Costa Mesa Helping Citizens with Rain

In anticipation of rain storms predicted to hit this week, the City of Costa Mesa is making free sandbags available to residents and putting emergency crews on standby to deal with any flooding, downed trees, inoperable traffic lights or other weather-related issues.

"We don't anticipate any major problems, but we want to be ready just in case," City CEO Tom Hatch said.

Crews from the city's Public Services Department have also cleared out the catch basins of storm drains to reduce any potential flooding.

Costa Mesa residents can fill up to 15 sandbags for free (shovels provided) at the Placentia Fire Station at 2300 Placentia Ave.

$6 Mil Budget Surplus for Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa finishes 2013-14 fiscal year with at least a $6 million budget surplus

Costa Mesa’s General Fund finished the 2013-14 fiscal year with at least a $6 million surplus, according to the city’s preliminary audited numbers.

The surplus—which represents 5.5% of the General Fund budget—was achieved through a combination of higher-than-expected revenues and disciplined spending and financial management, allowing the city to finish in the black for the fourth consecutive year. Over the past four fiscal years, the city’s budget surpluses have added up to $19.4 million ($6 million for 2013-14; $7.1 million for 2012-13; $2.5 million for 2011-12; and $3.8 million for 2010-11).

“We are pleased to deliver to taxpayers another significant surplus,” said the City’s Chief Executive Officer Tom Hatch. “We look forward to discussing with the City Council and community how to incorporate the surplus into our future financial planning.”

Final audited numbers will be available in November when the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is completed.

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/.

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.

West Nile in Costa Mesa

West Nile virus update and contact information; here are precautions you can take

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.

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.”

Costa Mesa & Marine Wives Need Your Help

Wanted: A few, good formal dresses for wives of city's adopted Marines

The City of Costa Mesa and the Costa Mesa Military Affairs team are seeking donations of new or lightly used prom dresses, ball gowns, cocktail dresses and accessories for the spouses of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5), the infantry battalion that the city has adopted.

The dresses will be wore at the annual Marine Ball, which will take place in November and celebrates the anniversary of the Marines Corps' founding.

The collection point for the dresses will be the footlocker in the lobby of City Hall at 77 Fair Drive. Donations will be accepted now through Sept. 18. 

For further information, please contact Dan Baker at (714) 754-5156.

Costa Mesa Active in Reducing Flooding, Improving Water Quality

Work underway on major underground catch basin to reduce flooding, improve water quality

 

The City of Costa Mesa is digging a big hole for itself in Lions Park.
It’s part of a $4.7 million project that will reduce flooding on the Westside during rain storms and improve water quality at local beaches.
The current storm drain system, constructed decades ago, is significantly undersized to meet the volume of surface water produced during heavy rains. The drainage project—which includes a large underground catch basin between the Downtown Community Center and the Costa Mesa Historical Society—will increase the capacity of the entire storm drain system by 20% and will substantially reduce flooding in the area.
A parallel storm drain system is also being built on Anaheim Avenue between Plumer Street and 18th Street.
In addition, the new drainage system will eliminate accumulated surface pollutants that are washed into the storm drains and flow unfiltered to the Pacific Ocean.

The project is being funded by a $2.8-million grant from the Orange County Transportation Authority. The city is matching the grant funds with drainage fees and in-kind services performed by the Engineering Division staff. Construction is expected to be completed by November.

Costa Mesa Street Improvements Continue

East 17th Street improvements taking place through October

Expect lane closures during business hours between Santa Ana and Irvine avenues

 

Construction is underway to beautify and improve traffic flow on a two-block segment of East 17th Street. The project—expected to be completed in mid-October—will add decorative crosswalks and sidewalks, streetlights, medians, and parkway trees between Santa Ana and Irvine avenues. Right-turn lanes at the intersection of East 17th Street and Tustin Avenue will also be installed, resulting in decreased traffic congestion.
One-lane closures in each direction are in effect during construction hours, and all lanes are open during peak commuter morning and afternoon hours.

Major improvements to East 17th Street began in 2006 when the city enhanced the area between Orange and Santa Ana avenues, which has led to significant commercial renovation along that portion of the street.

“East 17th Street is a frequently utilized thoroughfare, and one of our city’s showcases for retail businesses and restaurants,” City Chief Executive Officer Tom Hatch said. “These enhancements will increase the visibility and accessibility of Eastside businesses, as well as improve traffic circulation and overall quality of life for our residents.”

