At the Feb. 6 meeting, the City Council will recognize Black History Month and present a proclamation to members of the Orange Coast College Black Student Union.

The Council will also review the Planning Commission’s decision to deny a Conditional Use Permit Evolv Herbal, a proposed retail cannabis business at 1858 Newport Blvd.

Also on the docket is a noise study report prepared by Sound Media Fusion related to resident concerns regarding potential noise ordinance violations from business operations at “The 12” gym, located at 140 East 17th Street, Suite B, in Costa Mesa.

The Council will also review and provide feedback on a proposed 60-unit mixed-use development at the Senior Center at 695 West 19th Street located in the 19 West Urban Plan area.

On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens and Council Members Manuel Chavez and Loren Gameros officially unveiled Mariposa Garden, the City's first butterfly garden, which is on a hillside adjacent to Marina View Park located at 1035 W. 19th St.

Click here to watch a video of the event.

The garden features butterfly sculptures by artist Marisabel Bazan and eight different varieties of drought tolerant plants that are a mixture of naturalized and native plants planted by City Public Works crews.

The flora is designed to attract a variety of butterflies, including the famous monarch butterfly and one landed in the garden during the ceremony.

The event was well attended by members of the public and staff that included City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, Deputy City Manager Alma Reyes, Public Works Director Raja Sethuraman and several members of the Police Department, Parks & Community Services and Public Works team.

Also attending were Costa Mesa Police Department's Area Commander Lt. David Casares and Park Rangers. The Park Rangers made themselves familiar with the new butterfly garden area that they will patrol. 

Members from the Arts and Parks & Community Services Commissions were also in attendance

Costa Mesa Public Works is once again teaming with Caltrans, Assembly Member Cottie Petrie-Norris and E-Waste to sponsor another Dump Day event on Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Costa Mesa Senior Center 

Caltrans staff will be on hand to collect all your bulky waste that is too big to fit in residential garbage bins - including mattresses, furniture and e-waste.

This event is free of cost for all OC residents and no appointment is necessary. It is first-come, first-serve and we will accept items until 11 a.m. or until we reach full capacity (whichever is first). We encourage attendees to arrive early.

The following items will NOT be accepted at this event:

• Hazardous materials (batteries, paints, oils, chemicals, pesticides, fluorescent lights)

• Concrete, dirt, rocks, brick, asphalt, or sand

• Treated wood

• Tires 

Did you know Costa Mesa 311 is a free smart phone app that allows residents to conveniently report an issue and/or access city services?

Did you also know the app can also be used to report things like clogged storm drains and fallen branches during winter storms?

With storms expected over the next few days, residents are urged to report issues using the Costa Mesa 311 app, or use the City’s website here.

When residents submit service requests via smartphones, the app automatically alerts City staff to the precise location of the problem. 

Residents also have the option of using their smartphone camera to upload a photo to better assist staff. The app also provides access to TESSA, our new permitting system, Costa Mesa news, calendar listings, public meeting agendas and more.

The app can be downloaded on Google Play or at the Apple Store.

With rain expected to hit Costa Mesa and the region over the coming days, the city’s maintenance service crews have made sandbags available for free to Costa Mesa residents in the southeast corner of the City Hall parking lot at 77 Fair Drive.

The location is self-service and bringing your own shovel is suggested as supplies could be limited. The number of sandbags is limited to 15 sandbags per household.

❌ No commercial use please.

City crews will patrol potential flooding spots to make sure catch basins are clear of debris and operational. Crews are also ready to respond to other weather-related incidents. Please report flooding issues to 714-754-5252. 

The City of Costa Mesa is accepting applications from interested, tax-exempt nonprofit organizations operating within its jurisdiction that provide public services that benefit low- and moderate-income Costa Mesa residents and are eligible for grant funding under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

HUD has not notified the City of its actual 2024-2025 grant; however, for planning purposes, an estimated $121,575 in CDBG funds may be available on a competitive basis for public services for fiscal year 2024-2025. The application and related instructions became available on Tuesday, Jan. 16 on the City’s website here:

Applications must be submitted to the City of Costa Mesa Housing and Community Development by 2 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2024. 

