City Hall Snapshot
July 10, 2018
A rundown of what's happening in and around Costa Mesa as city leaders work to solve issues and create a welcoming and thriving environment for residents and business owners alike.
City Manager's Office
It's time for the OC Fair to start its 128th run
The OC Fair starts this Friday so time to bring on the excitement, food and rides.

This year's theme is "Free Your Inner Farmer" and fairgoers are encouraged to wave their hats and if they wear overalls they get in free until 3 p.m. on Thursdays.

The 128th annual OC Fair opens July 13 and runs through Aug. 12. Pacific Amphitheatre will launch the Toyota Summer Concert Series with several pre-Fair shows starting July 7.

Monday July 16 is the start of the candidate filing period for the city's historic 2018 elections
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 from Districts 3, 4, and 5. Also, this is the first year Costa Mesa voters will elect a Mayor directly to serve a two-year term.

The nomination period for candidacy opens at 8 a.m. a.m. this 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 thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Candidates may also make appointments 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.

Heating and air conditioning maintenance prompts school district to close Davis School gate during fair
Newport-Mesa School District staff is conducting Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning maintenance at Davis School this summer.

Because of that, those residents living on or near Presidio Drive in the Mesa Del Mar neighborhood will not be able to use the school's gate to get to the OC Fair.

The Davis School fence will be locked and residents who want to attend the fair will need to access it through TeWinkle Park. 

Due the the HVAC and safety fencing projects occurring over the summer, the Davis school fence will remain locked throughout the fair.
Ethics Quote of the Week
"This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in."

- Theodore Roosevelt
Police 
Police crackdown on illegal fireworks yields results
The Police Department once again fielded a deployment to monitor illegal firework use and directed enforcement personnel between July 2 through July 4. This was the largest deployment of sworn personnel on July 4 in several years. 

In addition, between June 30 and July 3, CMPD Explorers teamed up with Fire Department CERT personnel to walk “hot spot” neighborhoods and pass out door hangers advising of the “zero tolerance” stance on illegal fireworks. These hot spot neighborhoods were identified based on the previous year’s illegal fireworks calls for service. 

On July 4 alone, officers issued approximately 40 citations for fireworks violations, citywide. In all, it was a safe holiday and some residents have reported hearing and seeing a decrease in illegal firework activity this year. 

The Police Department will be compiling a report detailing the City’s overall efforts during the July 4 holiday period.
Fire & Rescue 
Fire teams spread the word on 'Zero Tolerance'
Costa Mesa Fire Explorers, Fire Corps, and CERT member crews hit the pavement prior to the Fourth of July Holiday in an effort to get the word out regarding the city's “Zero Tolerance” for the use of illegal fireworks.

Fliers were handed out and door hangers placed in areas where fireworks use is prevalent.

 

 

 
Costa Mesa crews dispatched to help battle wildfires
With the extreme heat, the threat of wildfire increases. Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue Engine 82 and Battalion 10 were deployed to Camp Pendleton and the Valley Fire respectively.

Crews are working hard to assist in the suppression efforts.
Firefighters and Honor Guard join in memorial for slain Long Beach fire captain Dave Rosa
Several members from Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue, including our Honor Guard, attended the Memorial Services of Capt. Dave Rosa who died in the line of duty.

Capt. Rosa worked for Long Beach Fire Department and was shot while responding to a structure fire at a senior living facility.
Public Services
Public Services completes pipe screen installations citywide to reduce trash from stormwater runoff
Public Services recently completed the installation of 142 Connector Pipe Screens (CPS) in catch basins throughout the City.

This project was initiated after successfully competing for grant funding in the summer of 2017 through Orange County Transportation Authority’s Environmental Cleanup Program.

Each pipe unit was fabricated onsite and custom-built to the dimensions and characteristics of the drainage basin. This project achieves the capture and removal of trash and debris from stormwater runoff, reduces pollutant discharge from the city’s storm drain system, and improves receiving water quality.

Staff selected the locations based on anticipated trash loads and tributary land uses to achieve maximum trash capture. 
Public Services starts construction of Irvine Avenue
The City of Newport Beach recently awarded the construction of Irvine Avenue Improvements, from 16th Street to Santiago Drive, to R.J. Nobel Company.

This project is a joint venture between the Cities of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, as both cities share portions of the street with a majority being in Newport Beach’s jurisdiction. 

Therefore, the City of Newport Beach took the lead role in design and construction phases of the project with support from Costa Mesa Public Services staff. The construction is anticipated to start on Monday, July 9, and continue through October of 2018, with work on the southern segment (south of Highland Drive /20th Street) to be completed by early September.

The project consists of rehabilitation of deteriorated roadway pavement, removal and reconstruction of damaged curb, gutter and sidewalk; and upgrades to wheelchair access ramps in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
City’s Japanese Garden receives Ueki style trimming
On Sunday, July 8, 2018, approximately 12 volunteers from the UEKI Art Tree Trimming Club of America trimmed the bonsai trees in the City’s Japanese garden at the north end of City Hall (located near the Council Chambers).