Public Services Department staff successfully acquired a $500,000 Federal Transportation Enhancement Activities grant to fund a majority of the project’s estimated $776,995 cost. The balance will be funded through Air Quality Management District funds, and City Traffic Impact Fees.

Costa Mesa Continues Measure M Opposition

City of Costa Mesa continues to oppose use of Measure M funds for 405 Freeway toll lanes

For the past several years, the City of Costa Mesa has strongly opposed any attempt to fund toll lanes on the 405 Freeway with the use of Measure M revenues.

However, Caltrans officials recently proposed to add toll lanes to a 14-mile stretch of the San Diego Freeway in Orange County (from the Los Angeles County line to the 73 Freeway), ignoring opposition from Costa Mesa, seven neighboring cities along the 405 Corridor and the Orange County Transportation Authority.

The Caltrans plan would use approximately $1.3 billion in Measure M revenues to build the toll lanes. In 1990 and again in 2006, Orange County residents approved a half-percent county sales tax to fund local transportation improvements such as widening freeways, expanding bridges, building interchanges and improving intersections.

On Aug. 5, staff will ask the Costa Mesa City Council to pass a resolution confirming the city’s opposition to the use of Measure M funds in building toll lanes on the 405 Freeway without voter approval.

Costa Mesa Wins for Financial Reporting

City of Costa Mesa wins top award for financial reporting

The City of Costa Mesa has recently been awarded the highest award for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).

The Government Finance Officers Assn. of the United States and Canada awarded Costa Mesa the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

In addition, Asst. Finance Director Colleen O'Donoghue received an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement for being primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning financial report.

According to a statement by the association, Costa Mesa's annual financial report "has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR."

"Congratulations to our finance department for this high honor," City CEO Tom Hatch said. "This award is another demonstration of the city's commitment to transparency and citizen engagement."

City of Costa Mesa Earns Award for Saving Tax-Payer Dollars

Costa Mesa captures top award for its "Costa Mesa Minute" show

 

The City of Costa Mesa earned a “Golden Hub of Innovation” award for the “Costa Mesa Minute” daily news and information video last week from the Assn. of California Cities – Orange County.
The Golden Hub of Innovation awards honor local agencies that successfully implement the programs and policies that save tax-payer dollars and improve services for residents. Local and regional governments submitted nearly 60 applications in nine different categories.

Costa Mesa captured first place in the Technology and E-Government category.

“Local governments are the laboratories of innovation,” said Lacy Kelly, CEO of the Assn. of California Cities – Orange County. “We are proud to honor these leaders, whose innovations are saving taxpayer dollars and creating efficiencies in government.”

The Costa Mesa Minute is a daily video designed to give Costa Mesa residents city-related news and information in a high-quality, entertaining and easily digestible format.

The content focuses heavily in government news, including previews of upcoming public meetings, traffic delays, details of city-sponsored events and has a special focus on schools, youth sports, arts and nonprofits.

The program airs weekdays and is available on the City’s website and all city social media platforms resulting in increased transparency, information sharing, and public engagement. The show is produced by Dane Bora, Brad Long and Bill Lobdell.

“We are proud that this Costa Mesa innovation has been recognized as a the best new technology and e-government initiative for the past year in all of Orange County,” City CEO Tom Hatch said.

Costa Mesa TV Channel Wins 4 Awards

CMTV 3 wins four awards for broadcasting excellence

Costa Mesa Television Channel 3 (CMTV 3) was honored last week by the Southern California and Nevada chapter of the National Assn. of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors at the 18th Annual STAR Awards with one first place, two second place and one third place awards.

Established in 1997, the STAR Awards recognize outstanding programs produced by public, educational, and/or government access facilities serving California and Nevada communities.

CMTV 3, the City of Costa Mesa’s television station, earned top honors in the “Promo” category for its “Costa Mesa, My Sweet Home” music video production (click here to watch). The lip-dub video features 215 residents lip-syncing the words to “Costa Mesa, My Sweet Home,” a song by local musician Dan Krikorian. The 3-minute, 45-second video was shot at 47 locales around Costa Mesa.

