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.

The City continues to provide important economic information to the community and to potential investors in Costa Mesa.

The Community Economic Profile provides up to date information in a variety of categories, emphasizing the City’s strategic location, strong socio-economic indicators, temperate climate, and it also provides valuable contact information for important services.

A second handout, the Costa Mesa Advantage brochure, conveys the City’s vision for Costa Mesa. These handouts help to persuade businesses to establish here, attract investment to Costa Mesa and equip residents with reliable information about their community.

Celebrating May’s National Bike Month, Costa Mesa City Council Member Allan Mansoor continues to show his passion and support for Orange County Foster Care Kids as the Ambassador of the Tour de OC Bike‐a‐Thon, which takes place this Saturday May 20.

Mansoor will join a group of dedicated volunteers who are raising awareness and raising funds to send abused and neglected foster children to a weeklong camp in the San Bernardino Mountains and provide them with a year-long mentorship program.

Join us and Council Member Allan Mansoor at the opening ceremony. The start and finish of the Tour de OC will be at Vanguard University across from the Orange County Fairgrounds on Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. Check in begins at 6:00 am.

Register now to enjoy a fun bike ride through Orange County or sponsor a rider today! http://TourdeOC.org.  Being a 100% volunteer organization, 100% of the proceeds donated will be applied to the charity.

Tour de OC’s difficult 100 mile century ride with relentless hills including Santiago Canyon, Newport Coast, Crown Valley Parkway and lots of rolling hills through south Orange County has over 4,1000 feet of vertical gain and has a five star rating according to the Bicycle Rider Directors Association of America (BRDAA).

There will also be a day long cycling expo on the Vanguard campus near the Tour de OC Start/Finish line. Hosting three rides in one day, Tour de OC offers a Family Fun 25 mile route, a 55 mile intermediate ride and a 100 mile route for the more serious cyclist described above.

All routes take riders on a scenic tour through Orange County.  Our riders are well taken care of all day from morning registration and breakfast. Full SAG support provided by The Motorcycle Amateur Radio Club (MARC), refreshments, strategically placed rest stops, goody bags, raffle and medals provided to all riders.

Make a difference to help our local foster care kids receive hope, love and year-long mentorship to help them deal with the insurmountable odds they face on a daily basis.

Sponsors include  South Coast Toyota, Rack N Road, Two Wheels, One Planet, Performance Bike, The Unlikely Cyclist, Newport Rib Company, Flightdeck, Skosh Monahan’s, The Crown Plaza, South Coast Metro Alliance, The Triangle, Simple Green, MedPost, Charlie’s Chili, Farthing Development, Pasta Connection, Surfside Sports, In & Out Burgers, The Yardhouse, Saddle Ranch, RockStar Tan and El Ranchito.

At its March 21, 2017 meeting, the City Council awarded a contract for removal and replacement of Angel’s Playground surface at Tewinkle Park.

This project is now nearing completion. Final color overlay of the playground surface was completed on Thursday May 11 and will need to cure for a period of five days. The area was cleaned on Tuesday May 16 and the fence will be removed today, Wednesday May 17.

Public Services staff will be installing a new bench, swings and other hardware after the fence is removed. The playground will be open for children by the afternoon of Wednesday May 17.

The Public Services Department is implementing traffic-calming improvements along East 19th Street between Church Street and Irvine Avenue.  The improvements include concrete curb bulb-outs, street paving and landscape/Irrigation work.

The concrete curbs on the north side of East 19th Street were completed, and the installation of irrigation sleeves at most of the intersections have been nearly completed.  The concrete sidewalks will be constructed along the north side starting Monday, May 15.  The next phase of work will include the construction of the curb bulb-outs on the south side of East 19th Street and paving. This work will start on Wednesday May 17.

In order to do this next phase of work expeditiously and safely, all eastbound traffic will be diverted via detours at Fullerton Avenue. The westbound traffic will be allowed on East 19th Street throughout this period. Traffic flow in both directions will resume after this two-week period.  Notice of this closure will be provided to all residents along East 19th Street.

Costa Mesa Television Channel 3 (CMTV 3) was recently honored by the Southern California and Nevada chapter of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (SCAN NATOA) at the 21st Annual STAR Awards with one first place and three second place awards.

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

Costa Mesa Television earned top honors in the “Public Safety” category for its production about the Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Department wild fire training. Second place awards were garnered in the categories of Overall Excellence in Government Programming Under $400,000 Operating Budget, City Services Information Video and News Story.

