Assistant City Manager Tammy Letourneau presented Public Services maintenance worker Howard Sadomoto with the City Manager Leadership Award for July at the monthly Meet and Greet employee event on Thursday July 26.

“Howard has always been someone you can depend on to get the job done with professionalism and courtesy,” Letourneau said. “He is a great example for all employees to follow and has been since he first became a member of the City family.”

Sadamoto began his career at the City of Costa Mesa in 1996 as a part-time maintenance assistant and later worked as a part-time custodian for Parks & Community Services. This position was later absorbed by the maintenance department in 2001, and at that time Sadamoto was promoted to full-time status.

Prior to joining the City of Costa Mesa, Sadamoto was employed as a middle school teacher, a Brink’s armored transport guard, a steam line plant worker, a Los Angeles Department of Water & Power worker and a health inspector for Los Angeles County, where he inspected restaurants and markets for compliance.

Sadamoto is as avid sports fan and enjoys watching the Lakers, Dodgers and UCLA Basketball. He has been a UCLA basketball season ticket holder since 1980 and has not missed a home game since the 1980 season.

Sadamoto, who grew up in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, has a bachelor’s degree in biology from USC.

In addition to honoring Sadamoto, Letourneau celebrated several new employees, newly promoted employees and one employee who is retiring.

Kiera Pascua is a new intern in the Development Services Department. In Finance, Cassandra Burkhart is the new Executive Secretary, Jackqueline Nguyen is a new Accounting Specialist I and Kelly Telford is the Finance Director. In the Parks & Community Services Department,

Katie Hernandez, Kelly Hughes, Sergio Lugo and Kalani Lopez are all new Recreation Leaders II and Kristina Roche is the new Sr. Lifeguard.

In the Police Department, Katharine Pancescu is a new Police Records Technician and Jeffrey Vaughn a Property/Evidence Specialist, and in the Parks & Community Services, Victor Castillo and Yesennia Villa were promoted to Instructor Guard and Annie Sumioka to Recreation Specialist.

Finally, Letourneau congratulated Assistant Finance Director Colleen O’Donoghue on her upcoming retirement. O’Donoghue has had a 33-year career in accounting, 14 and half of those with the City of Costa Mesa. Letourneau thanked O’Donoghue for delaying her retirement by several months to help out in Finance as it was short on personnel.

Public Services recently teamed up with Organics Alive LLC, Athletic Field Specialists, Non-Toxic Irvine and Non-Toxic Costa Mesa for a year-long pilot program and study on the use of organic fertilizers and materials only at the Luke Davis Sports Field.

The program officially started on Thursday, July 12 and relies solely on organic materials including brewed, beneficial microbial rich solutions, humic acids and worm castings.

The team will inspect, photograph and monitor the site throughout the year taking soil samples on a regular basis to document the microbial activity in the soil as well as gauge the overall success of the program with regards to aesthetics, playability and health of the turf and soil.

This pilot program follows the city’s effort since 2014 to evaluate the effectiveness of organic materials for weed control in addition to an ongoing review of its and other local agencies’ cultural maintenance practices, including mowing heights and plant and shrub trimming standards, to ensure current practices were appropriate to maintain plant health and decrease the need for synthetic pesticides.

Since that time and following the success of the effort, the application of synthetic weed control material in passive parks and sports fields with mixed turf was eliminated. Additionally, the use of glyphosate in parks citywide has been eliminated.

The city has replaced the use of glyphosate with organic materials. The City has also significantly increased the use of mulch to naturally prevent invasive weeds in planters and tree wells. The city more than doubled the amount of mulch used in FY 2017-18.

This pilot program will be used to further evaluate the use of organic materials and maintenance practices throughout the City of Costa Mesa.

With mosquito season in full swing, the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District has launched a “Make Your Home Mosquito-Free” media campaign, providing messages and recommendations on social media, PSAs and billboards for residents to declare their independence from mosquitoes all summer long.