CMTV 3 received second place awards in the categories of “Talk Show” and “Magazine Show,” and third place for “Overall Excellence in Government Programming Under $400,000 Operating Budget.” “City Talk,” a previous 4-time winner of Best Talk Show, and “The Community Report,” CMTV’s longest running show, received the second place awards.

“We are very pleased to be recognized for our work,” said Dane Bora, the city’s video production coordinator. “Every year the quality of programs receiving STAR Awards continues to impress, so it is exciting that our work was recognized for these awards.”

CMTV 3 has now been recognized by association for excellence in local programming with 14 first place STAR Awards since 1997, including eleven in the past nine years. Additionally, CMTV 3 has earned numerous second and third place honors in a variety of categories over the years.

Mandles Candles for Men, Manly Men

Happy Father's Day.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX

Still 2 months to go. What will I do til' then?

Costa Mesa Promotes Nick Cerciello to Fire Captain

Nick Cerciello promoted to fire captain

 

Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano has recently promoted Nick Cerciello to the position of fire captain.

Cerciello joined the Costa Mesa Fire Department in 2006, after holding positions with Ventura County Fire Department, Orange County Fire Authority and Tustin Federal Fire Department.
"Nick has demonstrated sound leadership qualities, relevant technical competencies and a strong commitment to professional development," Chief Stefano said. “We look forward to the many contributions Nick will bring to the organization in his new role.”

Photo caption: Captain Nick Cerciello (third from left) is welcomed on his first day assigned to Station No. 2 by (from left)  Battalion Chiefs Tim Vasin and Fred Seguin and Fire Chief Dan Stefano.

OCTA Recommends $1.7 Mil Grant for Costa Mesa

$1.7 million grant proposed for multipurpose trail, bioswale along Arlington Drive

 

A Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) committee has recommended awarding $1.7 million to Costa Mesa to build a one-mile-long multipurpose trail and environmentally friendly bioswale along Arlington Drive.
The recommendation will go to the OCTA Board of Directors on April 14 for final approval.
The project—ranked No.1 out of 16 applications—will remove 70,000 square feet of asphalt to construct a decomposed granite trail and a landscaped, natural drainage area that will collect urban runoff and naturally filter the water as it trickles down to the water basin under Costa Mesa.

The bioswale will be used in lieu of curbs, gutters and storm drain pipes, which will reduce the long-term costs associated with storm water management facilities.

The funding will be proposed for Fiscal Year 2014-15. Once the budget is adopted, the project's design phase will begin. Construction would be expected to begin in late 2015.

The estimated cost of the project is $2.6 million. Match grant funding will be proposed from in-kind staff serves and drainage fee revenue equaling $910,000.

Costa Mesa Hosts SoCal Emergency Response Workshop

Costa Mesa hosts first multi-agency Community Emergency Response Team workshop

Posted Date: 3/13/2014

 

Costa Mesa recently hosted the inaugural Southern California Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Workshop to connect, coordinate and train CERT instructors and program managers and to create more resilient communities.

More than 100 CERT programs throughout California were represented at the daylong event that was coordinated by Brenda Emrick, the Costa Mesa Fire Department's community education and CERT program manager.

Training courses included advanced programs, instructor development and crisis communications. As the host city, Costa Mesa was assisted by its own CERT program volunteers—Dottie Garrett, Bobbie Bradley and Cindy Brenneman—who helped organize and register the nearly 160 participants.
The event was sponsored by CaliforniaVolunteers, a state office that manages programs and initiatives aimed at increasing the number of Californians engaged in service and volunteering.
CERT educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
(Pictured in photo from left: Mike Staley, CaliforniaVolunteers; Chad Fitzgerald, State Workgroup Co-Chair, Clovis Fire Department; Wilson Lee, State Workgroup Co-Chair, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano; and  Brenda Emrick, Costa Mesa CERT coordinator.)

 

CERT workshop volunteers (from left): Brenda Emrick, Dottie Garrett, Bobbie Bradley, Cindy Brenneman, Erica Arteseros (San Francisco CERT program manager), and Carol Parker (Menlo Park Fire District CERT program manager).

