Every 10 years, the City has the opportunity to provide updated address and map data to the U.S. Census Bureau in preparation for the decennial U.S. Census.

The draft data for the 2020 Census will be distributed to planning staff for review.

The Local Update of Census Addresses, or LUCA, is the only opportunity offered to review and comment for our jurisdiction prior to the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau relies on a complete and accurate address list to reach every living quarters and associated population for inclusion in the census.

Since accurate address count is essential to ensure an accurate census count for Costa Mesa; city staff will be diligent to provide updated data. The data will be provided in form of Customized Geographic Information System (GIS) software, which will be easy to update and minimize inaccuracies.

Actively participating in the Census and providing accurate information is important since the Census count is the base for all population estimates for the next 10 years. The count determines the apportionment of political representation, and determines the distribution of federal and state dollars.

At a recent Energy Partnership meeting, the City of Costa Mesa received its award for reaching Silver Status within the partnership.

The Partnership, formed in 2010, currently consists of the cities of Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach, Westminster, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, and Irvine.

Staff representatives meet monthly to discuss long-range energy efficiency goals and projects that are relevant to each city.  Costa Mesa recently completed the direct install program sponsored by Southern California Edison.

The program allowed for all City facilities, with the exception of the City Hall campus, to receive lighting upgrades at no cost, thus saving Costa Mesa approximately $60,000 in onetime general fund expenditures.

Assistant to the City Manager Dan Baker is the liaison to this committee and is always interested in projects that seek energy efficiency.

Assistant City Manager Rick Francis has accepted a new role with John Wayne Airport as the Assistant Airport Director.

Francis joined the City of Costa Mesa in 2012, as part of the City’s executive management team. While much of his responsibilities include working closely with City Council and Department Directors, Francis has most notably led the city’s efforts in finding solutions for homeless issue, working closely with the residential and business communities and the city’s Network for Homeless Solutions.

Prior to joining the City of Costa Mesa, Francis worked for the County of Orange in a number of capacities.  As Chief of Staff to Second District Supervisor John Moorlach, Francis was responsible for working with the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive Office and various County departments.  Importantly, he advised Supervisor Moorlach on JWA-related matters including the Settlement Agreement, budget and infrastructure development – including the construction of Terminal C.  Before joining Supervisor Moorlach’s office, Francis spent 13 years at the Probation Department where he was responsible for oversight of the Program Support and Research Division.

Francis holds a Bachelor’s degree in religion from Vanguard University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from American Public University.  He is also a graduate of the County’s Leadership Academy and Enlightened Leadership programs.  He has broad ties to the community including membership in the Association of California Cities-Orange County Homelessness Task Force and the Mental Health Services Act Steering Committee.

The fields that the Los Angeles Chargers football team will use for Summer 2017 Training Camp are undergoing final preparation before lush sod can be laid at the site.

Phase I construction included extensive grounds preparation as a means to support the highest quality sports turf available.  The Chargers will be releasing an official Summer Training Camp schedule soon.

The camp, which will be free and open to the public for viewing is scheduled to begin in late July.

Veteran city planner Barry C. Curtis will become the new Economic and Development Services Director for the City of Costa Mesa beginning in July.

“We are extremely happy to welcome Barry Curtis to our Costa Mesa team,” City Manager Tom Hatch said. “His broad-ranging experience in planning and development services will be a great asset to our City Council, city staff and the business and residential community. We look forward to working with him in the months and years to come.”

Curtis has been a professional planner for 29 years and most recently served as the Manager of Planning Services for the City of Irvine’s Community Development Department. During his tenure with Irvine he has managed and completed many of that city’s large projects and was the Redevelopment/Community Development Project Leader for the Great Park and he also held the titles of Principal and Senior Planner.

“As a lifelong resident of Orange County, I’m excited by the challenge and opportunity to bring nearly 30 years of local planning experience to my new role with the City of Costa Mesa,” Curtis said. “I look forward to working with the City’s highly-regarded, professional staff, decision-makers and residents to implement the goals of a vibrant, world-class city.”

Prior to working in Irvine, Curtis served as an Associate Planner for the City of Seal Beach where he provided support to boards and commissions, performed daily oversight of the city’s plan review process, assisted building officials and administered the city’s CDBG and Code Enforcement programs.

Curtis is well-acquainted with the regional and local issues facing Costa Mesa and has extensive experience in local governance, staff management and development, public participation, conflict management and redevelopment.