Vector Control reminds the public that aside from being a nuisance, mosquitoes can cause sickness and death through the diseases they can carry, including Zika and West Nile virus. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, California leads the nation in mosquito-borne disease cases since 2004 with more than 9,000 mosquito-transmitted disease cases reported.

There is currently only one confirmed mosquito sample with West Nile virus in Orange County this year (Garden Grove), and there is also confirmed West Nile virus activity in San Bernardino County, however, no human cases reported.

There are, however, confirmed cases of West Nile virus in neighboring Los Angeles and Riverside counties.

Click here for information on how to make your home mosquito free.

The 128th annual OC Fair continues its run through Aug. 12. and Friday July 20 is Costa Mesa Day at the fair.

While several cities share a “day,” fair officials have designated one entire day solely for the City of Costa Mesa.

That day, residents, business and civic leaders are invited to come to the fair, sing the National Anthem and take part in a flag-raising ceremony, which begins at 12:30.

The OC Fair offers residents a $2 discount admission coupon, which are available at City Hall.

Click here for more information on this year’s OC Fair.

The City of Costa Mesa has reached an agreement to settle lengthy disputes over development of the Costa Mesa Motor Inn site and challenges to the city’s motel ordinance.

The Los Angeles Superior Court entered a judgment last week that allows development on the Motor Inn site of a new apartment project with up to 200 units, including nine units reserved for very low-income tenants for the next 55 years.

The settlement agreement effectively ends three lawsuits, two filed in 2014 challenging a city ordinance that regulates long-term stays at motels, and one objecting to the City Council’s 2015 land use approvals for the owner-applicant to develop a 224-unit project on the Motor Inn site.

“I am pleased we can put this behind us, get rid of a closed, dilapidated motel that has become an eyesore and attractive nuisance along Harbor Boulevard, and importantly reach a beneficial settlement for the litigants and the community,” Mayor Sandy Genis said. “I’m glad a mutual settlement was achieved in a way that makes available some financial assistance to former Motor Inn residents and adds more affordable housing in our city with nine very low-income units to be part of the new development.”

Mayor Genis also thanked Council Members John Stephens and Jim Righeimer for their hard work on the settlement.

Under this settlement agreement, Miracle Mile Properties, the owner of the land and owner/operator of the closed Motor Inn at 2277 Harbor Blvd., agreed to reduce the number of apartments to 200, of which nine will be affordable to very low-income families or individuals under a 55-year restrictive covenant.

The total amount paid in settlement of the litigation is $2,325,000, of which the city is paying $1,362,500. The total settlement amount includes $1.4 million to plaintiff’s lawyers, $250,000 to individuals and $50,000 to the Costa Mesa Motel Residents Association.

The settlement agreement also calls for $600,000 to be deposited into a Motor Inn Fund, of which $300,000 will come from the City of Costa Mesa, to be set aside for financial assistance to former long-term occupants of the Motor Inn. Payments from the fund will be handled by a claims administrator hired by the plaintiffs’ attorneys up to $25,000.

The City of Costa Mesa’s Housing Authority currently owns and operates eight small apartment complexes with 30 units of affordable housing on West 18th and James Streets. Under this settlement and within the next 90 days, the city through its Housing Authority will solicit proposals from experienced affordable housing developers for continued operation of these properties as long-term affordable housing for another 55 years.

In addition, by this settlement the City Council will evaluate the ordinance regulating long-term occupants at local motels; and, when the State of California ultimately allows development of the acreage at the Fairview Developmental Center, the city will promote affordable housing to be part of new housing developments at that site.

With the settlement agreement and judgment in place, Miracle Mile intends to proceed with the demolition of the Motor Inn and construction of the new apartment development at the site.

The City of Costa Mesa is pleased to announce that Jennifer King, a former Revenue Supervisor for the city, has been hired as the new Assistant Finance Director effective Monday July 16.

King was employed with the city of Costa Mesa for two and a half years before taking the position of Finance Administrator for the City of Irvine.

