City Hall Snapshot
February 5, 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
First pet adoption through the city's new animal care system is a success
The city's move to the new Newport Center Animal Hospital for shelter services has so far yielded favorable results and improved customer service.

As part of this new operation, the city has also partnered with Priceless Pet Rescue to handle pet adoptions because Newport Center Animal Hospital is currently not set up to do adoptions.

City staff facilitated the first pet adoption out of the shelter through the no-kill Priceless Pet Rescue. Jack the schnauzer mix was adopted by Danielle Rudd, pictured above on the right.
 
“Already Jack is fitting in perfectly and is loving going to the park for walks and getting tons of cuddles," Rudd said. "Words cannot express how thankful I am to welcome Jack in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for working tirelessly to ensure she was placed in an awesome home with me and my mom." 

Residents interested in adopting pets can visit this page for more information.
Police 
Students learn 'rules of the road' at bike rodeo
Last week, members of Costa Mesa Police Department's Community Policing and Park Ranger Units along with the Police Explorer Post took part in a Bicycle Rodeo at California Elementary School. 

Approximately 100 students participated in the event where officers discussed bicycle safety and bicycle “rules of the road.”

Additionally, bicycle registration was offered, tips for safe riding, and a bicycle course to practice safe bike riding. The Bicyclist bicycle shop partnered with police and California Elementary School for this event. 

The big lesson for the day was to wear a bicycle helmet at all times and riding alert to traffic and other potential hazards and not getting distracted by your cell phone.
Fire & Rescue 
Fire names Aaron Davis as Team Member of the Month
Aaron Davis was honored as Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue's Team Member of the Month for his many talents and contributions to our organization. 

Originally from Oregon, Davis moved to Southern California and became friends with a guy who told him about the fire service and encouraged him to check out an Explorer Program.

Fortunately, he found Costa Mesa Fire's Explorer Post 400 and quickly immersed himself in the program. It was through that experience and relationships he formed that he continued his training to include working as a reserve firefighter for Santa Ana, Orange, and Anaheim Fire Departments. Davis' perseverance and hard work paid off in 2009 when he accepted his dream offer with Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue.

For more information and details about Davis’ accomplishments, follow Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.
Fire cleans up aftermath of high-speed collision
Fire crews responded to a traffic accident involving a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed that crashed into a construction trailer. 

Crews worked for approximately 45 minutes cutting through the floor of a construction trailer so they could access the entire vehicle as there were reports of a passenger. 

Fortunately, there was no passenger and the driver of the vehicle was unhurt.
Fire teams give tour to Australian sister city visitors
Fire & Rescue crews were honored to participate in the city-wide tour for our Australian delegates from our sister city exchange. 

The delegates from Wyndham Australia were treated to a tour of the fire station, shown equipment and apparatus, while some donned protective gear.  
Public Services
Costa Mesa PD helipad gets refurbished
Before
Public Services staff recently completed the repainting of the city’s helipad located at the rear of the Police Department.

Maintenance staff working in coordination with the Police Department personnel and representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) developed the specifications and layout of the helipad and repainted it to meet current aviation regulations.

Over time, the helipad’s landing surface had become badly faded and the surface was damaged. Public Services maintenance staff patched and sealed the damaged areas of the surface and all non-essential items were removed before the first primer coat applied.

The perimeter of the surface was hand rolled to ensure no over spray would disturb police operations or damage any property surrounding the helipad during the project. The bulk of the surface was subsequently sprayed using an airless paint sprayer.

Three coats of exterior multi-surface paint/primer were applied to ensure a long lasting finish and color. Staff carefully laid out, marked and painted the markings per FAA specifications.

To complete the project, the safety light standards on the perimeter of the surface were sanded and received two coats of bright red paint.

The helipad now meets the FAA’s requirements and can be safely used by the Orange County Sheriff’s department and other emergency service agencies.   
After
Public Services completes parkway, sidewalk and trail projects
Public Services recently completed the installation of new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant wheelchair ramps at the intersection of Carnegie Avenue and Swarthmore Lane. 

This was part of the city’s ongoing effort to enhance citywide accessibility and meet ADA requirements. In addition to installing wheelchair ramps, the project also included reconstruction of the cross-gutter and splash pad to improve drainage at this location.
                   