Costa Mesa's Fire Explorer Graduates

13 graduate from Costa Mesa Fire Explorers program

 

Thirteen Costa Mesa Fire Explorers recently passed a 100-question written exam and a skills test to graduate from a two-month-long program designed to give young men and women, ages 16 to 21, an introduction to a career as a firefighter.
The graduates were Emmanuel "Franky" Bello, Evan Bruski, Justin Day, Luke Fragale, Santiago Herrera, Cody LaTendresse, Thai Lawrence, Thien Nguyen, Jack Reilly, Jordan Robinson, Jonathan Rosales, Rey Soria and Juan Tapia.
The Class of 2014—which met on seven consecutive Saturdays beginning in January—learned a wide variety of skills from Costa Mesa firefighters, including basic medical aid, hose and hydrant operations, throwing and climbing ladders, how to use breathing apparatus and hand and power tools, and fire station etiquette.
“There are a number of impressive Explorer programs available throughout California,” Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano said. “But there is no question that the Costa Mesa Explorer Program offers the highest quality of instruction, leadership, and mentoring.”

Fire Capt. Rob Gagne oversees the Costa Mesa Fire Explorer program, which is part of the Boy Scouts of America.

“All of the instructors are firefighters who were previously explorers at one time or another,” Gagne said. “Having been in their shoes, we knew what it would take to motivate them and keep their interest to where they would want to succeed.”

Applications for the Class of 2015 will be accepted in the fall. Those interested in the program—which costs $25 to join and about $250 for uniforms and books—can e-mail Gagne at rob.gagne@costamesaca.gov to get on an interest list or via the Costa Mesa Firefighters website (www.cmfd.com) for more information.

Costa Mesa's Alley Repaving Ahead of Schedule

Alley repaving project expected to be finished two years ahead of schedule.

 

The Costa Mesa Public Services Department is on track to finish the rehabilitation of the city’s worst alleys two years ahead of schedule.
In 2012, the City Council set a goal of fixing 6.1 miles of alleys rated “very poor” by 2019. Over the past two fiscal years, the council approved nearly $3 million to rehabilitate 2.2 miles of alleys. An additional $1.2 million in alley funding has been proposed for the fiscal year 2014-15 budget, which would allow work to be completed on 1.13 miles of alleys.

If progress continues at this rate, the city’s most problematic alleys will have been rehabilitated by the end of 2017.

“To rehabilitate 6.1 miles of alleys in five years will be a significant achievement,” said Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz. “We will continue to work hard to make this happen for our residents and those in the business community.”

The alley initiative has been paid for by capital outlay funds, gas tax funds, and Community Development Block Grant funds.

(Below: Before and after photos of alley behind Fullerton Avenue.)
 

 

Costa Mesa's Preserve Our Neighborhoods Task Force

Mayor announces appointments to Preserve Our Neighborhoods Task Force Mayor Jim Righeimer announced this week the first seven appointments to his newly formed Preserve Our Neighborhoods Task Force, a group that will explore ways to lessen the negative impacts of group homes on Costa Mesa residential communities. The task force members are Jeremy Broderick, Kerry McCarthy, Scott McClane, Joe McGreevy, Lisa Morlan, Tim Sesler and Larry Weichman. “The city is committed to spending the resources needed to maintain the character of our Costa Mesa neighborhoods and their safety,” Mayor Righeimer said. “The City Council recently passed a nuisance ordinance that will help curb bad behavior in our neighborhoods, and we are looking to the task force to come up with other solutions that keep the integrity of our neighborhoods without discriminating against any group.” The task force will convene for the first time within the next few weeks and establish a regular meeting schedule.

Renew Your Costa Mesa Biz License Online

Costa Mesa business owners can now renew their business licenses online through the city’s website.

The new service, which began Monday, March 3rd allows those who already have business licenses to make their annual renewal online (www.costamesaca.gov/license). Business owners with expiring licenses only need their account number and PIN, which can be found on their renewal statement. They can also opt to have future renewal notices sent by e-mail.

The city expects to provide a similar online service by June for those applying for new business licenses.

Costa Mesa Needs Committee Volunteers

Volunteers sought for Finance Advisory, Fairview Park committees

The Costa Mesa City Council is seeking volunteers to serve on two committees: the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee and the Finance Advisory Committee. Appointees will be filling the vacancies left by David Stiller, a community leader who recently passed away and served on those two committees.

