At the Tuesday, Sept. 1 meeting the City Council will recognize the Newport-Mesa Girls Softball 12U Silver All-Star Team for their winning season.

Additionally, the Council will issue a proclamation recognizing September as Hunger Action Month.

The Council will also hold two public hearings, the first to consider the Planning Commission's approval of a General Plan Amendment to the Sixth Cycle (2021-2029) of the city's Housing Element. 

The Council will also Conduct a public hearing regarding the Orange County Airport Land Use Commission’s

inconsistency determination for the City of Costa Mesa Neighborhoods Where We All Belong Zoning Updates and Housing Element Implementation.

The council meeting starts at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers.

Members of the public can view the City Council meetings in person, or live on Costa Mesa TV (Spectrum Channel 3 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99), on the City’s YouTube Channel, via Zoom or on the City website www.costamesaca.gov. On the website, click the yellow Watch CMTV live button at the top of the page to view the meeting.

On July 22, 2026, the Costa Mesa City Council voted to place Measure C – the Costa Mesa Fair Business License Reform, Small Business Protection Measure on the November 3, 2026, ballot.

The measure would update the City’s 41-year-old business license structure while protecting most small businesses from an increase.

Measure C highlights include:

• Protects small businesses: Businesses with $500,000 or less in annual gross receipts — approximately 72% of Costa Mesa businesses — would not receive an increase.

• Updates a 41-year-old system: The measure would modernize the City’s business license structure so larger businesses contribute more proportionately based on their gross receipts. Businesses with more than $500,000 in annual gross receipts would pay 50 cents per $1,000, with an annual cap of $15,000 for businesses with $30 million or more in gross receipts.

• Does not increase taxes on residents: The measure applies to business licenses and would not increase taxes on Costa Mesa residents.

• Supports locally controlled City services: Measure C is estimated to generate approximately $4.6 million annually for general City services, including maintaining 911, police and fire response; preventing and responding to crime; addressing homelessness; keeping public areas safe and clean; and maintaining roads and infrastructure.

• Keeps funds local: All revenue generated by the measure would remain under local control for the benefit of the Costa Mesa community.

• Requires accountability: The measure includes annual independent financial audits and public disclosure of spending.

Costa Mesa voters will decide Measure C in the Nov. 3, 2026, election.

To learn more about the measure, including how it would affect businesses and how funds could be used, visit CostaMesaCA.gov/MeasureC.

The City of Costa Mesa continues to make important progress toward Housing Element certification.

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the City Council will consider an amendment to the Housing Element to address capacity and highlight implementation progress. 

The Housing Element is a State-mandated chapter of the City’s General Plan that establishes a strategy for addressing local housing needs.

During each eight-year planning cycle, the City is assigned a Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), which identifies the number of housing units the City must plan and zone for at various affordability levels.

The City does not build these housing units; rather, it establishes appropriate zoning to provide opportunities for property owners to develop housing.

Costa Mesa’s RHNA for the 2021–2029 planning period is 11,760 units, ranging from lower-income to above-moderate-income housing. The City adopted its 2021–2029 Housing Element in 2022 and has since been implementing its programs. 

In March 2026, several sites were removed and two sites were added to the Housing Element at the request of property owners.

The proposed September 2026 amendment would update the Housing Element Sites Inventory to ensure the City continues to provide sufficient capacity to accommodate its RHNA, along with a buffer to maintain flexibility as housing opportunities evolve. The amendment also demonstrates the City’s progress in implementing numerous Housing Element programs.

City Council Meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 1

7 p.m.

City Council Chambers

77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

The City Council agenda report for the proposed Housing Element amendment is available online: https://costamesa.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

Information on how to provide public comments to the City Council are included in the meeting agenda.

The construction work to renovate and expand Ketchum-Libolt Park has made significant progress.

Installation of new playground equipment and rubber surfacing, concrete and paver walkways, shade shelters, improved lighting, and other site amenities has been completed.

The contractor is continuing work on the installation of decorative fencing, picnic tables, irrigation, and landscaping.

Lines of poetry have been stamped into the concrete, as has been done at Brentwood Park, continuing to reinforce Costa Mesa’s identity as the “City of the Arts.”