Public Services also recently completed the reconstruction of the parkway drain at Wellesley Lane near Fairview Road (see before and after photos). The project entailed demolition of the deteriorated parkway culvert and reconstruction of a parkway drain to meet the city’s standards. In addition to improving drainage conditions in the cul-de-sac, the project also included minor improvements to deteriorated sidewalk to eliminate displacements.

Improvements to the Harbor Boulevard Cornerstone Bicycle Trail at Fairview Development Center was also completed recently. The improvements included the Fairview Developmental Center planter reconfiguration that reduced the planter size and the installation of concrete in its place to ultimately provide a larger turning radius for bicyclists. 
New bike racks being installed at multiple city parks
The City’s Bikeway and Walkability Committee recommended installation of bicycle racks at several city facilities and parks. 

Public Services recently procured 16 custom-made, single-sided bike racks that include a Costa Mesa logo built into the frame to provide a more aesthetically attractive style that is designed for easy use without damaging the bicycles.
After receiving the bike racks this week, Public Services maintenance staff began installing the racks at city parks and facilities, beginning with Wilson Park. The bike rack installation project is being completed in two phases.

Phase one was completed this week and included replacing old bike racks with the new more-efficient bike racks or where existing concrete pads that can be utilized. The second phase of the project will require the installation of new concrete pads to mount the bike racks.

The bike racks will be installed at 13 parks and with some parks receiving two separate bike rack locations. The project is anticipated to be completed by March.
1. Heller Park (2 bike rack locations)
2. Wilson Park (2 bike rack locations)
3. Tanager Park 
4. Mesa Verde Park  
5. Mesa Verde Library (2 bike rack locations)
6. Canyon Community Park  
7. Canyon Park 
8. Marina View Park 
9. Vista Park  
10. Harper Park 
11. Pinkley Park  
12. Brentwood Park 
13. Moon Park 
Arlington Drive Improvement a third of the way done
Public Services is well underway with the Arlington Drive Improvements Project.

The project is about 33% complete and the main storm drain and all storm drain laterals are completed. 

The new vegetated bioswale is currently being graded and the new southerly curb will be installed by Feb. 9.

Additionally, restricted traffic control measures are currently in place, but vehicular access eastbound past the Davis Magnet School will be restored by Feb. 16.

Finally, a new concrete multipurpose trail along the south side of Arlington Drive and roadside beautification including new landscaping and water efficient irrigation systems will be constructed by June 2018.
Economic and Development Services
Development team learns about new technology and tools at Geodesign Summit
Development Services staff attended the Geodesign Summit in Redlands at the end of January.

The two-day summit provided incredible case studies and technology advancements in solving complex spatial problems. At the summit professionals discussed how they have been able to build smart, livable, and resilient communities, in a rapidly evolving world.

Furthermore, presentations were given on software tools which help evaluate planning proposals against possible outcomes, engage diverse voices, and communicate effectively across departments and with the public.

This summit provided practical training and technological options to increase efficiency for the Development Services team, allowing the team to continue to improve how to serve the Costa Mesa community.
Parks & Community Services
Aquatic Center staff excels in winter lifesaving training
The Downtown Aquatic Center’s lifeguards participated in an especially challenging staff training this week.

Staff practiced a variety of rescue techniques with and without rescue equipment while weighed down in full winter uniform.

The added weight of thick clothing and lack of a rescue buoy did not phase the Downtown Aquatic Center’s lifeguards as they were able to single handedly extract an adult from the pool in a matter of seconds.
Cadets and Sunburst Youth Academy help with model engineer railroad clean up at Fairview Park
On Saturday, Jan. 27, over 55 female cadets from the Sunburst Youth Academy National Guard ChalleNGe Program of Los Alamitos came out to Fairview Park for a clean-up and brush removal of the Goat Hill Junction Railroad. 

The Goat Hill Junction Railroad clean-up is organized two times a year by the Orange County Model Engineers (OCME), a non-profit organization that operates a model railroad at the park. Directed model engineers and Sunburst leaders, the cadets volunteered hours of brush clearing around the 5 miles of tracks to help out train station and the park.

The mission of the Sunburst Youth Academy National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16-18-year-old high school dropouts, producing program graduates with the values, life skills, education and self-discipline necessary to succeed as productive citizens.
Non-native visitors spotted at Fairview Park
This pair was observed in residence at Fairview Park for about three days in January, demonstrating that “wildlife” at Fairview Park can be of the non-native species!
Sciencetellers pay visit to children in LEAP program
Children in the city's Learn, Explore and Play, or LEAP, Program got a fun and informative visit from Sciencetellers, a group that performs scientific experiments to young preschool and school-aged kids .