Curtis will officially begin his tenure with the City of Costa Mesa on July 5, 2017. He will report to City Manager Hatch.

Recently more than 20 active gardeners from the Del Mar and Hamilton Community Gardens volunteered their time to clean-up the community garden common areas.

These regularly scheduled opportunities allow the gardeners to share tips and form relationships while sharing their passion for gardening

Mayor Katrina Foley officially accepted a $50,000 check last week from the Los Angeles Chargers that will go toward reviving the city’s Mobile Recreation Program and help pay for a new vehicle.

“We’re thrilled to receive this generous donation to the city,” Mayor Foley said. “The Chargers investment in this program is further proof of owner Dean Spanos’ vow to be partners with us and have his organization immerse itself in the Costa Mesa community. We look forward to many more great things to come.”

The Chargers announced in January that the team would be moving to Los Angeles and then subsequently announced that the team would move its headquarters to the Hive office complex in Costa Mesa.

In March, the team agreed to enter into a 10-year use agreement with the city to practice at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex during the NFL team’s Summer Training Camp. As part of this training camp agreement, the team will provide Costa Mesa with $150,000 a year to use the site for a potential $1.5 million over 10 years and also offered to give the $50,000 to be used for the Mobile Recreation Program.

The Public Services Department recently finished grinding of old deteriorated pavement and installation of new pavement on Bear Street between I-405 and the City limits north of Sunflower Avenue.

Prior to the paving operations, various concrete improvements including sidewalk, curb/gutter and wheel chair ramps were reconstructed. Traffic signal loops, final striping and adjustment of utilities will be completed over the next few days. The Bear Street project was approve by the City Council on Jan. 17, 2017, as part of a larger project that includes Bristol Street rehabilitation and median improvement project.

This project is funded by federal grant and Measure M2 revenues.

City Manager Tom Hatch named Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Pierce the winner of the May City Manager Leadership Award at the monthly Meet and Greet this Thursday May 25.

“Under Jeff’s supervision, service levels increased in every area of Public Services,” City Manager Hatch said. “That equates to more potholes filled, more catch basins cleaned, more sidewalks ground, more signs installed and more debris removed from the public right of way, making Costa Mesa a safer and more aesthetically pleasing environment for residents and businesses. I want to thank Jeff for his dedication to our residents and the community.”

Pierce joined the City of Costa Mesa as a part time general aide in 2006 and became a a full-time maintenance worker in January 2007. His hard work and dedication resulted in a promotion to Senior Maintenance Worker in May 2009. As a Senior Maintenance Worker Jeff proved to be a team leader and was an integral part of many projects including the creation and installation of the blue and white street names signs and the downtown area custom signs. His affinity for sign design, attention to detail and creativity made him a perfect fit to be promoted to the position of Sign Technician in July 2010. His work as the City Sign Technician can literally be seen on every street corner.

He was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor in May of 2015.

In addition to honoring Pierce, City Manager Hatch welcomed several new employees to the city, including Anthony Nocerino as a new Video Production Aide for the City Manager’s Office, Brontee Stevens, permit processing specialist for Development Services and Christian Valle, recreation leader II in Parks & Community Services.

Also honored were Jenette Martinez, a communications officer with the Police Department and Luis Martinez Mendez, an intern with Public Services.

Five of the 12 new Fire Department recruits were also honored. The recruits are Lucas Anderson, Shant Bartemian, Craig Bates, Kyle Brosamer, Matthew Chavez, Jordan Kiesz, Thomas Foskarino, Maurilio Torres, Angel Ordaz, Kyle Myszka, Bryan McMahon and Nicholas Nihiser.

Hatch also recognized two recent promotions in the Parks & Community Services Department. Laura Gomez has been promoted to Office Specialist and Edgar Rosales to Recreation Specialist.

The Costa Mesa Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety request  bicycle riders and motorists alike to be cautious during May’s National Bicycle Safety Month, and every other month during the year.

For riders and drivers, “Roll Model” means actively decreasing the risks of traffic crashes, preventable injuries and deaths. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  reports that 818 bicyclists died and over 45,000 were injured in crashes in 2015, with deaths rising over 12% from 2014’s numbers.

Over the 10-year period from 2006 to 2015, the average age of cyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes increased from 41 to 45. Alcohol involvement – either for the motor vehicle operator or for the cyclist – was reported in 37% of all fatal cyclist crashes in 2015.

Costa Mesa police officers conducted a specialized Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Tuesday May 23, 2017, in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra officers patrolled areas frequented by bicyclists and where bicycle crashes occur.