Volunteers interested in serving on any of the committees need to complete a committee application form that is available on the city’s website (www.costamesaca.gov/application) or from the City Clerk’s Office. The application can be submitted online, mailed to Costa Mesa City Clerk, P.O. Box 1200, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92628-1200 or hand-delivered to the City Clerk’s Office at 77 Fair Drive. The application deadline is 5 p.m., Monday, March 31, 2014. Appointments are scheduled to be made at the April 15, 2014 City Council meeting. For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (714) 754-5225 or cityclerk@costamesaca.gov.

The following provides more information on each committee:

Finance Advisory Committee

This committee provides advice to the City Council regarding events and issues that may affect the financial status of the city, including the review of short- and long-range financial planning and funding, financial documents and statements, and the city’s investment portfolio to ensure compliance with the approved investment policy. The committee has one regular-member vacancy. For more information, please contact the Finance Department at (714) 754-5243 or via e-mail (kathy.ulrich@costamesaca.gov).

Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee
This committee evaluates the Fairview Park Master Plan relative to community needs and makes Master Plan update recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council for the addition, reduction, elimination, or modification of park users and master planned elements. The committee has one regular-member vacancy. For more information please contact Alfa Lopez at 714-754-5024 or via e-mail (alfa.lopez@costamesaca.gov).

Costa Mesa to Discuss $6.8 mil in Street Repairs with Community

Community meeting set for March 25 to discuss record $6.8 million in street repairs

 

The City of Costa Mesa has scheduled a community meeting on March 25 to inform residents and members of the business community about a record $6.8 million in street repairs that will occur within the next year.
At the meeting, city staff will review the scope of the project, the proposed schedule and anticipated traffic impacts from work that will result in 3.4-million square feet of streets to be repaved, along with 127,000 square feet of sidewalks and driveways, and 36,000 linear feet of curb and gutter repairs.

The work in North and Westside Costa Mesa is scheduled to begin in April and last nine months. (Click here for a map detailing where the roadwork will take place. One of the five areas is shown above.)

The street repairs come on the heels of major rehabilitation projects in Mesa Verde, Eastside Costa Mesa and the John Wayne Airport business community. Funding for this project was provided by gas tax, Measure M and General Funds.

The meeting on the North and Westside Costa Mesa street work will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 77 Fair Drive. For more information, call the city’s Construction Hotline at (714) 754-5029 or email Streetproject@costamesaca.gov.

Costa Mesa Promotes Water Conservation

City acquires grants to promote water conservation.

 

The City of Costa Mesa’s Public Services Department recently acquired two grants to replace grass with drought-tolerant materials along medians of Harbor Boulevard and in Brentwood Park.

The city received $88,763 from the Municipal Water District of Orange County as part of an incentive program to reduce irrigation runoff, increase water efficiency and provide cost savings to property owners.

The city will use the grants to remove grass from the medians along Harbor Boulevard as part of the Harbor Boulevard Beautification Project and replace turf with mulch and native ground cover as part of the Brentwood Park Development Project.

“We are continuing to take significant steps toward water conservation and efficient use of this precious resource. Many measures have already been implemented, but much more remains to be done,” said Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz.

The Municipal Water District of Orange County’s Turf Removal Program gives homeowners and commercial property owners $1 per square foot of irrigated turf removed under the condition that the turf is replaced with mulch, decomposed granite, rock or drought-tolerant ground cover.

Costa Mesa Receives $1mil Grant for Bike Trail

City receives $1 million grant for Westside bike trail

 

The City of Costa Mesa has been awarded a $1 million grant to design and construct a bicycle trail connecting West 19th Street to the Santa Ana River trail system.

The trail will run along West 19th Street beginning at Placentia Avenue and run through Talbert Regional Park before connecting to the bike path that runs along the Santa Ana River. 

Construction funding will be proposed in the Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget with construction expected to begin in early 2016. The trail's estimated cost is $1.7 million. The remaining matching funds will be sought from capital improvement and Air Quality Management District funds.

"This project will provide a convenient bicycle and pedestrian trail connection to the beach and Pacific Coast Highway from Westside Costa Mesa," said Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz. "In addition, the trail will serve as a convenient connection to employment areas in north Costa Mesa via the Santa Ana River Trail."

The grant came from federal Congestion Management & Air Quality funds awarded through Bicycle Corridor Improvement Program by Orange County Transportation Authority.

