At its regular Tuesday meeting, the City Council recognized and honored the Estancia High School girls soccer team for winning its first CIF championship in school history. 

In addition, the council honored the Newport Harbor High boys soccer team for claiming its first CIF championship in more than 20 years.

The Council also recognized March as Women's History Month with an official proclamation. Accepting the proclamation was Costa Mesa’s Women’s Club President Dede Wilson.

Thank you for attending our two in-person open houses and one virtual open house to decide the future of Fairview Developmental Center.

Both the Feb. 29 event at the Costa Mesa Country Club and the March 4 event at Iglesia Harbor Church were very successful. Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Harlan was in attendance at the golf course and Council Member Loren Gameros at the church.

To see more photos click here and here. To learn more visit our webpage at https://fdcplan.com.

Mayor John Stephens and Second District Council Member Loren Gameros joined Newport Beach Mayor Will O'Neill and in celebrating the Harbor Council PTA on its 70th anniversary.

Thank you to the PTA for all you do to support students, families, and community throughout the Newport Mesa Unified School District.

Are you well-versed in all things that rhyme? If so, Costa Mesa may be the place for you.

We are currently looking for our first Poet Laureate. The new Poet Laureate will promote the literary arts, while also increasing appreciation for the reading and writing of poetry and self-expression. Could this be you?

Important Dates for the Poet Laureate Program:

✍ The application opens: March 11, 2024

✍ Deadline to apply: April 30, 2024

For more information visit our website here. 

Women In Construction Week traces the history of women in construction, their challenges, and the many ways they’ve been able to overcome them.

This celebration is observed to appreciate the women who have taken the bold step to enter the construction industry, and also to encourage those willing to make similar commitments.

We salute and thank the hard-working women in our Public Works Department for the great work they do to improve Costa Mesa for its residents and businesses.

For more visit our Public Works webpage here.

If you haven't yet applied to to serve on various City Committees, no problem.

The deadline for residents has been extended to Monday, March 18 with the appointments tentatively scheduled for the Tuesday, April 2 City Council meeting.

The committees needing volunteers are the following:

• Animal Services Committee
• Active Transportation Committee
• Finance and Pension Advisory Committee
• Housing and Public Service Grants Committee
• Mobile Home Park Advisory Committee

Click here to learn more.

On Thursday evening, the Costa Mesa Police Department’s South Coast Plaza Unit partnered with Special Olympics of South California for Tip-A-Cop, a fundraising event with all tips collected by officers directly going to support the Special Olympics athletes.

Chief Ron Lawrence was on hand to welcome visitors to the event as Officers, including Deputy Chief Joyce LaPointe and both Captains Jason Chamness and Bryan Wadkins, served as hosts and waiters at the South Coast Plaza Claim Jumper Restaurant.

Guests placed their orders with our officers, who explained they were working for extra tips to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics athletes in the community. It was a fun and busy night for everyone.

The Costa Mesa Police Department appreciates everyone who participated from the officers to the guests.

The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) will be conducting a driving under the influence (DUI) and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, March 8, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. within the city limits.

Checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by distributing educational information and by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Impaired driving is preventable,” said Sgt. Jared Barnes. “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.”

“Our preference is to have zero DUI drivers on our roadways and that those who decide to drink do so responsibly by always having a designated driver,” said Chief Ron Lawrence. “DUI checkpoints are a way to educate our community and our hope is people learn to plan ahead with alternative transportation when out drinking.”

CMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

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.

On March 5, the Costa Mesa Police Department School Resource Officers Kathleen Sapida, Isaiah Ashby, and Shane Dean visited elementary schools and read to students for Read Across America.

Lt. David Casarez also visited a local school and read to a class of second graders and then Pre-K.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” -Dr. Seuss

If you live or work in Costa Mesa, then this invite is for you!

Our Citizens Police Academy starts in three weeks. Sign up as soon as you can online. It’s first come, first served and there are only 25 spots available.

Interested citizens are asked to complete and submit an online application.

