Mayor John Stephens and Council Member Loren Gameros on Friday, Nov. 4, honored veteran Johnny Rojas at Assembly Member Cottie Petrie-Norris' Veterans of the Year ceremony at Irvine Valley College.

Rojas, a veteran of the U.S. Army, serves the veteran community as the chapter president for Orange County’s Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals.

Rojas is a member of American Legion Post 291 and is currently a Planning Commissioner for the City of Costa Mesa. 

Congratulations, to Johnny Rojas for being named the 2022 Costa Mesa Veteran of the Year by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris.

On Thursday, Nov. 3, the first ever Arts Commission in the City of Costa Mesa, held its inaugural meeting for the City of the Arts.

City Clerk Brenda Green officially swore in the new Commissioners, who then appointed the first official Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Arts Commission.

The new commissioners are:

 

The City is looking forward to taking the next steps in the continued growth and development of the Arts in Costa Mesa!

Thanks to the City Council for making this a reality, and to all the staff who worked to get this newest Commission in place!

At Tuesday’s meeting in honor of Veteran’s Day, Mayor John Stephens and the City Council presented a proclamation to Jodie Merkle, who along with her husband Chris founded the Orange County Chapter of Team Red, White and Blue, which supports local military veterans.

The Council was prompted to issue the proclamation by Mayor Pro-Tem Andrea Marr, who herself is a veteran and former lieutenant in the U.S. Navy.

Veterans Day is next Friday, Nov. 11.

The Council also issued a proclamation in honor of Native American Heritage Month.

The City of Costa Mesa celebrated another financial accolade this week from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for the presentation of its Excellence in Financial Reporting Award, the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting a City can receive.

The Certificate of Achievement award, which the City of Costa Mesa has received for 24 consecutive years, is for the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

“I thank the GFOA for this prestigious recognition,” Mayor John Stephens said. “This further demonstrates that we fulfilled our stated City Council goal to achieve long-term fiscal sustainability. I’m proud of my City Council colleagues as well as our City staff for making tough decisions at the right time to ensure Costa Mesa has a bright financial future.”

Click here for more.

Starting tomorrow Nov. 5, Costa Mesa City Hall will be one of four City Vote Centers where voters can cast their ballot for the Nov. 8 election. In addition to City Hall, Costa Mesa has Vote Centers at the Senior Center, and Balearic and Norma Hertzog Community Centers.

There are 144 Vote Centers throughout Orange County.

To find a Vote Center near you, visit ocvote.gov/locate.

"I love voting day. I love the sight of my fellow citizens lining up to make their voices heard."

Last week on Tuesday Oct. 25, Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens and Council Member Arlis Reynolds were joined by civic leaders and representatives from the non-profit organization Human Options in a walking vigil to help raise awareness and show support for victims of domestic violence.

Following a brief ceremony attendees held candles and walked the lawn at Lions Park, which was dotted with signs displaying statistics about the impact relationship violence has on all walks of life.

If you or someone you know needs help now call this 24-hour toll free hotline 7 days a week: 877-854-3594. For more information and additional support services visit HumanOptions.org.

See the ceremony and walking vigil in its entirety here: 

On Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, the City of Costa Mesa and the County of Orange kicked off the Talbert Regional Park Restoration Project, which is a multi-year, joint effort to remove homeless encampments and restore the environment at Talbert Regional Park located at 1298 Victoria Street.

The restoration project is being subsidized with a $3.5M grant as part of the State’s Encampment Resolution Funding Program.

For more information regarding the City’s response to homelessness, please click here.

The foundation of the City of Costa Mesa’s response to homelessness is community outreach through involvement and engagement.

To accomplish this, Costa Mesa deploys first responders who meet people experiencing homelessness in all areas of the city. 

Whether a call for service from the community, or just seeing someone possibly in need, this is where they engage the often less fortunate with compassion and empathy. They often help facilitate each individual’s unique journey from the streets to a home. 

In addition to Costa Mesa Community Outreach Workers, the City Code Enforcement staff, and CityNet Outreach Workers, the Costa Mesa Police Department’s Community Policing Unit (CPU) is also an integral part of this outreach effort.

The CPU consists of four officers and a supervisor whose areas of focus include assisting people experiencing homelessness, addressing quality-of-life issues, collaborating with partners to address long-term community problems, and crime prevention as well as enforcement. 

 

To contact the NHS regarding a homelessness-related matter, please call (714) 574-5346 Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or send an email to costamesanhs@costamesaca.gov.

The Costa Mesa Police Department has added a new member to its team. From a recruit to an officer, join us in welcoming our newest team member.

 

On Oct. 27, Officer Banks graduated from the Orange County Sheriff Regional Training Academy Class #251.

The Sheriff’s Training Academy is considered one of the most challenging law enforcement academies in the nation. The 26-week academy includes intensive training and exercise. In addition to earning the Outstanding Firearms Skills Award, Officer Banks ranked first in his class overall, earning him the Outstanding Graduate Award.

 

Officer Banks will now begin his field training with a Field Training Officer. If you see Officer Banks out in the community, be sure to wave hello.

 

Congratulations, Officer Banks, and welcome to the City and Police team.

Let’s talk about e-bikes again.

This time, about bicycle safety. Here are some simple tips. We understand you might still wear headphones while on your bike, just make sure you can hear traffic.

 

Last week, the Costa Mesa Police Department shared a graphic about e-bikes and many asked if e-bikes are allowed on sidewalks.

 

To answer, e-bikes are regulated at a state level. At this time, there are no laws that specifically address e-bikes on sidewalks. E-bikes are categorized: Type 1 and Type 2 can go up to 20 mph; and Type 3, only for cyclists 16 and older, can go up to 28 mph. Type 3 e-bikes are not intended for bike paths like sidewalks.

