Help us decide the future of what should happen at the 121-acre Fairview Developmental Center as it transitions into a mixed-use, mixed-income housing community.

We invite the public to give us feedback on our draft vision and guiding principles for the project at our second workshop.

We will hold three workshop meetings this month at the Costa Mesa Senior Center.

• Tuesday, Jan. 23 - English from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 25 - Spanish from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 29 - Zoom from 6-8 p.m.

For more information, please visit our webpage here.

City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison presented this month’s City Manager’s Leadership Award to Senior Programming Analyst Brandon Nguyen in IT.

“I really appreciate Brandon’s positive attitude,” Farrell Harrison said. “He always treats everyone with respect and genuinely loves helping his co-workers. It was his dedication that helped ensure that our new Land Management System TESSA was successfully launched. I am happy to present him with this award.”

For more click here.

Join us on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for an educational workshop on the City’s Tenant Protection Ordinance.

The workshop will take place in the Community Room at City Hall, located at 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.

The purpose of the workshop is to inform the public about the City’s Tenant Protection Ordinance, which was adopted by the City Council on Nov. 7, 2023.

This workshop is for tenants, landlords, managers, property owners, realtors, and management companies. 

Shop with a Cop was silly but serious business this year!

Costa Mesa Police Department representatives got to shop with some amazing Newport-Mesa Unified School District students thanks to our sponsors and partners who made these students’ Christmas wishlist a reality.

A big thank you to ExperTec Automotive, Newport Harbor Elks Lodge #1767Nauti-Gals, Nuvision Credit Union, Target, IHOP, NMUSD, and all the amazing staff that assisted behind the scenes as well as all of our officers.

Check out CMTV’s coverage of the Shop With A Cop event at the link below: 

In his widely acclaimed work in "Toytography," photographer Brian Carr brings to life his love and passion for video game, movie and comic book characters.

His award-winning ARTventure entry, "I've Found You," brings together two iconic pop-culture characters, The Mandalorian and Waldo in a realistic scene that is both dramatic yet tongue-in-cheek.

Using his knowledge of composition and lighting, he uses his camera to capture unedited images of limited-edition, high-end collectibles that enhance details and create the illusion of life.

Carr is the founder of "Toytography Magazine," which serves to inspire readers and provide advice on how to develop their own toytography skills. As he states, "Toys have become my canvas and my camera is the brush."

You can see more of Carr's whimsical work at www.toytographymag.com.

Check out CMTV’s profile on the artist at the link below:

To apply for this job or others click here.

In 2023, the Costa Mesa Police Department celebrated 70 years of dedicated service to the wonderful Costa Mesa community. 

As we welcome a new year, we are privileged to continue providing police services to the community by upholding the law and enhancing public safety with honor and respect. 

We thank the many members of the Costa Mesa community for their much-appreciated support.

May the new year bring you good health, good memories, and peace and joy!

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue (CMFR) received numerous donations for The Annual Firefighters Toy Drive campaign, making this year a CostAmazing success! 

To ALL of our community partners and residents who graciously made a toy or monetary donation, CMFR thanks you.

This event would not be possible without your generosity and because of the support shown, this year, 3,356 toys were distributed across 15 organizations, serving all of Costa Mesa! 

A sincere Costa Mesa Fire Family thank you to the following CMFR community partners:

• OC Wine Society

• Santa Ana Women’s Golf Club

• QSC Audio, Costa Mesa GMC-Cadillac

• OC Woodworker’s Association

• MOXI3

• LA/OC Art Alliance

• FC Exotics (maybe)

• Board & Brew

• OC Fair Employee Social Club

• Assistance League in Costa Mesa

• Patrick’s Pub

• Wescom Credit Union

• Torelli Reality

• Regal Estates

• 24 Carrot

• Ty Alexander Salon

We hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday season and happy New Year!

With the New Year still anew, Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue not only looks forward to what the New Year will bring, but we reflect on what the last year has given us. 

