At its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 7, the City Council will recognize November as Native American Heritage Month and Movember, otherwise known as the Mens Health Awareness campaign.

The Council will also consider an ordinance to establish potential just cause residential tenant protections, receive a preliminary mid-year financial report, consider the creation of a cafe at Lions Park and more.

Meeting starts at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Click the link below for the agenda.

The City of Costa Mesa is proud to announce that Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano has been inducted into the inaugural class of the California Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame 2023.

The California Fire Chiefs Association (CalChiefs) recently established the California Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame (HOF) to honor and celebrate lifelong contributions and achievements of Fire Chiefs who have gone above and beyond to enhance the California Fire Service.

“Fire Chief Dan Stefano is a blessing to the City of Costa Mesa,” Mayor John Stephens said. “He has served our community with distinction as our fire chief for over 10 years. During that time, he has developed a department that is second to none. Chief Stefano is a role model, not just in the Fire & Rescue Department, but throughout the city staff. He is definitely a first-ballot Hall of Famer who well deserves this prestigious honor.”

Click here for more.

The City of Costa Mesa welcomed over 1,000 people to the ARTventure Community Arts Day on the Lions Park Event Lawn and stage on Saturday Oct. 28.

The ARTventure Awards Ceremony took place later that evening at the Orange County Museum of Art and hosted 300 people.

Click here for a slideshow of the event.

Eight honorable mention and eight cash awards were presented by the Master of Ceremony, Angel Correa and the Juried Art Exhibition jurors, Alisa Ochoa and Valentina Aproda Maurer.

City Manager, Lori Ann Farrell Harrison presented the People’s Choice award alongside award ceremony attendee and celebrity Ken Jeong, whose daughter applied to participate in the Youth Art category.

There were three live performances throughout the night by the Orange County School of the Arts.

The day featured four chalk artists (Stacy Moffatt, Nuria Martinez, Leo Aguirre and Maribeth McFaul), three live music performances (Martin Espino, Bob Baker Marionette Theater and Kimmy Pidazo) and eight different art making booths hosted by: Art Steps, Art Therapy OC, Costa Mesa High School (ceramics and live painting with students and Juan Islas), Costa Mesa Mobile Recreation, Inspired Art Wine, Orange County Museum of Art and Ronald Chee Studios.

For 2023, the ARTventure also featured a Juried Art Exhibition that hosted over 200 artworks by 136 artists in the Norma Hertzog Community Center. To celebrate the opening of the show, live performances (Velvet String Duo and Joseph Yashar) took place.

The artwork was on display from Oct. 27 through Oct. 28 and was up for viewing during the Community Arts Day on the Lions Park Event Lawn. The exhibit will be available for viewing at the Norma Hertzog Community Center through Sunday, Nov. 5.

For a list of winners and honorable mentions please visit our ARTventure web page here.

The City of Costa Mesa’s video operations, Costa Mesa Television (CMTV) was recently awarded top honors for "Overall Programming Excellence" by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) at its 38th annual Government Programming Awards (GPA) ceremony.

The national video competition honors excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies. This year NATOA received more than 950 entries for the competition submitted by local governments across the country.  

CMTV also took top prizes for program entries in the "Sports Programming” and “Profile of a City/County Dept. or Employee” categories in the competition.

This marks the first time the City of Costa Mesa has received NATOA’s coveted top prize for Overall Programming Excellence. CMTV was created in 1988 and is part of the City Manager’s Communications Team, producing videos focusing on governmental, informational, and special interest programming for and about Costa Mesa. 

CMTV 3 programming originates from City Hall and is cablecast to the community on Spectrum channel 3 and AT&T U-verse channel 99. In addition to a live web stream of the channel, all meetings and most original programs are also available either via the city’s website or YouTube page: www.youtube.com/costamesatv.

A complete list of NATOA’s 2023 GPA nominees and winners can be found here: https://assets.noviams.com/novi-file-uploads/natoa/2023_GPA_Winners_List.pdf.

Join us at the Costa Mesa Senior Center on Wednesday, Nov. 8, for a Fairview Park Community Meeting at 6 p.m.

This meeting will include a presentation on restoration opportunities and biological resources in the context of the Fairview Park Master Plan Update.

Following the presentation, the project team will conduct a Q&A session.