Late applications will not be accepted.

The City of Costa Mesa joins other cities around the nation in recognizing February as Black History Month. During this month, we celebrate the historical contributions, heritage, and culture of Black Americans and reflect on the accomplishments of Black Americans in our community.

The new Rail Trail adjacent to the recently built Anduril site is now open to the public. 

City staff worked in conjunction with the developers of the Anduril site in bringing to the community a new bicycle and pedestrian facility that is consistent with the City’s Active Transportation Plan.

The trail is a half-mile long in both directions, and it is fully landscaped along with exercise facilities that the public can enjoy. 

In addition, the Rail Trail will be open to the public from dawn to dusk.

This new facility is one step in providing active transportation in this commercial and industrial area and an example of private-public partnership in bringing this to a reality.

This week, the Costa Mesa Police Department recognized team member promotions.

• Sgt. Jerad Korte
• Sgt. George Maridakis
• Animal Control Supervisor Doris Cattouse
• Community Service Specialists Justin Pham, Yael Carbajal, and Yilmaz Yanik

The sergeants process, which is the most challenging promotion in a PD, can take a couple of months and involves three rounds of interviews with other sworn personnel from inside and outside the department.

Candidates need to study laws, policy, and leadership skills to successfully complete all phases of the process, which starts with a written test. Congratulations to the new sergeants.

AC Supervisor Cattouse has years of experience in Animal Control and her promotion is well deserved. Congratulations as well to the CSSs, who help and support the police department team – it’s the support staff that make an organization run smoothly. 

The Costa Mesa Police Department is hiring police officers.

If you or anyone you know is interested in a fulfilling career of community service, apply today at www.cmpolice.org.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Assistant Fire Marshal Nikki Johnson and Fire Protection Specialist Ryan Meadors attended St. Joachim School’s “Community Helpers” event recently to discuss the different components of their careers with the students. 

Also in attendance were Costa Mesa Police Officer Hermes and Officer Cordero and representatives from Hoag Hospital, who shared about their career paths and functions of their careers.

The speakers were also recognized from the school for their roles in keeping the city safe and making Costa Mesa a great place to live. 

Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue takes a proactive approach to the health and well-being of all its members, with a strong emphasis and focus on behavioral health training, wellness programs, and cancer awareness and prevention efforts. 

During Cancer Awareness Month in January, CMFR remained steadfast to support all fire personnel through resources, information, and hands-on support.

CMFR continues to follow the cancer support network and assist in the push to educate fire personnel; fire personnel are more likely to develop cancer than the general public, due to the elements of exposure from the job. 

Several modules have been included in station discussions, including video testimonials that are aimed to guide firefighters and educate them on the cancer specific hazards faced each shift. 

The goal is to tie all wellness approaches together and allow for longevity in the job so that everyone goes home safe and stays well for years to come.

Recently Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue personnel attended training on the new Tyler Fire Inspection program, which is a new program being rolled out that will assist staff who conduct Fire Life Safety and Operational Permit inspections with the incorporation of using tablets in the field. 

This program will be linked to the City’s Business Licensing and Financial systems to maintain current contact information and accommodate digital invoicing for reoccurring permits and ease of operations.

On Monday Jan. 29, Vanguard University invited Sam Ashurst from Trellis, CMPD Officer Jon Smith and Mike Brumbaugh Senior Code Enforcement Officer for the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force to be a part of a discussion on homelessness in Costa Mesa.

The goal of the discussion was to bring awareness to the students of what homelessness is and how it impacts our city.

Ashhurst spoke and gave examples of homelessness and shared the volunteer opportunities at Trellis, while Officer Smith spoke of the law enforcement aspects such as how we have come to today’s challenges, changes in laws, lack of mental health/addiction help.