We want to congratulate CMFR personnel and our community partners who were honored and recognized at the Annual Costa Mesa Fire Family Recognition Breakfast that was held at the Norma Hertzog Community Center.

Click here for a slideshow of photos.

The annual event is an opportunity to bring the extended Costa Mesa Fire Family Members together and give thanks for their noteworthy contributions throughout the last few years.

The event was placed on a pause due to COVID, so 2023 was a year to recognize not only recipients of 2023, but prior years as well. In addition, the event closed out with emotional retirement tributes to some of Costa Mesa’s finest – EMS Coordinator Larry Grihalva and Community Education Specialist and Acting Emergency Manager Brenda Emrick. 

Those honored at the event included: 

Firefighter of the Year

• 2020 – Captain Mike Hurd
• 2021 – Captain Travis Johnson
• 2022 – Engineer Don Soldan
• 2023 – Captain Justin Horner

Community Partner of the Year

• 2023 - Best Framing (Kristin and Medi Bendanna)

Fire Family Team Member of the Year

• 2022- Firefighter/Paramedic Maurilio Torres, Engineer Josh Ortega and Engineer Ken McCart
• 2023 - Senior Management Analyst Kristin Stevens, Engineer Brian Brown and Firefighter/Paramedic Giovanni LaPlaca

Fire Family Team of the Year 

• 2020 & 2021 – The Costa Mesa Fire Family
• 2022 - CMFR Peer Support Team (Battalion Chief Chris Coates, Captain Mike Ruhl, Captain Kevin Reddy, Engineer Don Soldan, Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Pregizer, Firefighter/Paramedic Maurilio Torres, and Engineer Dave Kearley)
• 2023 – Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Apparatus Committee (Assistant Fire Chief Jason Pyle, Captain Brent Turner, Captain Steve Cathey, Engineer Harrison Schwab, Engineer Luke Anderson and Firefighter Dylan Unger)
• 2023 - Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Honor Guard (Battalion Chief Chris Coates, Captain Fred McDowell, Captain Mike Hurd, Captain Brent Turner, Engineer Scott Purcell, Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Pregizer, Firefighter/Paramedic Spencer Hibbard, Engineer John Brock and Engineer Dave Kearley)
• 2023 - Captain Darren deFluiter, Engineer Dave Kearley, Firefighter/Paramedic Corey Brean and Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Pregizer

Manager of the Year 

• 2022 - Captain Aaron Davis and Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Jon Neal 
• 2023 - Captain Chuck Torres and Battalion Chief Tim Vasin

IronMan Mike Leadership Award

• 2020 & 2021 – The Costa Mesa Fire Family
• 2022 - Captain Eliasar Maldonado and Firefighter/Paramedic Mark Martinez   
• 2023 - Captain Justin Horner and Assistant Fire Chief Jason Pyle

CMFR shares a special thank you to our Mayor and City Council, City Manager Lori Ann Farrell-Harrison and the entire City Leadership Team for their strong and unwavering support and valued partnerships in everything we do.

It’s an exciting time for the department that is filled with outstanding staff and their immense contributions. We again thank our extended Costa Mesa Fire Family and congratulate all those who were recognized and we look forward to a fantastic 2024.  

Members of the Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue’s leadership team recently attended the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) Annual Fire Chiefs Leadership Conference, which was held in San Diego. 

Costa Mesa was well represented by Fire Chief and Cal Cities Board of Directors Member Dan Stefano, Assistant Fire Chief Jason Pyle, Battalion Chief Chris Coates, Fire Captain and CMFA President Steve Cathey, Fire Captain and CMFA Vice President Mark Geiger and Fire Captain/EMS Manager Justin Horner.

In addition, there was a strong group of Orange County fire service leaders including representatives from Brea, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Orange City, among others.