As Daylight Savings Time ends and we return to Standard Time, don't forget to set your clocks back one hour beginning at 2 a.m. on Sunday.

Also, this is a great reminder to change the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

We bring you highlights from the 2023 Costa Mesa ARTventure celebration, brought to you by the City of Costa Mesa's Parks & Community Services Department.

This year's ARTventure began with a Community Arts Day event for families and friends and included a Juried Art Exhibition accompanied by an Awards Ceremony at the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA).

ARTventure entries are on exhibit through Nov. 5 at the Norma Hertzog Community Center. The Parks and Community Services Department is committed to enhancing the community through the delivery of innovative recreational programs; quality parks and facilities; and services that promote social, physical and emotional well-being.

Arts and Culture are a part of this commitment, and the City of Costa Mesa strives to embody its namesake as the "City of the Arts."

To learn more about ARTventure and additional city sponsored programs visit www.costamesaca.gov.

Check out the ARTventure highlights at the link below:

For more on the City's Network for Homeless Solutions please visit our website here.

For these and more job opportunities visit our website here.

This year, the Costa Mesa Police Department once again participated in the Trunk-or-Treat at IKEA.

This event was hosted by Power of One Foundation with partners IKEA Costa Mesa, City of Costa Mesa, CMPD, and the City of Santa Ana as well as Santa Ana PD.

CMPD was happy to meet and greet community members while passing out Halloween candy. It was a great way to connect with residents and families.

Per Power of One, a total of 7,551 community members came through the Trunk-or-Treat.

On Oct. 28, CMPD participated in the National Drug Take Back Day.

Residents were asked to go through their home and collect all expired, unused, and unwanted medications to bring to the police department.

SIU members and Explorers worked the event as well as a DEA contact. About 202 pounds of unwanted drugs were collected into 12 boxes that the DEA took to dispose.

What is collected?

Accepted: prescriptions, over the counter medicine, vitamins, supplements, pet medicine, and liquid medicine.

🚫Not accepted: needles and sharps, inhalers, illicit drugs, chemotherapy medication, mercury thermometers, bulk pharmaceutical waste. 

This is a national event so other nearby police departments also participated. 

The Walgreens on Superior has a drop box to dispose of non-controlled medications year-round during business hours.

On Oct. 31, the Community Policing Unit visited Mariners Christian School.

While at the school, the met some elementary school students and talked to them about personal safety, bike safety, and let the students know that police officers are always there to help them and keep them safe.

This Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 will mark the fifth year of remembrance of the passing of our brother Fire Captain “Ironman” Mike Kreza.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue shares our steadfast love and support with Shanna Kreza and their three daughters, Kaylie, Layla and Audrey, not only this day, but throughout the year.

We also share our gratitude to all of our extended fire family, our community, and everyone touched by Mike’s legacy.

“As we acknowledge the fifth Year of Remembrance of our brother, Costa Mesa Fire Captain Mike Kreza’s passing, please consider taking some time to reflect and remember Mike throughout the weekend and also consider taking the time to share with someone who did not know Mike, who and what he was all about,” said Fire Chief Dan Stefano. “Our hearts, prayers and strength remain with Shanna, Kaylie, Layla and Audrey and all whose lives were touched by Mike. This weekend is an opportunity for each one of us to always remember and honor Mike in our own way and together.”

To continue remembering the legacy of all things that were Captain Mike Kreza, our Costa Mesa Fire Family will engage in a variety of different informal tributes and gatherings to honor “Ironman Mike” on Nov. 5 and through the weekend.

The intent is to bring people together in Mike’s remembrance and honor. Included will be an annual 5k walk and family picnic that Shanna and the Kreza girls established to bring family and friends together in Mike’s honor.

Recently Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue hosted their annual Promotion Ceremony in the City Council Chamber at Costa Mesa City Hall. 

The event, which is rich in tradition, began with a phenomenal presentation of Colors by our own CMFR Honor Guard, including Captain and lead Trumpet Fred McDowell, Captain Brent Turner, Engineer Dave Kearley, and Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Pregizer. A thoughtful invocation was given by Chaplain Josh Harrison. 

Click here for a slideshow from the ceremony.

The ceremony was led by Fire Chief Dan Stefano and recognized 14 of our CMFR personnel members through a formal badge pinning and reaffirming swearing in ceremony. Additionally, we introduced our newest Probationary Firefighters. 

