At the Tuesday City Council meeting, Mayor John Stephens and the Council issued a proclamation recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month.

Accepting the proclamation was Costa Mesa resident and Navajo Dine' artist Ronald Chee. He is the owner of Ronald Chee Studios and is well known for his contemporary approach to traditional native subject matter.

The Council also recognized Movember, a global movement to raise awareness of Men’s health issues.

Accepting the proclamation was the Movember Foundation's People Partner Luis Hernandez. Movember is so-called because men sport a mustache throughout the month to raise awareness.

Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens was elected by representatives of the 10 cities of Orange County’s Fifth Supervisorial District to serve as a Director on the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors.

“I am honored to be elected to this important position by my peers,” Mayor Stephens said. “Transportation, including public transit, is a critical issue for District 5 and the entire county, especially as our population ages and the expense of owning and operating a car increases. I look forward to working with my fellow Directors to increase bus routes and ridership and to improve our freeways, streets and roads.”

This appointment is for a two-year term that will begin Jan. 1, 2024.

Click here to read our press release.

Mayor John Stephens recently attended the grand opening of the Costa Mesa Buick GMC Cadillac dealership.

The mayor presented the owners a Certificate of Recognition to commemorate the opening of the business. The Red Carpet event was well attended by members of the community.

The dealership is located at 2600 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa.

* Photos courtesy of Happy Photos.

Our new and updated mobile app, "Costa Mesa 311" is now available for download in the App Store or on Google Play.

Costa Mesa 311 will replace the old "My Costa Mesa" app and will be tied into our new all-in-one electronic permitting and licensing application system called TESSA.

The My Costa Mesa App will be phased out by the end of December.

To learn more about the new Costa Mesa 311 app, please watch the short video in the link below or visit costamesaca.gov.

Costa Mesa residents, save the date to meet Chief Ron Lawrence, joined by Mayor John Stephens and the respective district councilmember, starting next week. 

Monday, November 13, starting at 6 p.m.

Meet Chief Lawrence, joined by Mayor Stephens and District 1 Councilmember Don Harper 

Balearic Community Center, 1975 Balearic Drive

Wednesday, November 15, starting at 6 p.m.

Meet Chief Lawrence, joined by Mayor Stephens and District 2 Councilmember Loren Gameros 

NMUSD, Sanborn Room, 2985 Bear Street

There will be a total of six events throughout Costa Mesa, so that residents in each district can attend. These listening tours are for residents who would like to meet Chief Lawrence and offer him feedback or share concerns. Police staff will also be “there to listen to you.”

Stay tuned for more details on:

• District 3, Nov 20, at Davis Magnate School
• District 4, Dec 7, N. Hertzog Community Center
• District 5, Dec 11, at Costa Mesa Senior Center
• District 6, Dec 13, at the Boys and Girls Club

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue’s (CMFR) Cal OES Type 3 (Wildland/All Hazard) Fire Engine and crew as well as our Cal OES Type 1 Engine and crew recently returned home from their deployment to the Highland Fire.

This deployment was part of a Metro Cities / Cal OES Type 3 and Type 1 Strike Team including the cities of Costa Mesa, Anaheim Fullerton, Laguna Beach, Orange City, Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach. 

CMFR’s crew on the Type 1 deployment included Fire Captain Gary Lilly, Engineer Scott Purcell and Firefighter/Paramedics Craig Bates and Kyle Brosamer.

We also welcomed back the crew of CMFR’s Type 3 Fire Engine and included Captain Darren deFluiter, Engineer Dave Kearley and Firefighter/Paramedics Chad Pregizer and Corey Brean.

Outstanding work by all of our crews, representing the best of Costa Mesa and CMFR.

Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue crews at Station 3 (Tower on 19th) and Station 6 (South Coast Metro area) conduct annual inspections at each high-rise in the first due area.

California safety codes mandate an annual inspection of all high-rise structures within the jurisdiction of a local Fire Department. 

Building standards and other regulations of the State Fire Marshal apply to existing high-rise structures to provide the greatest feasible extent for the safety of occupants of the high-rise structure and persons involved in fire suppression activities. 

Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue crews complete the annual high-rise inspections to verify their fire protection and smoke control systems are operating as designed and required.

The fire protection systems must function to alert and allow safe evacuation of occupants while minimizing fire growth to allow crews time to ascend stairwells to locate and extinguish the fire.