The park commemorates the memory of fallen Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, and their memories will continue with this expansion and renovation of Ketchum-Libolt Park. A major portion of funding for this project was made possible by the funding earmark from the office of State Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris.

The Public Works Department appreciates the cooperation from the City’s residents and constituents in making this park renovation project a success.

The Costa Mesa Historical Society is hosting two FREE and informative events coming in September!

"Remembering September 11th: Our 25 Year Tribute event"

Join the Costa Mesa Historical Society and Orange Coast College for a special 25 Year Tribute commemorating September 11, 2001. This special Speakers Program will feature Angie Kardashian, “The Power of One,” and FDNY Captain Michael Donovan, sharing personal stories of service, courage, and the lasting impact of September 11.

Sunday, September 6, 2026

2:00 p.m.

Orange Coast College Ballroom

Parking Lot C

370 Merrimac Way

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

The other event is a CMHS Historical Bike Tour with Council Member Reynolds.

This free and fun bike tour will visit and learn about public “Utility Box Art” displayed throughout Costa Mesa featuring designs by local artists.

Monday, September 20, 2026

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Meet at the Costa Mesa Historical Society Museum

1870 Anaheim Avenue

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

To RSVP and learn more visit costamesahistory.org.

Check out the latest “Let’s Talk Costa Mesa” episode with Costa Mesa Historical Society President Mikelle Fish promoting these September events here.

Firefighter Kenji Taniguchi recently completed his paramedic training and has started in his new role as Firefighter and Paramedic. 

His paramedic education consisted of 360 hours of classroom education, 168 hours of supervised clinical experience in local hospitals, and 576 hours of paramedic field internship, that evaluated their ability to apply their education to actual medical emergencies.

Upon receipt of his State of California paramedic license and Orange County EMS Agency local accreditation, Taniguchi will begin serving the citizens of Costa Mesa in his new role as Firefighter and Paramedic. 

Thank you to the paramedic preceptors who oversaw and evaluated their field internships which include FF/PM’s Mitch Diamond and Spencer Hibbard.

And a special thank you to EMS Battalion Chief Justin Horner for his leadership, guidance, and coordination throughout this entire process.

CMFR personnel are currently deployed on OES 1607 at the Timber Fire, which has grown to more than 15,000 acres.

Our personnel have been assigned to multiple divisions, including B, K, and D, where crews are actively chasing hot spots, strengthening hand lines, and conducting tactical patrols to help secure the fire perimeter.

We are proud to be part of Strike Team 1863F, working alongside firefighters from Orange, Long Beach, Anaheim, and Huntington Beach.

Our crews continue to work hard alongside firefighters from across the region to protect communities and help bring this fire under control.

Stay safe, stay informed, and thank you to everyone supporting our firefighters on the line.

The City of Costa Mesa Parks & Community Services Department is seeking passionate individuals to join the team at the Downtown Aquatic Center.

We are currently hiring for two exciting positions:

Instructor Lifeguard | $20.00–$24.31/hour

Join us in creating a safe and welcoming aquatic environment. Responsibilities include responding to emergencies, enforcing pool rules, providing excellent customer service, and teaching aquatics classes.

Senior Lifeguard | $23.00–$27.96/hour

Take on a leadership role by overseeing daily pool operations, supervising aquatics programming, and providing outstanding customer service. This role also involves recruiting, training, and evaluating staff members.

Both seasonal and year-round positions are available.

Not lifeguard certified? No worries! American Red Cross certifications may be provided to qualified candidates upon hire.

Ready to dive into a rewarding opportunity with the City of Costa Mesa? Apply today.

Whatchoo Talkin’ ‘Bout Willis, or Willis for short, is a 3 month old, Domestic Shorthair, male cat.

Willis is known as “The Gentle Giant” who is a big boy with an even bigger heart! Willis is playful and loves eating treats. Willis would love to be a part of your family! Willis is up to date on his vaccines.

For additional information about Willis, please contact, WAGS via text message at (714) 887-6156.

Willis is located at The WAGS Pet Adoption Center 6621 Westminster Blvd. | Tuesday through Sunday, 1pm-5pm for adoption tours - walk-ins welcome. To view other adoptable pets, visit, www.wagspetadoption.org.