“We are very pleased to welcome Jennifer back to the City of Costa Mesa,” Finance Director Kelly Telford said. “Her previous experience with the city and her expertise in accounting and financial reporting will be of great benefit to the Finance Department and the city overall.”

In her new role, King will assist the direction, planning and evaluation of the Finance Department and will have oversight of the city’s accounting and treasury functions. Some of her many duties will include supervision of staff as well as maintaining the general ledger, account reconciliations, annual financial and compliance audits, payroll, accounts payable and receivable and serving as Acting Finance Director when designated.

“I am honored to rejoin the Costa Mesa team,” King said. “When I served the city from 2014 to 2016, I had firsthand experience of the staff’s dedication and drive to provide excellent services to residents and businesses. I look forward to working with such a great group again.”

While in the City of Irvine, King managed the city’s treasury functions, maintained and enforced revenue policies and tax ordinances and participated in the city annual budget development process.

Before arriving in Costa Mesa in 2014, King spent two years as a senior accountant for the City of San Juan Capistrano, where she managed the general ledger, accounts payable and payroll and prepared various financial statements and reports.

A certified public accountant, King worked for five years in public accounting before taking a career in municipal government.

King holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baruch College, City University of New York.

The next General Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Costa Mesa voters will elect three residents to serve a four-year term on the City Council, one each from Districts 3, 4, and 5. Also, this is the first time Costa Mesa voters will directly elect a Mayor to serve a two-year term.

The nomination period for candidacy opens at 8 a.m. Monday, July 16, and closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 10.

Candidates are encouraged to make an appointment with the City Clerk to review all documents. Appointments will be scheduled during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Candidates may also make an appointment to speak to members of city staff to ask questions about city operations and administration. Click here for a City Services Directory.

For further information, please contact the Costa Mesa City Clerk’s office at (714) 754-5225 or visit at 77 Fair Drive, 1st Floor of City Hall.

Click here for more information.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has just created a Sober Living Home Investigation and Prosecution Team, giving residents the opportunity to report a problem sober living home, addiction and treatment or recovery center incident.

Click here for more or to report a problem.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) Sober Living-Home Investigation and Prosecution team (SLIP) investigates reports of criminal and civil violations related to rehab industry.

In conjunction with its regulatory, administrative, and law enforcement partners, the OCDA gathers reports, investigates incidents, refers cases to partner agencies and prosecutes cases criminally or civilly when appropriate.

Residents who feel they have been the victim of or have information regarding possible criminal or civil misconduct by or surrounding a rehab or treatment center can click here to download a form and return it via email to Rick.Bradley@da.ocgov.com or call the District Attorney’s 24 hour SLIP TIP line at 714-647-3228.

Costa Mesa Mayor Sandy Genis presented longtime Freedom Committee member Scott Williams with the Mayor’s Award at the June 19 City Council meeting.

Williams is a retired first lieutenant in the US Army and Vietnam veteran and an active volunteer in Costa Mesa and Orange County on the Freedom Committee of Orange County.

“For your years of service to this community, your extraordinary leadership, and your passion for sharing stories of military service to the youth of Orange County, it is my honor and privilege to present you with the Mayor’s Award,” Mayor Genis said.

Members of the Freedom Committee share their personal stories of service to more than 10,000 students and community members a year.

“We want veterans to continue to give back to the community,” Williams said. “That’s what we do by telling our stories and hoping that those who hear our stories pick up the character traits like responsibility, teamwork and getting there first.”

City Manager Tom Hatch presented Public Services Office Specialist Karla Gonzalez with the City Manager Leadership Award at the monthly Meet and Greet on Thursday June 21.

“Karla exemplifies the customer service that we expect from our city staff and she sets the example for all of us,” City Manager Hatch said. “I know her co-workers in the Public Services Department appreciate her positive attitude and I am grateful to have her on our team.”