The non-profit club provides this service annually to the City to keep the tradition of Japanese Ueki trimming alive and educate the community. Ueki (planted trees) style is a Japanese arboriculture process of trimming and shaping in-ground landscape trees into beautiful works of art.
Parks & Community Services
Downtown Aquatic Center hosted annual Luau
On what seemed the hottest day of the year so far, the Downtown Aquatic Center opened its doors to the public for their annual Luau event.

Approximately 200 guests came to join in on the free fun. Guests danced to Hawaiian themed music, played oversized board games, got their face painted, enjoyed light refreshments, and cooled off in the pool throughout the night.

Mahalo to everyone who joined us and aloha until next year! 
Mini explorers get a bubbling science lesson
Camp Mini Explorers are having some fun with science.

City staff showed participants how to make mini bubbling volcanos with lemons, baking soda, and food coloring.
City Staff attends animal evacuation shelter training
Staff received animal evacuation training presented by the SoCal Animal Rescue Team.

Topics included selecting a location and setting up an animal evacuation shelter, Incident Command System, animal intake and care, volunteer management, and compassion fatigue.
Watch out for pool sharks at the Senior Center
The Costa Mesa Senior Center completed the refurbishing of the eight-foot pro pool table in the Sunroom. As part of the refurbishing, pool cues and felt were upgraded to tournament standard.

The work also included leveling the table, fixing pockets that were loose and installing new rubber inlays around the table.

The upgrades have drastically increased the level of play and admin staff are working with volunteers to schedule an Eight Ball Pool Tournament!
Teen campers explore thrill rides and more during field trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain
Teens kicked off the second week of Teen Camp by going on an excursion to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Teens laughed and screamed their way through the park’s loops, corkscrews, and drops. During the second week of Camp, teens were also treated to excursions to the mall, Boomers, and a trip to the beach.
Music food and fun were dished out for holiday celebration at the Senior Center
Over 100 attendees enjoyed a luncheon filled with entertainment, games, good friends, and fun.

Lunch which included barbecued chicken and sides was served by some of Costa Mesa’s finest men and women in uniform from the city’s Fire and Police Departments.

Attendees were treated to country and Americana songs performed by Bob Millspaugh.
News Roundup
Weekly Reports
Outreach contacts 60 people and helps to house one
Last week, City Outreach workers assisted 60 people and helped to house one.
Code Enforcement contacted seven people, three declined help and four requested/accepted help.

Each week, the city compiles a report on the efforts of our outreach team to help provide assistance to homeless persons in need.

Our team reconnects homeless with their families, locates housing opportunities and helps individuals get into recovery programs and even employment.

To see past reports click on  this link.
One dog and two cats reunited with owners at shelter
Animal Control officers compile a report each week detailing encounters with wild animals and pets in the city.

To keep the public informed about what is happening with the city's Animal Control division, we are going to publish a weekly report on our website.

Mark Your Calendars
Check out these upcoming events
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 –   Concerts in the Park- The Fenians, 6 p.m., Fairview Park, 2501 Placentia Ave. Join the Costa Mesa Foundation every Tuesday in July for Concerts in the Park. A Costa Mesa favorite, bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy some summer favorites.

Tuesday, July 10, 2018 –   Film Club, 5 p.m., Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library, 1855 Park Ave. The Donald Dungan Library has ongoing programs weekly, including film club. For more information, please call: 949-646-8845.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018 –   Chamber Network Lunch, 11:30 a.m.- noon. Karl Strauss Brewery, 901 S Coast Dr. Meet new friends, share your business story, find out about what's happening around the community and make business contacts. RSVP to the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

Friday, July 13, 2018 –   Spelling Bee, 1-3 p.m. Costa Mesa Senior Center, 695 W 19   th St. Join the Senior Center for their second annual Spelling Bee competition. Enjoy light refreshments. For more information, please call: 714- 327-7550.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 –   Concerts in the Park- Flashback Heart Attack, 6 p.m., Fairview Park, 2501 Placentia Ave. Join the Costa Mesa Foundation every Tuesday in July for Concerts in the Park. A Costa Mesa favorite, bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy some summer favorites.

Monday, July 23, 2018 –   Movie Monday Adventures- Back to the Future, 8 p.m. Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, 600 Town Center Dr. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, family and friends and enjoy a screening of Back to the Future on the plaza. Set up begins at 5:30 and the movie begins at dusk. For more information, please visit:   www.scfta.org/MovieMondays.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018 –   Movies in the Park- Star Wars the Last Jedi, 7:45 p.m., Balearic Center, 1975 Balearic Dr. Bring blankets and chairs and check out a movie in the park. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and movie will begin at dusk.

Thursday, July 26, 2018 –   Trauma Intervention Program of Orange County, 6:30- 10 p.m., TIP of Orange County is looking for caring people who want to be part of a team of volunteers who provide emotional first aid and practical support to survivors of traumatic events. For more information, please call: 714-314-0744.