Presentations of each individual were delivered by the Command Staff - Fire Chief Stefano (Assistant Chiefs) Assistant Fire Chiefs Jason Pyle (Fire Engineers) & Jon Neal (CRR Members), Battalion Chiefs Chris Coates, Tim Vasin and Bill Kershaw (Firefighter/Paramedics & Firefighters). A thoughtful overview of the firefighter and firefighter/paramedic hiring & probationary processes was delivered by Training, Safety & Professional Standards Captain Chuck Torres (hiring, CMFR academy, and 12-month probation) and EMS Manager/Fire Captain Justin Horner (Emergency Medical Services training, expectations & requirements).

The event also included a formal ceremony opening with comments by Mayor John Stephens and City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, and also included Council Members Manual Chavez and Loren Gameros in the audience, as well as a number of Department Directors and City Staff.  

Our most sincere thanks you to our Costa Mesa community, City Council, City Leadership and staff, and our entire Costa Mesa Fire Family who have provided the strongest support in honoring those officially recognized.  

Our newest Firefighters, who concluded probation in Feb of 2022, ended the ceremony with a special presentation and presented a token of appreciation to the entire Costa Mesa Fire Family.  

Congratulations to all our promotions and those that were recognized. Please help us in congratulating: Assistant Fire Chief/Operations Jason Pyle, Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Jon Neal, Fire Engineers Matt Chavez and Kyle Myszka, Assistant Fire Marshal Nikki Johnson, Fire Protection Specialist Ryan Meadors, Code Enforcement Officer Luke Senger, Administrative Assistant Amy Ellard, Firefighter/Paramedics Robert Rondinella and Portia Neale, and Firefighters Kainoa Korionoff, Jeff Guzman, Josh Kalmonson and Kenji Taniguchi.

Due to the significant Santa Ana Winds and Elevated Fire Weather the region was experiencing, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue recently deployed our Cal OES Type 3 (Wildland) Fire Engine and crew. 

This collective pre-positioning deployment began late last night and though the early hours today and is anticipated to last over the next few days. 

This deployment is part of a Metro Cities / Cal OES Type 3 Strike Team (Costa Mesa, Anaheim Fullerton, Laguna Beach and Orange City). This is a proactive pre-positioning deployment to be further prepared for any fire and emergency situations.  

Additional resources from OCFA will also be a part of our countywide pre-positing deployment with hand-crews, bulldozers and helicopters, among other resources, all being deployed in concert with fire and rescue resources in Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.

LA County and the IE are anticipated to experience the most significant Santa Ana winds and elevated fire weather danger and we anticipate high Santa Ana winds in our Orange County canyon and mountain areas as well, along with moderate Santa Ana winds and elevated Fire weather throughout other areas.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue’s Cal OES Type 3 (Wildland - All Hazard) Fire Engine & crew was deployed from their pre-positioning deployment (in Orange County) to the Highland Fire in Riverside County, as part of our Metro Cities / Cal OES Type 3 Strike Team, which also includes crews from Anaheim, Fullerton, Laguna Beach and Orange City. 

In addition, CMFR’s Cal OES Type 1 (All Hazard) Fire Engine was deployed in the late hours of Oct. 30, to the Highland Fire, as part of a Metro Cities / Cal OES Type 1 Strike Team (Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach and Orange City). 

Our resources are also joined by a number of OCFA resources, as well as an increasing number of regional and statewide resources.

Both deployed crews were on the fire line through the night, on different assignments, and all of our fire and rescue personnel are doing well.  

Currently, the Highland Fire is approximately 2,200 acres, with limited containment. 

For additional information on this incident, here is the Highland Fire Incident Status link: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2023/10/30/highland-fire.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue crews recently responded to a call of smoke from a multi-unit apartment complex located at the 1900 block of Wallace Avenue.

CMFR first arriving crews observed heavy smoke and flames coming from one of the units.

After gaining access to the unit, crews initiated a coordinated an aggressive interior fire attack and with the arrival of additional fire crews, fire attack efforts continued with additional operations, including search and rescue operations and ventilation. 

Through a primary and secondary search, CMFR crews confirmed no victims in the residence. The crews remained on scene for overhaul operations and the arrival of building department officials and respective utility company representatives. 

Thank you to the additional support provided by NBFD and CMPD, who provided scene security in and around the incident. 

The fire is under investigation. 