Gonzalez joined the Costa Mesa’s Public Services team in December 2016 as an Office Specialist.

Her responsibilities are centered in providing excellent customer service to the public who visit Public Services. She assists in the permit process related to construction projects and private developments. Her daily interaction with contractors provided valuable input that was later used in the creation of the new waste hauling system.

Additionally, Gonzalez has mastered the Department’s inspection procedures and serves as a liaison between contractors and City inspectors. She has built a good relationship with her fellow coworkers and her versatility, willingness to learn and hands-on approach allows her to adapt to the different areas in the department.

In her two and a half years with Costa Mesa, Gonzalez has worked with every Division in Public Services. She has provided support in Construction Management, the Corporation Yard, Engineering Design and she helps Transportation with resident parking permits.

Gonzalez graduated from Cal State University Long Beach in 2015 with a dual-degree in Psychology and Consumer Affairs. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Finance from Cal State Fullerton.

In addition to honoring Gonzalez, City Manager Hatch welcome Steve Winter, a Plan Checker in Economic and Development Services and in the Parks & Community Services Department

Nathan Adkins and Clarissa Lopez, both  new Recreation Leader II and Eulalia Weed a Recreation Leader I.

In the Police Department, new Communication Officers Madison Munguia and Darlene Serrano were recognized as well as the Fire Department’s Andrew Harris who was promoted to Fire Captain.

The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) submitted a supplemental memo today to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to oppose the Orange County Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP).

On May 1, 2018, CMPD sent a response to CDPH expressing concern about OCNEP’s application to operate a needle exchange in the City of Costa Mesa. As a follow-up, today, June 21, 2018, a supplemental memo of opposition was sent to CDPH, citing analysis and expressed community and CMPD concerns about OCNEP.

“We thought it was imperative to explain our chief concerns and risks to public health and safety should OCNEP operate in Costa Mesa,” said Capt. Bryan Glass. “We oppose the needle exchange program as proposed to the California Department of Public Health in the interest of protecting the community.”

The CDPH is currently accepting public comments on the needle exchange program application by email, SEPApplication@cdph.ca.gov, through June 25, 2018.

Click here to read the full memo, titled “OCNEP Supplemental Information Memo,”  which is available at www.costamesaca.gov/police, by selecting Police Information on the homepage.

The City of Costa Mesa is pleased to announce that Kelly Telford, a 15-year veteran of municipal government finance with experience in accounting, budgeting and operations management, has been named as the city’s Finance Department Director.

Telford, a certified public accountant, is currently the Director of Financial Management for the Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles and she has worked in the public accounting firm industry consulting for state and local governments her entire career.

“We are very pleased to have found someone like Kelly to manage the city’s finances,” City Manager Tom Hatch said. “Her knowledge of budgeting at the local government level and her ability to handle large municipal budgets makes her a perfect fit for our Finance Department. We look forward to her joining the Costa Mesa team.”

In Costa Mesa, Telford will lead city’s 23-member finance team, overseeing Treasury Management, Accounting, Budget Research and Purchasing.

“I am honored for the opportunity to serve the city of Costa Mesa and am excited to become a part of the dynamic and innovative team,” Telford said. “I look forward to working with such talent in serving and keeping the city of Costa Mesa among the most desirable cities in the region.”

As the Director of Financial Management for the Los Angeles County’s Community Development Commission, Telford was a member of the Executive Management Team and managed general ledger functions, payroll, accounts receivable/payable, grant accounting and reporting and housing accounting.

She prepared the agency’s $450 million budget and provided financial forecasts of the impacts of labor negotiations and pension liabilities.

Prior to working for the commission, she spent 13 years working as a manager and senior manager at two large public accounting firms, where she developed several new financial management programs and systems and provided consultation to state and local governments on internal audits and special projects.

Telford has a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and business administration from Cal State University Fullerton. She is a certified public accountant and a member of the Government Finance Officers Association. She will begin her career in the City of Costa Mesa on Monday June 25, 2018.