As part of the Academy, participants get to go on a ride-along with an officer. Classes are interactive, you’ll meet the CMPD team, and learn all about law enforcement.

Don’t wait, sign up today here.

Ahoy Mateys! Costa Mesa Spring Fest is on the horizon.

Save the date for Saturday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m when Costa Mesa's annual FREE springtime celebration returns to the Lions Park event lawn for a fun-filled time.

There will be a treasure egg hunt, free train rides, arm painting, photo opportunities, a grub zone and three live “Kids Imagine Nation" performances!

To gear up for this CostaMazing adventure and prepare to set sail visit: www.costamesaca.gov/springfest or call the Parks & Community Services Department at (714) 754-5300.

Check out this special Costa Mesa Minute promoting Spring Fest.

Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue, represented in from all ranks and roles have been making their way out into the community to connect with some of our local schools and students and actively participate in the annual Read Across America Day, which we have extended all week long.

The Costa Mesa Fire Family was well represented this week by Fire Chief Dan Stefano, Assistant Fire Chief Jason Pyle, Battalion Chief Chris Coates, Fire Captains Chuck Torres and Taylor Voss, Fire Engineers John Brock and Kyle Myszka and Firefighter/Paramedics Jeff Bibler, Doug Ferguson, Giovanni LaPlaca, Jimmy Grovom and Robert Rondinella, and Fire Protection Specialist Arnold Antonio. 

CMFR personnel had the honor to read to some of the students at Victoria Elementary School and Wilson Elementary School, along with our partners from CMPD, in honor of Read Across America Day!

In recognition of Dr. Seuss’s birthday and to celebrate this great annual event, Costa Mesa Firefighters enjoyed opportunities to read with students across the community. 

Read Across America Day is an annual event that CMFR enjoys and looks forward to every year. The opportunity to share in the importance of reading and in the value and love for books with children at local schools is the sort of community engagement that CMFR strives for.

We are grateful for the opportunity to have read to the young minds that are our future!

On March 1, a driver of a large semi tractor trailer was involved in an auto accident in which one occupant had to be rescued from a Louisville, Kentucky bridge over the Ohio River in dramatic form. 

Seeing this situation as an opportunity to build upon and seeing a trainable moment, on March 3, 2024 crews from MT86 A-shift simulated the scenario and were able to recreate the incident. 

This type of training and situation is extremely technical and allowed personnel to hone their own high angle rope rescue skills in preparation, should a similar event within the City of Costa Mesa occur. 

Among an impressive audience of regional college faculty, staff, and students, as well as community leaders, public service professionals, and educational philanthropists, Costa Mesa Firefighter Kenji Taniguchi was recently featured as a keynote speaker at the annual Santa Ana College (SAC) Foundation Recognition event.

This event highlighted Profiles in Promise, and Taniguchi shared his inspirational and heartfelt life story from childhood through reaching his dreams.

Taniguchi was joined at the event by his wife, Taylor, along with Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Chief and SAC Foundation Board Member Dan Stefano and his wife, Michelle and Costa Mesa Fire Captain and IAFF Local 1465 President Steve Cathey and his wife Valerie, who were all there representing the Costa Mesa Fire Family. 

A number of others were also in attendance including SAC faculty, staff and students, including SAC President, Dr. Annebelle Nery, SAC Foundation Executive Director Christina Romero, alongside a wide range of other regional and community college and high education advocates, public safety professionals and SAC alumni. 

Click here to read more about Taniguchi.

Recently Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue EMS Captain Justin Horner and Fire Engineer Phil Storey conducted a City of Costa Mesa employee-wide, hands-only CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) training.

The training demonstrated the proper use and operation of the new AED’s, which are strategically placed throughout City Hall and located at all city facilities.

Recognizing the critical role AEDs play in responding to sudden cardiac emergencies, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue (CMFR) procured state-of-the-art devices equipped with advanced features to optimize their effectiveness.

To ensure seamless integration with CMFR’s cardiac/defibrillator monitors and maximize the impact of the new equipment, orientation sessions were conducted for staff at affected facilities. 