Brumbaugh gave examples of what he observes in the City in the early mornings, the types of camps and how homelessness has changed in the city over the years.

Public Works recently installed a vehicle speed feedback sign on East 18th Street between Tustin Avenue and Irvine Avenue in the westbound direction.

The vehicle speed feedback sign displays motorist’s speeds and reminds drivers of the posted speed limit. Vehicle speed feedback signs are traffic calming devices that can help reduce vehicular speeds.

The Public Works Department continues its commitment to improving safety and mobility for all users. 

Costa Mesa TV wrapped up its look back at the 2023 ARTventure winners with this profile of Abstract Art winner Debra Lynn Manville, who has found her own new language in art.

Using bright colors and the concept of silence in artwork, the shapes and lines in her pieces are the structure to the language, silently conveying meaning. Each curve and bend are pauses, liaisons and exclamation points. Forms are the main idea, the meat of the subject, or a question.

Colors are the accent and octave in which the language is spoken.

According to Debra, "Each piece interacts with the viewer about their own internal dialogue. I find art like a Rorschach test. It will give each person a different feeling and no matter what, it is based upon the viewer's perception. It is speaking its own language to each individual viewer."

You can see more of Debra's art on her Instagram account, @1milliondiamonds

Check out CMTV’s profile on Debra here.

What if you find a stray animal?

The Costa Mesa Police Department’s Animal Services Unit would like to let the community know that the City is using a new shelter at Priceless Pets, 1536 Newport Boulevard.

As a reminder, please check out what to do if you find a stray animal. This info can be found on our website at cmpolice.org under Animal Services Unit.

Mary is spayed, up to date on her vaccines and available for adoption and is friendly.

For more about Mary please visit Priceless Pets Rescue here. 

Grab your Bestie and join Access Costa Mesa for a night you’ll never, ever, ever forget! Dances are all abilities friendly, and for all who wish to attend.

When: February 9, 2024

Time: 6:30 – 8:30pm

Where: Costa Mesa Senior Center Grand Hall

695 W. 19th St, Costa Mesa 92627

Ages: 14+

Fee: FREE!

Light refreshments and beverages will be provided.

ALL participants need to be picked up by 8:45pm

Todoas las habilidades son bienveinidos.

Cuando: 9 de Febrero de 2024

Tiempo: 6:30-8:30pm

Para mayores de 14 anos

Localizado: Costa Mesa Senior Center

Entrada Gratis

Todos los participantes necesitan ser recogidos antes de las 8:45pm

OC Fair has announced that "Always a Good Time" will be the theme of the 2024 festival that will run July 19-Aug. 18, celebrating summer, community and making memories.

Admission tickets will go on sale online in February. This will be the fourth year the Fair will use a limited-capacity model and days are again expected to sell out.

The OC Fair Every Day Passport will also be offered, allowing guests to visit the Fair any day of its 23-day run without advance tickets or reservations required.

The OC Fair Board voted to keep admission ticket prices the same as 2023, $13 general admission on weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday) and $15 on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Tickets for seniors 60+ and kids 6-13 are $9 all days. OC Fair will again absorb the online admission ticket transaction fees. The Every Day Passport is $60 for visits to the Fair any day, without restrictions. Parking in 2024 will be $15.

Fair hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets are now available to purchase for shows in Pacific Amphitheatre and The Hangar. ABBA LA and Bee Gees Gold will perform on July 20, Chris Young and Conner Smith will be in the Pacific Amphitheatre July 19 and Los Tucanes de Tijuana and Voz de Mando will be on stage July 14. Updates are available on pacamp.com and ocfair.com as well as on the new OC Fair Radio platform.

Tickets to performances in Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena during the run of the OC Fair also include same-day Fair admission.

The OC Fair is looking for local people to participate in the annual 2024 event. Community entertainment (unpaid) applications will be accepted through April 5 at ocfair.com.