Highrise buildings present a unique and high-risk set of challenges compared to other buildings in that many occupants may be evacuating the structure through the same stairs that first responders utilize to deploy hose lines to upper floors.

Below are some reminders pertaining to fire safety should an emergency occur in a high-rise building: 

• Be familiar with your buildings evacuation plan and make sure this plan if posted throughout the building, in places where all residents/people can review it. 

• Practice the evacuation plan and make sure to identify all exits of a building.

• Do not use the elevator in the instance of a fire. Practice using the stairs as part of your escape plan. 

• Practice getting low and trying to remain under the smoke as you make your way to an exit. 

The Citizens Fire Academy recently culminated with a graduation night filled with family, crew members, Fire Chief Dan Stefano, Battalion Chief Bill Kershaw, Fire Protection Specialist Ryan Meadors, and the acknowledgment of the successful completion of the academy.

Students attended the eight-week academy hosted on Wednesday evenings along with one Saturday session. Students were taught about CMFRs specialty skills and training and had a behind the scenes look into fire and safety.

They learned of the different fire and rescue divisions, they experienced real firefighting skills and training, flowed water to extinguish a fake fire, participated in a ride along with CMFR crews, and had the opportunity to meet with Fire Chief Stefano and various members of CMFR personnel. 

The sessions included an overview of Telecommunications, Engine Company Operations, Community Risk Reduction, Truck Company Operations, Wildland Operations, and a roundtable Q&A with Chief Stefano.

Costa Mesa is one of the only cities in the region and one of only a handful throughout the state that offers a program like the Citizens Fire Academy. The original concept was introduced by CMFR’s (Ret.) Fire Protection Specialist Cheryl Wills in 2001 and was part of the CERT training program. In 2004, a newly formatted program was introduced by Fire Protection Specialist Brenda Emrick which ultimately showcased the full depth of the fire service.

This year, the academy was hosted by Temporary Emergency Services Manager and (Ret.) Fire Protection Specialist Brenda Emrick along with newly promoted Fire Protection Specialist Ryan Meadors. The community’s connection with its fire personnel, equipment and fire stations in the main objective of CFA. 

CMFR’s model has been shared across the country as part of “whole community” preparedness and community relations.

“We are very proud of our Citizen’s Fire Academy here in Costa Mesa, truly a one of a kind program in the Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services arena throughout the region and throughout the state,” said Fire Chief Dan Stefano. “The level of community engagement and connection with our collective CMFR team in this program is extraordinary, highlighted by the interactive presentations by all of our professionals, which make it a high value “back stage pass” to learn about the Fire & Rescue Department and the larger City of Costa Mesa.”  

Chief Stefano continued, “A special thank you to Cheryl Wills and Brenda Emrick who each have played key roles in establishing and building our Costa Mesa CFA program, as we have now initiated the passing of the torch of our CFA and community education programs to Fire Protection Specialist Ryan Meadors and our CMFR Community Risk Reduction Team. Excellent work by everyone.” 

The academy goes hand-and-hand with the community volunteer program Fire Corps, which supports CMFRs public education, community risk reduction and administration divisions through numerous events and engagement opportunities.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue (CMFR) reminds the community to be actively aware of the increased fire risks as we head into colder weather and winter months. 

In an effort to help increase awareness and educate the public of the increased fire and life safety risks during the winter months, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue is joining with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to team up for this year’s “Put a Winter Freeze on Winter Fires” campaign, now through February. 

As we enter into the winter months and begin to use our fireplaces and heaters, CMFR asks the community to remember the following tips for fire safety:

• Inspect all CO (carbon monoxide) and smoke alarms; make sure they are in active working order, tested monthly and placed in key locations throughout your home. 

• Plug only one heat producing appliance into an outlet at a time.

• Anything that can burn should be placed at least three feet from a heat source (i.e. space heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces.)

• Make sure space heaters are plugged directly into an outlet, never into an extension cord and make sure to unplug them when you leave the room.

• When using a fireplace or wood stove, make sure to put the fire out when leaving your home or going to bed.

For more information, please visit www.usfa.fema.gov or contact Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue’s Community Risk Reduction Team directly at (714) 327-7406.

The City’s “Request A Bike Rack” webpage continues to receive requests to install bike racks at various locations throughout the City.