Construction of the Police Department Range Remodel is nearly complete. 

This comprehensive project includes upgrading the old practice range by installing new targeting systems, installing a modern camera system, improving the range exhaust and air supply systems, and modifying the existing fire life safety systems in the basement of the Police Department. 

The project also incorporates a new Range Master’s office, a cleaning room, and a larger storage area to serve the range.

In the coming weeks, installation of a new elevator will be completed. 

With this project, the Costa Mesa Police Department will be equipped with an upgraded range that fulfills its training requirements. 

The Public Works Department is proud to work with the Police Department in delivering this significant project.  

Breaking away from traditional traffic sign making, the City of Costa Mesa Signs and Markings Section of the Public Works Department recently acquired an HP Latex Printer.

This latex printer will streamline workflow for sign making by shifting away from plotting, picking out unnecessary material, and applying transfer tape. In one step, the sign shop is now able to print traffic signs with multiple colors and graphics and apply them directly to the sign material for posting. 

The addition of the latex printer cuts the time it takes for staff to produce a single sign by at least 33%.

Traffic signs are instrumental to guiding traffic and notifying drivers of crosswalks and cyclists.

This fiscal year, the Signs and Markings Section has manufactured over 200 traffic safety signs and is on track to installing 500 traffic safety signs by the end of the year.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, the Power of One Foundation, in partnership with the City of Costa Mesa, City of Santa Ana, and IKEA – Costa Mesa, held its annual Trunk or Treat event.

More than a whopping 7,500 people were in attendance to take part in trick-or-treating, interactive booths, games, costume contest, haunt zone, dancing, and food.

In addition, our Parks & Community Services team created a “Super Mesa World” trunk using the Mobile Recreation van with staff dressing as everyone’s favorite Super Mario Bros. characters.

Camp Costa Mesa returns this winter recess with two weeks of fun from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5.

Children in kindergarten through 6th grade will enjoy games, local excursions, on-site guest entertainment, and more at the Balearic Community Center from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Weekly prices are $180 per child, plus $5 for non-residents.

Registration is open for Costa Mesa residents either online at www.cmclassesonline.com or in person at City Hall and Downtown Recreation Center.

Open enrollment begins Tuesday, Nov. 7. For program information, please call (714) 754-5161.    

BeFIT Basketball Program is back this winter from Jan. 16 through March 16, 2024 for youth in 1st – 8th grades.

This free program will teach participants basketball fundamentals, teamwork, and great sportsmanship with two clinic-based practices during the week for A and B Divisions and once a week for C-Division.

Not only will it be a great season, but participants will be put to the test when they play an official game at the end of the season.

Registration is open online at www.cmclassesonline.com. Space is limited, so sign up early.

For program information, please call (714) 754-5084. 

BeFIT Cheer Squad is looking for youth in 1st – 8th grades to come and learn the fundamentals of cheerleading and dance from Jan. 17 through March 16, 2024.

This free program will be teaching solid teamwork, encouraging chants, and dance routines for the end-of-the-season performance at the BeFIT Basketball’s official game.

Practices are clinic-based with practices twice a week for all divisions.

Register today at www.cmclassesonline.com to join the fun.

For program information, please call (714) 754-5084. 

Seniors got into the Halloween spirit at the Senior Center’s Pumpkin Carving Workshop.

Volunteer Jeff Weiss led the group and encouraged seniors to get creative. Seniors enjoyed some festive fun and were able to take their work of art home.     

The Costa Mesa Senior Center hosted a memorable Dia de los Muertos Halloween Bash with DJ Roy, where our participants embraced the essence of the holiday in grand fashion.

This vibrant event featured an exciting costume contest, so attendees had the chance to display their most imaginative and colorful outfits.

With DJ Roy setting the stage with lively tunes, the event became a lively celebration filled with vibrant costumes and music, adding a touch of magic while paying tribute to tradition in our community.   

Maggie is a 3-year-old, female, husky mix.

Ms. Maggie is a beautiful girl who is eagerly awaiting to find her forever family.

Maggie is known for her playful personality and would make a great companion for any adventurer! Maggie is up to date on her vaccines and is spayed.

If you are interested in meeting Maggie, she is located at Priceless Pet Rescue – Costa Mesa (1536 Newport Blvd. 92627).

For other adoptable pet, you can visit www.pricelesspetrescue.org.