California has the Move Over Law to share the road requiring motorist to pass bike riders with at least a 3-foot cushion. Support community efforts in your community, be involved in bicycle safety, whether while riding a bike, or driving a vehicle. Officers will focus on violations observed by both motorist and cyclist.

CMPD reminds everyone – Be A Roll Model:

• Ride and Drive Focused – Never ride or drive distracted.
• Ride and Drive Prepared – Always expect the unexpected.
• Safety First – Always wear a bicycle helmet when on a bicycle and a seat belt when in a vehicle.
• Know the Rules of the Road – A bicyclist is considered a vehicle on the road with all the rights and responsibilities of motorized traffic.
• Share the Road – Both motorist and bicyclist should look out for each other and show mutual respect.

For more information on Bicycle Safety Month click here.

The Costa Mesa City Council is currently seeking residents to serve on the following city committees:

Access Building, Fire and Housing Board of Appeal: This committee advises on matters pertaining to building construction. The board meets and hears appeals on an as-needed basis. It has five (5) regular member vacancies and two (2) alternate member vacancies, all for four-year terms. Minimum qualifications include: Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, Fire Protection Engineers, Electrical/Mechanical Engineers, Architects, Certified Access Specialists (CASp), and related state or federal licensed professionals, such as Fire Marshals.  Residents or individuals that conduct business within the City are encouraged to apply.  For further information, please contact Interim Building Official Ron Beehler at (714) 754-5604.

Historical Preservation Committee: This committee, which meets monthly, serves to maintain, preserve, educate and promote the city’s historical resources. It has one (1) regular member vacancy and two (2) alternate member vacancies, all for one-year terms. For further information, please contact Recreation Supervisor Ashley Ocasio at (714) 754-5052.

Housing & Public Service Grants Committee: This committee, which meets on an as-needed basis, helps to promote community understanding of the community development process and activities funded by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD), and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). It has two (2) regular member vacancies and one (1) alternate member vacancy, all for one-year terms. For further information, please contact CDBG Consultant Mike Linares at (714) 754-5678.

Traffic Impact Fee Ad Hoc Committee: This committee, which meets on an as-needed basis, assists staff on all aspects related to the updating and revision of traffic impact fees. It has four (4) vacancies, all for four-year terms: two at-large positions representing Costa Mesa residents, one representing major developers, and one representing small developers. For further information, please contact Public Services Director Raja Sethuraman at (714) 754-5343.

Fairview Park Steering Committee: This newly created committee will meet bi-monthly and provide advice to the City Council regarding the implementation of the Fairview Park Master plan and impacts of Measure AA on Capital Improvement Program projects, maintenance and activities.  It has seven (7) regular member vacancies and two (2) alternate member vacancies, each serving staggered four-year terms. For further information, please contact City Engineer Bart Mejia at (714) 754-5291.

Application Process – Residents who are interested in getting involved in local government are encouraged to complete a Committee Application Form from the City Clerk’s Office or from the City’s website (www.costamesaca.gov/apply).  The completed application may be submitted online; mailed to Costa Mesa City Clerk at Post Office Box 1200, Costa Mesa, California, 92628-1200; faxed to (714) 754-4942; emailed to cityclerk@costamesaca.gov; or hand-delivered to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.  The deadline is 5 p.m., June 7, 2017.  Appointments are tentatively scheduled for the June 20, 2017 City Council meeting.

Mayor Katrina Foley and City Manager Tom Hatch recently attended a meeting at the OC Fair & Event Center to learn about some of the changes coming to this year’s event as well as details about the City Day at the fair.

The 2017 OC Fair runs July 14 – August 13 (Wednesday-Sunday).

City Day for Costa Mesa will take place on Friday July 21. The event, which will begin atwill include a raising of the Costa Mesa city flag as well as a performance of the National Anthem.

The theme of the 127th Fair is “Farm Fresh Fun,” and is a tribute to agriculture in the county. There are several new offerings including new weekend hours. Hours of operation are Wednesday-Friday: Noon – Midnight and Saturday-Sunday: 11 a.m. – Midnight. The Fair is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Pricing has also changed. Click here for more information on pricing and admission.

There will also be a new ride at the fair called “Endeavor,” as well as full-contact jousting, an olive oil competition, a mini-van demolition derby and an e-sports tournament.

Also new at the fair this year is the Heroes Hall veterans museum and the Pacific Symphony will have its summer concert series at the Pacific Amphitheatre.