Participants were treated to a host of fun and interactive science experiments right in the classroom.
Moving to Music program back by popular demand at Senior Center
The Costa Mesa Senior Center’s Fitness for Life Program has restarted its most popular class, Moving to Music. The indoor fitness class blends cardiovascular and flexibility training with a friends, fun and music.  

Moving to Music started on Monday, Jan. 22, with a full 30-participant roster and will continue through Monday, April 2.
Senior Grocery Program continues in popularity
The Senior Grocery Program attracted 100 participants during its Friday, Jan. 26, distribution date.

The program has been serving an average of 97 participants twice a month for the last three-month period.

With its continued growth and effectiveness, the program has been used by its partner Second Harvest as a model site for new programs to visit and shape their own food distribution sites.
Pinochle card players return to Senior Center
A longtime volunteer of the Costa Mesa Senior Center, Jackie Pendarvis has relaunched the Pinochle group.

The group meets Tuesdays and Fridays from 9-11:30 a.m.

Currently the group has six members and is welcoming new members who want to learn and compete with other members. 
News Roundup
Weekly Reports
Network for Homeless Solutions Weekly Update
Last week, City Outreach workers assisted 61 people.

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.
Here is the Animal Control weekly update
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 department, we are going to publish a weekly report on our website.

Mark Your Calendars
Check out these upcoming events
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – OCC-CMCC Joint Breakfast Learning Series, 8-10 a.m. Orange Coast College Ronnenberg Center 101, 2701 Fairview Rd. This is the first session in a series, Emergency Preparedness "Grab & Go" Binder, with Cloud Back Up! For more information, please call: 714-432-5880.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 – Tenant Rights Workshop, 2-4 p.m., Balearic Community Center – Sierra Room, 1975 Balearic Drive, Costa Mesa. Attendees will learn about protection under fair housing laws, what their rights and responsibilities as tenants are, and how to deal with tenant-landlord disputes. For more information or to RSVP for the Tenant Rights Workshop, call 1-800-446-FAIR.

Thursday, February 8, 2018 – Battle of the Bottles Texas Hold’em Tournament, 6-9:30 p.m. Coleman’s Cardroom, Net Development 3130 Airway Drive, Costa Mesa. $100.00 buy-in plus $50 + value bottle of spirits or wine brought to event. $25.00 all non-playing guest or spectators. Bunco and Raffle Prizes also. For more information, please contact Eileen Benjamin at 714-885-9095.

Monday, February 12, 2018 – Movie Monday, Beauty and the Beast, 12:45 p.m. A live action version of the Disney adapted animated feature. Popcorn will be provided. For more information, please call: 714-327-7550.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018 – Monthly Networking Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. Karl Strauss Brewery, 901 A South Coast Dr. Meet new friends, share your business story, find out about what's happening around the community and make business contacts. For more information, please call: 714-885-9093.

Thursday, February 15 through Sunday, February 18, 2018 – The Shrek Musical, Robert B. Wentz Theatre, Newport Harbor HS, 600 Irvine Ave. For more information, please call: 949-515-6537.

Thursday, February 15, 2018 – Monthly Luncheon Series, Homelessness and Your Business , 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.  Learn about the business perspective on homelessness. Learn what does not work, what can work, and what you can do. For more information, please visit: www.costamesachamber.com

Friday, February 16 through Sunday, February 18, 2018 – UVSA Tet Festival , OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Dr. Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the 37th annual UVSA Tet Festival. With more than 150 exhibitors, delicious ethnic foods, cultural displays, live entertainment, and carnival rides and attractions. For more information, please visit: tetfestival.org ,

Friday, February 16, 2018 – Express Yourself , 4:30- 6:30 p.m., DRC 1860 Anaheim Ave. Teens are invited to join the teen program for a fun art event that gives you the freedom to express yourself in print making. For more information, please contact: 714-327-7652.

Mid- January 2018 through mid-February 2018 – Upper Newport Bay Parking Lot Rehabilitation , 7 a.m.- 4 p.m. The Upper Newport Bay parking lot is located at University Drive and Irvine Avenue in Newport Beach. For more information, please contact Shannon Widor at 714-667-9759.