At the Tuesday, March 3 meeting, the City Council will hear two presentations, one on the city's new Active Development Map and another regarding the Fairview Park Steering Committee's Annual Report.

There are three new business items to discuss:

• An update to the City’s Traffic Impact Fee Program
• A update on potential legislation that may have an impact on Costa Mesa
• Adoption of an agreement with the City of Irvine to access beds, as available, at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter

Council meeting starts at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers.

Members of the public can view the City Council meetings in person, or live on Costa Mesa TV (Spectrum Channel 3 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99), on the City’s YouTube Channel, via Zoom or on the City website www.costamesaca.gov. On the website, click the yellow Watch CMTV live button at the top of the page to view the meeting.

On Tuesday, Mayor John Stephens joined CEO Kenneth Bilengerg and employees from Avid Bioservices, Inc. for the grand opening of a new Early Phase Center of Excellence in Costa Mesa.

The mayor presented the CEO with a certificate of recognition.

The new state-of-the-art 78,000 square foot facility on Airway Avenue enhances Avid's overall capacity as a U.S.-based development and manufacturing firm to support a wide range healthcare treatments.

National Engineers Week, celebrated February 22-28, provides a wonderful opportunity for city staff to spotlight and honor the invaluable contributions of engineers in shaping our daily lives for the better.

Engineers design, build, maintain and inspect the City’s public and private infrastructure on a daily basis.

Several talented engineers serve and work for the City of Costa Mesa. They include City Council members, Committee members and staff in Public Works and Development Services Departments.

Let’s celebrate the ingenuity and dedication of engineers during this National Engineers Week.

On the latest episode of CMTV’s “Let’s Talk Costa Mesa” series, Economic and Development Services Senior Planner Michelle Halligan outlined some of the topics to be covered in next week’s three “Neighborhoods Where We All Belong” housing workshops.

She encouraged residents to come provide input as the city plans for new housing opportunities in Costa Mesa. Spanish interpretation will be provided at all three workshops.

Learn more about this #CostaMazing initiative at CostaMesaNeighborhoods.com.

Watch the “Let’s Talk Costa Mesa” interview here.

The City of Costa Mesa invites residents, businesses, and community organizations to participate in community workshops that will consider new opportunities for housing and mixed-use development.

Through interactive exhibits, participants will explore how local regulations can shape the built environment.

These activities are part of the City’s Neighborhoods Where We All Belong initiative to implement Housing Element programs, allow optional housing potential on “Measure K” properties, and increase new housing and mixed-use development opportunities in specific parts of the community.

Public input gathered at the following events will help the City refine draft strategies for regulating new residential and mixed-use buildings. All three workshops will present the same information and include Spanish interpretation.

Simply attend the event that is the most convenient for your schedule. The in-person workshops will include free snacks, refreshments, and children’s activities. Please join this important conversation about the future of housing in Costa Mesa.



Monday, March 2

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Norma Hertzog Community Center

1845 Park Avenue, Costa Mesa

Thursday, March 5

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Virtual Workshop (Zoom)

Join virtually from: www.CostaMesaNeighborhoods.com

Saturday, March 7

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Costa Mesa Senior Center

695 W. 19th Street, Costa Mesa

For more information about the Neighborhoods Where We All Belong effort, visit www.CostaMesaNeighborhoods.com.

On Friday night, Feb. 20, at CMPD’s DUI and driver’s license checkpoint on Harbor Boulevard, south of Sunflower Avenue, a total of 477 drivers were contacted and yielded 11 field evaluations for impairment, 3 DUI arrests, 25 citations issued for driver’s license related violations, and 17 vehicles were impounded.

We thank all those that drove through and were patient, a total of 956 vehicles passed through this checkpoint. We also thank CHP for assisting in this checkpoint, and Southside Towing for helping us stage a DUI display vehicle.

“Impaired driving is preventable,” said Sgt. Nick Wilson. “If you’ve been drinking or taking drugs that impair, make the right choice by finding a sober driver or alternate transportation to take you places.”

“DUI and driver’s license checkpoints are a way to educate our community on the dangers of driving impaired in hopes that drivers plan ahead with alternative transportation when out drinking,” said Chief Joyce LaPointe.

CMPD is committed to reducing injuries and fatalities on the road due to impairment. Help us keep the streets safe for everyone, don’t drive under the influence and obey all traffic laws. Funding for this checkpoint is provided to CMPD by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

What is street legal and what is not? E-motorcycles are NOT street legal, e-bicycles are. It is common to confuse the two, which is why it is important to learn the differences.

The Costa Mesa Police Department wants to make sure everyone uses their e-bikes safely and responsibly.

Here is are some safety tips for cyclists:

-Wear a bicycle helmet

-Ride with the flow of traffic

-Maintain awareness of vehicles and pedestrians

-Obey posted signs and traffic signals

-Watch for vehicles when crossing driveways 

-Register your bike with Project 529 (not required but it helps us return a stolen or lost bike to its rightful owner)

In celebration of Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue’s 100 Years of service we continue our video series on the history of the Department.

Prior to his retirement in 2025 we sat down with Fire Captain Fred McDowell, who documented much of the department’s history and shared the humble beginnings of what was at first a volunteer effort, which would eventually grow into the premiere Fire Department that serves our city today.  

Watch the video about CMF&R’s beginnings here.

To learn more about the programs and services provided by CMF&R today visit this link. 

HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response visited Fire Station 1 this week for a valuable training opportunity.

Their canine response teams spent time becoming familiar with the sights, sounds and scents of the fire service environment, including fire uniforms, apparatus and the sensory experience of an active fire engine.

This type of exposure training helps ensure the dogs remain calm, confident, and focused when responding to real world emergencies. By introducing them to turnout gear, equipment, and engine noise in a controlled setting, the teams strengthen their ability to provide comfort and stability during high stress situations.

HOPE’s canine response dogs and their dedicated team leaders respond to emergency crises to provide emotional support and comfort to individuals, families, and communities during some of their most difficult moments. 

We are grateful for the partnership and the important work they do to support our community.

Throughout the week, all Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue crews attended in classroom training and skills review for lifesaving techniques.

The training covered the topics of Red Cross BLS provider certification and Orange County EMS biannual updates of policies, procedures, and standing orders.

Orange County EMS updates standard policy and procedures twice a year and CMFR must ensure our members are well trained on these changes and remain current.

Join us this Saturday, Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. at the Costa Mesa Senior Center for this FREE community event.

Connect with over 35 amazing vendors and community partners, access important resources and support designed for everyone.

Enjoy raffles, a quiet space, and the opportunity to meet new people in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Bring your friends and family and be part of a community celebration you won’t want to miss.

Join us for a Poetry Workshop at the Donald Dungan Library with Poet Laureate Danielle Hanson.

Date: March 7

Location: Donald Dungan Library (1855 Park Ave. Costa Mesa)

Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Adams Room

Attendees will learn how to write a poem with Hanson. Mark your calendars! This is free to attend.

Click here to learn more.

The Arts Grant program provides funds to support local arts organizations, artists and teachers for projects and events that take place in Costa Mesa.

The deadline to apply is March 9.

Award recipients can receive up to $5,000 to be utilized within a one-year period.

Arts Grant Program | City of Costa Mesa