Can't Wait: Godzilla - Official Main Trailer [HD]

Costa Mesa Prepares for Rain Storm

City prepares for winter rain storm

In anticipation of a major rain storm predicted to hit Friday, the City of Costa Mesa is making free sandbags available to residents and putting emergency crews on standby to deal with any flooding, downed trees, inoperable traffic lights or other weather-related issues.

"We don't anticipate any major problems, but we want to be ready just in case," City CEO Tom Hatch said.

The city's Public Services Department will have crews clear out the catch basins of storm drains Wednesday and Thursday, and schedule emergency personnel to be on standby Friday and Saturday. The Costa Mesa Fire Department will have an additional four firefighters on duty Friday and Saturday.

Costa Mesa residents can fill up to 15 sandbags for free (shovels provided) at the Placentia Fire Station at 2300 Placentia Ave.

Prestigious Award for the City of Costa Mesa

City receives prestigious national budget award

The City of Costa Mesa recently received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Assn. (GFOA) for its 2012-13 fiscal year budget document.

The award—the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting—recognized that Costa Mesa’s budget document excelled as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device.

 “This distinguished honor represents the hard work and dedication of our City staff in striving for transparency by creating a budget document that seeks to enhance understanding,” stated City CEO Tom Hatch. “The budget is the most important policy decision that the City Council makes each year and this award represents our effort to encourage public participation.”

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving over 17,800 government finance professionals throughout the United States and Canada.

Costa Mesa Launches Smartphone App

The City of Costa Mesa launched a smartphone application on 2/11/14 called Costa Mesa Connect, a civic engagement tool that allows residents to conveniently access city services.

With Costa Mesa Connect, residents can submit, track and view nearby requests for services such as graffiti removal and pothole repairs through the smartphone app, the City’s website (www.costamesaca.gov/connect) or text messages. The free application is available in the Apple app store and Google Play. Type “Costa Mesa Connect” in the search engine of the app store.

When residents submit service requests via smartphones, the app automatically alerts City staff to the precise location of the problem. Residents also have the option of using their smartphone camera to upload a photo to better assist staff.

“This technological innovation harnesses the power of smartphones to allow residents to better engage with their city government,” said City CEO Tom Hatch. “We are excited for residents to see how easy it is to use and get results.”

To help the City reach out to all residents, the application features One Voice Translation to support over 17 languages. When a resident submits a request in another language, the request is automatically translated into English for city staff. Any subsequent updates on the request are automatically translated back into the resident’s preferred language.

App also provides access to Costa Mesa news, calendar listings, public meeting agendas and more.

The City launched the app in partnership with PublicStuff, which has developed similar apps for more than 200 cities.

Costa Mesa Workers' Comp Medical Costs Down 44%

City drives down workers' compensation medical costs by 44% through reforms

Workers' compensation medical costs for Costa Mesa
Year	Cost	Savings
FY 09/10	$1,753,178
FY 10/11	$1,613,542	8.0%
FY 11/12	$1,243,425	22.9%
FY 12/13	$980,661	21.1%

 

A comprehensive program enacted over the past three years to reduce workers’ compensation medical costs in the City of Costa Mesa has resulted in annual savings of approximately $772,000.

The 44% reduction since 2009-10 fiscal year are the result of 14 recommendations that came from workers’ compensation review that was completed in 2011 at the direction of the City Council. The recommendations focused on improvements in processing claims, technology and data tracking, and training and education.

Since then, the Human Resources Division has implemented each recommendation.

“This is local government at its best,” said City CEO Tom Hatch. “We are now operating a more efficient workers’ compensation program for our employees and saving money for taxpayers. The City Council's vision to complete the review and the Human Resources Division's efforts to implement the recommendations has led to this significant, hard-earned achievement.”

As part of the reforms, the City now:

• Retained a new third-party administrator for the workers’ compensation program.
• Handles minor medical injuries as first-aid incidents, when appropriate, to prevent them from becoming workers compensation claims. 
• Brings back, when possible, injured employees on modified or light-duty assignments to keep them engaged and productive.
• Uses nurse triage services, which allow employees and supervisors to call an injury hotline staffed with registered nurses when an injury occurs. The registered nurse who handles the call provides immediate direction to the injured employee as to the best course of medical action. The nurse also reports the injury to Human Resources immediately after phone call.
• Uses a nurse as a liaison between the injured worker and the City who also accompanies injured workers to doctor appointments. This improves efficiency of care and has proven a valuable in returning employees to work more quickly.