 

The department suggests you don’t ride an e-bike where you would not ride a moped.

This week, in anticipation of Daylight Savings ending this weekend, the Traffic Safety Bureau was out in the Costa Mesa community and passed out bike lights to cyclists of all ages. 

It will soon be darker out at an earlier time and the Traffic Safety Bureau wants to make sure cyclists are visible at night for their safety.

Per the California Vehicle Code 21201, cyclists need to use a bicycle light at night. Bikes need a front white light and a rear red reflector.

On Friday, Oct. 28, just after 3 a.m., Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a working structure fire at the intersection of Del Mar and Elden.  

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue crews arrived and reported a single family dwelling with a well-involved garage fire with notable fire extension into the living quarters. Crews immediately initiated an aggressive firefighting attack and a thorough search for residents. The fire was extinguished without extension to any other structures.

One resident was transported to a burn center by firefighter/paramedics and no other injuries were noted. 

The Red Cross were on scene to provide services to any displaced residents. 

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue received assistance from our partners at Newport Beach Fire.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

On Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, around 10:30 a.m., Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue units were dispatched with Costa Mesa Police Department units to a reported vehicle accident at the intersection of Kalmus and Redhill Ave.

Upon arrival, units located a collision involving three vehicles, with one vehicle on its side. Costa Mesa Truck 86 crew used the Jaws of Life to safely extricate and pull a patient from the vehicle.

Patients were assessed and treated on scene. One patient was transported to a regional trauma receiving center and one patient was transported to a nearby hospital receiving center.

Responding units included Costa Mesa Engine 81, Costa Mesa Truck 86 with assistance from our neighboring partners Newport Beach Fire and strong work from our partners the Costa Mesa Police Department, who secured the scene to provide scene safety support with active vehicle traffic control, including being the lead for the vehicle accident investigation.

On Saturday, Nov. 19, starting at 8 a.m., the City will be partnering with Caltrans, State Sen. Dave Min and Assembly Member Cottie Petrie-Norris and Goodwill Industries to host a Clean California Dump Day event.

Residents can drop off bulky household items that day free of charge at Sonora Elementary School, 966 Sonora Road, Costa Mesa.

Caltrans staff will be there to collect household items that are too big for residential trash bins.

No hazardous waste, e-waste or other items will be accepted.

Courtyard improvements at the Norma Hertzog Community Center (NHCC) have been completed.

The new courtyard includes a concrete pathway, seating improvements, enhanced lighting, aesthetic landscaping, and irrigation improvements. The new courtyard features a concrete patio with seating and tables, beautified landscaping, and new accent lighting. 

The Public Works Department is committed to advancing the City’s facilities and maintaining infrastructure that improves the quality of life of its community stakeholders.

Construction has begun for the curb extension (or “bulb-out”) at the northwest corner of Placentia Avenue and West 19th Street.

Bulb-outs are intended to extend the sidewalk to narrow the roadway and provide additional pedestrian space and visibility.

By increasing available space for pedestrians and narrowing the roadway, the bulb-out at Placentia Avenue and West 19th Street will shorten crossing distances, improve visibility, and encourage motorists to drive at slower speeds.

In addition, this newly constructed bulb-out adds aesthetic value in this highly traveled corridor.

The City appreciates the cooperation of its community stakeholders for this project.

 Winter Class Registration has begun!

 

Ready for change? Looking to explore new activities and sports this winter? Enroll in winter classes with the City of Costa Mesa. Get started with a new hobby or activity with a top-notch instructor.

 

Registration has begun for Costa Mesa Residents so visit cmclassesonline.com for an assortment of fun!

West Coast School of Arts presents dance for children age 3-12.

Introduce your child to pre-ballet, ballet, tap/jazz combo, jazz and more! Your child will learn from award winning instructors in a friendly and warm environment where creativity flows freely.

 

Register now at cmclassesonline.com.

Special Edition 1-Day Camp returns this spring during Newport-Mesa Unified School District's conference week on Wednesday, March 15.

Sign up now to join in on a fun-filled day with arts and crafts, games, sports and guest entertainment.

The 1-Day Camp operates from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Balearic Community Center for youth in kindergarten through 6th grade. 

 

Registration is available online at www.cmclassesonline.com or in person at City Hall or the Downtown Recreation Center. For program information, please call (714) 754-5161.

BeFit Basketball returns this January teaching participants the basic basketball skills and teamwork in a friendly, non-competitive environment with two clinic-based practices during the week, along with an official game at the end of the season.

Registration is free and available online at bit.ly/CMBBCheer or in-person at the Balearic Community Center.

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

Learn the basic fundamentals of cheerleading and dance by joining the BeFit Cheer Squad.

Clinic-based practices will focus on chants and dance routines for the end of the season performance at the BeFit Basketball final game.

Registration is free and available online at bit.ly/CMBBCheer or in-person at the Balearic Community Center.

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

“Jurassic” Parks & Community Services staff participated in Power of One Foundation’s annual Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Staff transformed the Mobile Recreation Van into a Jurassic Park themed area that provided more than 4,000 attendees with candy, crafts, and a photo booth.

Power of One Foundation partnered with IKEA-Costa Mesa, City of Costa Mesa, and City of Santa Ana to provide a free event consisting of trick-or-treating, kids costume contest, music, raffle, and food trucks.  

Not sure about your child's car seat?

Pop over to Costa Mesa City Hall this Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon to have it checked the CHP. Costa Mesa Police Department staff will also be on hand to provide safety tips.

The Car Seat Safety Check-Up is sponsored by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. See you there!