission Hearing Room at 3160 Airway Avenue, Costa Mesa.

The Airport Commission will discuss the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which includes the terms of the proposed project; alternatives; impacts such as noise, air quality, utilities and transportation; and feedback received from the public regarding the draft EIR. 

Final recommendations made by the Airport Commission will be considered by the Orange County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 30 at the Hall of Administration, 33 West Santa Ana Boulevard, Santa Ana.

For more information about the Settlement Agreement and upcoming meetings or to view the commission agenda, visit John Wayne Airport’s website at http://www.ocair.com/communityrelations/settlementagreement/.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Costa Mesa Challenges Appeals Court

Costa Mesa files amicus brief with U.S. Supreme Court on group homes ordinance

Costa Mesa and four other Southern California cities have submitted an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review an appeals court decision that declared Newport Beach’s group-homes ordinance unconstitutional.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled earlier this year that while the Newport Beach had enacted a facially neutral zoning ordinance to regulate group homes, the law was unconstitutional because of purported discriminatory statements made by individual council members and the public during its adoption.
The amicus brief states in its summary:
“The Ninth Circuit’s decision overturns decades of deference to local land use decisions that are facially-neutral and are supported by findings that evidence a rational basis for the regulation, and abrogates a city’s ability to regulate land uses where an individual legislator makes potentially improper statements that have not been recited or adopted by the legislative body as a whole. The Ninth Circuit applies a level of scrutiny reserved for racial discrimination, fundamental rights and suspect classifications to land use decisions involving sober living facilities. This heightened standard of review thwarts a city’s ability to adopt and enforce ordinances aimed at protecting public health, safety and welfare, the so-called “social or economic legislation,” and is in conflict with the rational basis standard applied in other circuits.”
In a May 6 e-mail to Costa Mesa City CEO Tom Hatch, Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff said legal experts estimated that likelihood that the Supreme Court would take up the case was 20 to 25%, and that amicus—or “friends of the court”—briefs from other institutions and individuals would help maximize those chances.
Bradbury, Claremont, Laguna Beach and San Clemente joined with Costa Mesa to file the brief.
“Briefs carry a lot of weight with the Court, and are especially valuable in demonstrating that an issue presented for review transcends the parties to the case,” Kiff wrote.
The City of Costa Mesa paid $10,000 to be one of the amici cities. You can read the amicus brief here.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

West Nile in Costa Mesa

West Nile virus update and contact information; here are precautions you can take
WestNile
Residents who encounter biting mosquitoes; dead birds; and standing water such as abandoned swimming pools, ponds, and fountains are advised to contact the Orange County Vector Control District immediately.
To contact the Orange County Vector Control District, call (714) 971-2421 or (949) 654-2421, Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Online reports can also be made on their website.
To report suspect or confirmed human cases of West Nile, contact Orange County Epidemiology at (714) 834-8180.
 
The number of West Nile virus cases is increasing, and the Orange County Vector Control District has issued a public health advisory. West Nile virus -- a blood-borne disease transmitted to humans by mosquito bite – has been found in 94 humans countywide and four in Costa Mesa as of Sept. 6. Tests in over 200 dead birds and mosquito samples have also shown positive cases of West Nile.
Approximately 80 percent of people who contract West Nile virus do not show symptoms. However, 20 percent of infections will advance to West Nile fever and may display flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, and rash.
Residents are encouraged to help reduce the number of breeding mosquitoes in the community by dumping or draining any standing water on properties. Additionally, the following precautions are recommended to protect residents and their families from being bit or creating breeding areas for mosquitoes:
  • Drain pots, unclog gutters, and keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated or drained and covered.
  • Repair door and window screens to ensure there are no holes for mosquitoes to enter through.
  • When outdoors, use an insect repellent containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin, or IR3535.
  • Avoid spending time outdoors at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
  • Report locations of biting mosquitoes; dead birds; and abandoned swimming pools, ponds, and fountains to the Vector Control District.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Costa Mesa Captures National Award

City emergency preparedness program captures national award
The City of Costa Mesa has won a national award for an extensive earthquake preparedness drill it conducted last year in a local park.
Costa Mesa’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) received an Honorable Mention Award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its Brentwood Neighborhood Exercise. The drill featured 55 trained CERT volunteers who practiced:
  • Performing search-and-rescue operations;
  • Providing medical aid;
  • Accessing damage;
  • Setting up areas for family reunification and pet rehabilitation.
Twenty-six households participated in the nearly six-hour drill.
“Our collective group of fire, police, and community CERT members is incredible,” said Fire Chief Dan Stefano. “Congratulations to all involved.”
According to recent FEMA research, nearly 70 percent of Americans have not participated in a preparedness drill or exercise, aside from a fire drill, at their workplace, school or home in the past two years.
“Strong emergency management requires teamwork, community engagement, innovation, and strong relationships at all levels before disasters occur,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate in announcing his agency’s 2014 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards. “This year, we recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify this approach, and I congratulate them on their dedication to make our nation stronger and safer.”