The annual conference brought fire service leaders from across the state together and provided engaging sessions on leadership, strategic planning, legislative updates and Statewide Fire Hazard Mapping

Attendees learned about sleep hygiene and why it is important, workers' compensation, emergency response and statewide EMS updates, municipal finance and making a difference in leadership along with many other topics.

As various home heating equipment begins to be used during the colder months, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue would like to remind our community to practice carbon monoxide (CO) safety.

Click here for more.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, and colorless gas created when fuels burn incompletely. 

Home heating tools, such as chimneys or natural gas wall heaters, must be properly ventilated to ensure they are being operated safely.

Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed in a central location outside of each sleeping area and on every level of the home.

Just like smoke alarms, make sure to test CO alarms once a month and double check that your alarms are certified.

January is a great time to start an emergency home escape plan conversation with your family as the new year may bring schedule changes.

In the event of an emergency (fires, earthquakes, and natural disasters) it is extremely important to have an established home escape plan with your family. 

Click here for more.

Your home escape plan should consist of multiple ways to exit your home, as well as an established area to meet outside the home, such as a specific park or landmark.

Having a five-minute conversation to confirm your own home escape plan could give everyone the confidence to act swiftly when time is of the essence.

Public Works has completed the installation of a new High-Intensity Activated CrossWalK or HAWK signal at the intersection of Wilson Street and Fordham Drive near Wilson Park. 

The HAWK signal is a traffic-control device designed to allow protected pedestrian crossings in assisting pedestrians safely cross roadways at midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections.  

The City has installed similar HAWK signals on Arlington Drive near Davis Elementary School and recently on Merrimac Way at Orange Coast College driveway.  

The City appreciates the cooperation and support from all its stakeholders in contributing to this project’s completion and success. 

BEFORE

AFTER

City Public Works staff recently restored a plaque dedicated to former City Clerk C.K. Charlie Priest who was instrumental in the historical preservation of the Diego Sepulveda Adobe.

Also known as the Estancia Adobe, the structure was built in the 1820s and originally served as a way station and shelter for cattle herdsmen, extending the services of Mission San Juan Capistrano.

In the 1960’s, the property was generously donated by the Segerstroms to the City of Costa Mesa in efforts to preserve the adobe.

Recognizing its historical significance, the Costa Mesa Historical Society was established with the aim of restoring the adobe and transforming it into the museum we enjoy today. 

Priest represented the City of Costa Mesa in those efforts and along with architects Regan and Shoemaker and several consultants collaborated to ensure that the structure that dated back to the mission period is restored and preserved.

After his passing, and due to his tireless work and love for the City of Costa Mesa, where he served as Deputy City Clerk and City Clerk, he was honored with a plaque at the adobe.

The plaque went missing recently and a City contractor discovered it in a planter a few miles away from the park and returned it to City staff. 

Staff took the opportunity to restore the plaque. The plaque was taken apart, cleaned, polished and reassembled. The stone that the plaque was installed on was damaged when the plaque was removed and required some small repairs as well. 

The plaque was finally reinstalled in its original place last week where it will continue to pay homage to C.K. “Charlie” Priest for years to come.

Holiday Lights Contest Winners:

1st: Stacy and Joe Tortorello 1967 Irvine Ave. Costa Mesa

2nd: Shauna Smith 1709 Iowa St. Costa Mesa

3rd: Kelly and Michael Steinfeld 1096 Salvador St. Costa Mesa

Honorable Mention: Danielle Murphy and her business Sugar High Roller

Congratulations to our 2nd annual Holiday Lights Contest Winners! Thank you all for the time, details, and dedication you have to making Costa Mesa a brighter, jolly filled place to live and visit during the Holiday Season.

A little note about our 1st place winner:

Stacy and Joe Tortorello have 27 songs that all of the lights and decorations dance to.

Their light show starts and 5 p.m. daily and they have a radio station that you can tune into to enjoy the show from your car.

Aside from the lights, they also hand build, paint, and repurpose gardening tools for the decorations.