Through training opportunities such as this, City staff are provided with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively utilize the upgraded AED’s.

The Parks & Community Services Department has taken proactive measures to enhance the safety and well-being of visitors and patrons across the city’s recreational spaces.

Equipment Maintenance is currently performing minor repairs on unit 515, designated as a reserve truck.

The advantage of it being a reserve truck is that it can be brought into the shop for necessary updates and enhancements while still being available for immediate use.

This provides unique opportunities for the staff to gain more expertise in working on fire apparatus, such as testing various components on the pump panel, diagnosing leaking valves, and testing the operation of the discharge relief valve.

With each successful repair and enhancement, the expertise of our staff grows, ensuring that Unit 515 remains not only a reliable reserve truck but also a testament to our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of equipment readiness.

If you are a local and regional arts organization, artist or teacher, you may be eligible for arts grant funding for projects that take place in Costa Mesa.

Arts Grants awards are available for up to $2,000 for eligible programs and projects.

Important Dates for the Arts Grant Cycle:

• Application Closes: March 11, 2024

• Arts Commission funding review and approval: April 4, 2024

• Project Completion: One year from the date on the Arts Agreement contract executed by the City of Costa Mesa and the applicant. 

For more information visit our website here.

SAVE THE DATE!

Our popular Earth Day Festival returns to City Hall on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Join us for a day of fun activities and sustainable education.

There will be a Fair Housing Foundation workshop on the evening of Wednesday, March 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Community Room at City Hall for members of the Spanish-speaking community.

This is a great opportunity for residents who aren’t already familiar with fair housing requirements to learn about available services and protections.

It is also a good “refresher” for residents who were introduced to fair housing information at one of our previous workshops. 

The Fair Housing Foundation conducts at least two in-person workshops per year in Costa Mesa.

For more information contact the Fair Housing Foundation website here.

Did you know the City of Costa Mesa provides FREE sand and a complimentary bagging station in the southeast corner of the parking lot at City Hall? 

To help the public deal with flooding from rainstorms, members of the Public Works team volunteered to offer these important tips on how to properly fill, bag and stack your sandbags to ensure maximum protection of your property. 

Remember, there is a 15 bag limit for residents when using the bagging station, and please no commercial use.

By working together and being good neighbors, we can help everyone to be rain ready. For more information about city services visit www.costamesaca.gov.

Check out the video here. 

Celebrate Earth Day by turning recyclable and discarded items (stuff that would otherwise end up in a landfill) into a nature inspired piece of upcycled art.

Design and build a work of art made from 100% recycled and discarded goods (this excludes any adhesive or fastening materials) that honors our planet Earth. Animals and scenes of nature from local and national parks are encouraged!

Click here for submission guidelines.

Leaders from the Parks and Community Services Department attended the 2024 Connections: CPRS Conference and Expo in Palm Springs this past week.

While it wasn’t Coachella, it was an amazing opportunity for professional development, learning about creating a sustainable future for the department, unpacking awareness, belonging, purpose, communication techniques, and understanding the impact that Parks staff has on the community.

The crew is excited to share their knowledge with the department and bring the impact of Parkchella to Costa Mesa.

Victoria and Charlotte are 3-year-old, domestic shorthair, sisters.

Both sisters are known to be a little shy, but Victoria is known to take charge when it comes to exploring and meeting new people.

Both cats love to play and would make wonderful companions. The rescue would love to have these ladies adopted together but know that the most important thing is for them to find their forever home.

Victoria and Charlotte are both up to date on their vaccines, microchipped and are spayed. Victoria and Charlotte are located at The Orphanage – Costa Mesa (1536 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92627).

For other adoptable pets, you can visit https://pricelesspetrescue.org/  

Please join Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, the California Highway Patrol, the Costa Mesa Police Department and the City of Costa Mesa for a car seat safety check-up event on Saturday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Costa Mesa City Hall.

Is your child’s car seat installed correctly? Many car seats and booster seats are improperly installed and used.

Don’t miss out on this FREE opportunity to have your child’s care seat checked by certified California High Patrol technicians. Register here.