The webpage provides community members a convenient way to suggest additional bike rack locations in the public right-of-way. Public Works installed two bike racks this week on Valley Road at Victoria Street and on West 19th Street at Park Avenue. 

As the City continues to implement the 2018 Active Transportation Plan, convenient and secure bike parking is an important component of an effective bicycle network to provide mobility options to Costa Mesa residents and visitors.

To suggest a bike rack in the public right-of-way, please visit our Request a Bike Rack page here.

As always, the City recommends securing your bicycle to the rack with a u-lock in order to reduce the chance of theft. 

Public Works recently installed green flexible safety bollards in the bicycle lane buffers along West 19th Street between Pomona Avenue and Placentia Avenue.

These flexible bollards provide vertical separation between cyclists and vehicular traffic. 

The bicycle facility improvements will be completed soon along with the installation of green conflict area striping.

Public Works continues an effort to design and implement active transportation improvements to provide a low-stress mobility options for residents and visitors to reach their destinations by bicycle.  

Mercado Gonzalez Northgate Market will have its grand opening on Friday, Nov. 17. 

This “mercado” is truly an amazing shopping experience. It has the feeling of walking through a downtown Mexican town surrounded by “puestos” (stands) and several murals. 

The outdoor mural is intended to inspire locals and guests alike with a modern approach to an art form deeply rooted in Mexico. 

It tells a regal story that is centered around the Mexican American experience. The experiences of the Gonzalez parents and their children’s dreams can be seen dancing in gold.

This is an experiential retail food market that includes the sale of fresh produce, meats and groceries. 

Customers will have the option of eating inside or outdoor dining and entertainment areas.

On Thursday, Dec. 14, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., the City of Costa Mesa Teens will be battling the City of Costa Mesa Police Department for the Snowball Championship.

The Teen Program will be providing food, drinks, and transportation from nearby schools to the Downtown Recreation Center. All ugly Christmas sweaters are welcome!

See you on Dec. 14.

Sign up online at www.costamesaca.gov/teens with Activity #18666 or give us a call for any questions 714-327-7562.

The LEAP Program visited the Senior Center for the annual LEAP Trick or Treat.

The LEAPsters enjoyed pumpkin decorating and trick or treating throughout the center.

Each door was decorated with a customized Coco design by Senior Center Staff. Senior volunteers enjoyed passing out candy at each of the doors and interacting with the kids and teachers.

Before departing the Senior Center, the LEAPsters sang a song for seniors in the lunch room.

Ho ho have you registered for your winter Costa Mesa Recreation classes yet?

If not, ’Tis the season to open The Spotlight and find your next class.

Visit cmclassesonline.com to register online or pop down the chimney at City Hall or the Downtown Recreation Center for in-person assistance. Classes begin in December.

Find The Spotlight online at costamesaca.gov/recreation.

Costa Mesa seniors attended the Senior Summit at Soka University.

Recreation Supervisor Marianna Duarte provided resources and membership information at the City booth to seniors from around the county.

Seniors enjoyed presentations and visiting the booths for resources during the event.          

Are you interested in being part of a local Junior Lifeguard program this summer but need an extra boost before tryouts?

The Junior Guard Prep program at the Downtown Aquatic Center is the perfect way to train for try-outs and build on the swimming skills needed to excel at the beach.

The City of Costa Mesa’s experienced Instructor Lifeguards will work on swimmers’ endurance, stroke technique, treading, and dives over the course of four weeks.

Registration opens Oct. 31 at 8:00 a.m. for Costa Mesa residents and Nov. 7 at 8:00 a.m. for open enrollment.

Please note that experience equal to the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Level 4 and the ability to complete a 100-yard freestyle swim is a mandatory prerequisite for participation.

Call (714) 327-7564 for more information or to schedule a swim skill assessment. 

Boss is an 11 year old, Male, Terrier, Pit Bull / Corgi, Cardigan Welsh Mix.

Boss is a gentle dog who loves going on walks. He walks well on a leash and loves getting attention form people passing him by.

Boss is up to date on his vaccines and is neutered. If you are interested in meeting Boss, he is located at Priceless Pet Rescue – Claremont (665 E. Foothill Blvd. Unit E Claremont, 91711 For other adoptable pet, you can visit www.pricelesspetrescue.org.