Costa Mesa Television has now been recognized by SCAN NATOA for excellence in local programming with 16 first place STAR Awards since 1997, including 13 in the past 11 years.

Additionally, CMTV has earned numerous second and third place honors in a variety of categories over the years.

Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) has teamed up with the City of Costa Mesa and Travel Costa Mesa to expand its public transportation service with a dedicated Costa Mesa-only line beginning June 15, 2017.

The ART Costa Mesa-only line is free to the public and will operate daily on a fixed route schedule. It will offer area businesses, employees, residents and visitors an easy and economical transportation option designed to enhance the dining, shopping and the arts experience in Costa Mesa.

“Costa Mesa is the focal point of the county when it comes to culinary, artistic and shopping experiences,” Mayor Katrina Foley said. “We are grateful for this new partnership with ART that offers those who live, work and shop here a free and convenient way to get to the hubs of creative culture and cuisine.”

ART will transport riders on 30-passenger (CNG) Compressed Natural Gas ART vehicles along South Bristol Street between the South Coast Metro area, South Coast Plaza, The LAB, The Camp, and Costa Mesa’s cultural arts centers.

“ART is designed to provide both locals and visitors with a convenient public transportation option, and the Costa Mesa-only line gives us a new opportunity to showcase this engaging destination,” said Diana Kotler, Anaheim Resort Transportation Executive Director. “Freeing people up with convenient transportation possibilities will give them more time to enjoy this area, from happy hours to shopping sprees. Connecting the dots to Orange County’s, dining, shopping and entertainment is what ART is all about.”

Additionally, the current ART Costa Mesa/South Coast Plaza (line #22) will continue to service guests traveling from Costa Mesa hotels to the Disneyland Resort and from Anaheim area hotels to South Coast Plaza. The rider cost is $5.50 for adults and $2.00 for children per day.

Connect with ART on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn or at rideart.org.

On Tuesday May 9, City Manager Tom Hatch presented the City Council with the Fiscal Year 2017-18 Preliminary Budget, which reflects the operating and capital spending plans for the General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Capital Project Funds, and Internal Service Funds.

The total preliminary budget for all funds is $155.0 million, an increase of $10.4 million, or 7.2% compared to the adopted budget for FY 16-17.

“The objectives used in developing this budget are to submit a balanced budget to the City Council; to do the best job possible of maintaining current excellent levels of service to the community; to implement City Council’s priorities as feasible; and to be prudent in our revenue estimates and cautiously optimistic overall,” City Manager Hatch said in a statement on the budget. “The City’s management team and staff have put together an operating and capital expenditure plan that addresses the City Council’s priorities while fulfilling the service requirements of the people who live, work, and play in our community.”

Click here to see the Preliminary Budget and click here for the Budget in Brief.

For those who couldn’t make the special session meeting, there will be an additional community budget meeting on May 18 at 5:30 p.m. to give members of the public time to ask staff questions about the budget. That meeting will be held in Conference Room 1A.

The council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday June 20 at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting to adopt the budget.

The City’s prior approval of a 224-unit apartment complex was dealt a legal setback Thursday after a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled the development didn’t conform with the State density bonus law.

In the case Kennedy Commission v. City of Costa Mesa, the Court reversed the City Council resolutions and ordinances that approved the apartment project, which would allow Miracle Mile Properties to redevelop the now-closed Costa Mesa Motor Inn on Harbor Boulevard.

The Court fully rejected the Kennedy Commission’s claim that the City engaged in housing discrimination.

However, the allegation by the Kennedy Commission that the City was responsible for relocation payments to previous occupants of the motel was transferred by the Court to another judge for resolution.

The City and its legal counsel are evaluating the options to resolve this matter.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is closing Red Hill Avenue from Main Street to Pullman Avenue to replace bridge joint seals, as part of an ongoing construction project beginning 9 p.m. Friday, May 12, 2017 through 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017.

This closure is part of a $9 million Embankment Stabilization project in the cities of Irvine and Costa Mesa.

Changeable Message Signs will be used to alert motorists. Travel delays may occur and motorist are advised to avoid the area, use alternate routes, and check traffic conditions before their commute.

Once complete in early 2018, the project will reinforce the underlying soil embankment, as well as construct new retaining walls to provide a safe enhancement to the local arterial surface street system.

For real time freeway traffic information, please visit the Caltrans Quickmap www.quickmap.dot.ca.gov or the Caltrans District 12 Website at www.dot.ca.gov/dist12/Red_Hill.