Monday, September 29, 2014

Hangin' With Public Safety Folks This Week

A COUPLE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES!
There are two opportunities for the residents of Costa Mesa to spend some time with some of the bravest folks you'll ever meet and I didn't want to miss the chance to remind you about them.


COFFEE WITH A COP... AGAIN!
The first event, on Wednesday, October 1st, is the second in what will be a series of "Coffee With A Cop" events.  The flyer below tells you all about it.  I attended the first one earlier this year at McDonalds on Harbor Blvd. and it was a great success.  You'll have a chance to meet some of Costa Mesa's finest, ask questions and express your concerns.  See you at Shirley's Bagels!

PUBLIC SAFETY BBQ THURSDAY
The second event is the annual Public Safety Recognition BBQ, to be held at the Orange County Fair and Event Center from 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2014.

A CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU!
Join the hosts of this wonderful event as the men and women of the Police Department, Fire Department and 911 Communications Center are recognized for their hard work and dedication.  Fun, food, fellowship and raffles, too!  See you there!

Labels: , , , ,

Lighting Kaiser Fields

SOUNDS LIKE A DONE DEAL!
Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 30, 2014, the Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a special meeting beginning at 6:00 in City Council Chambers at City Hall to "discuss" installing temporary portable lighting on several playing fields at Kaiser School on the Eastside of Costa Mesa.  I put that word in quotes because it appears the decision has already been made, so the "discussion" will apparently be the commission telling everyone that it's a done deal.

INFORMATION
You can read the agenda announcement HERE and the skimpy details of the single issue on the agenda HERE.

PER THE CHAIRMAN...
Just to give you a flavor for this issue, Parks and Recreation Chairman Byron de Arakal is quite adament that this IS GOING TO HAPPEN, PERIOD!  In a post on a new Facebook forum, Costa Mesa Public Square, in the middle of a long, long discussion with residents and others on this issue, he posted the following statement:
The residents around Harper have been tolerating - relatively patiently i might add - lights at Harper for the past two years. The CM PRC proposed a rotation system as far back as last spring. It WILL be implemented. Beyond that, as long as i am a commissioner i will prioritize the recreational needs of thousands of kids over the short-term inconvenience of residents. We as a community need to recognize that from time to time we need to endure inconveniences for the greater good of the community.

"SNIPPY"...
For those who have signed up for that forum, when you read down through the 90 comments (and counting) you will find several where the exchanges between The Chairman and others to be, er, testy.  I guess that's to be expected, since this is a very touchy issue.  One participant described some of de Arakal's comments as "snippy" - I agree.  He directed at least one of them at me.  I fear my friend - he's the reason this blog exists - has taken on some of the attributes of his benefactors on the City Council who appointed him to the commission - he just doesn't like folks to challenge his views and/or disagree with him.


RELIEF FOR HARPER SCHOOL NEIGHBORS
The reason for lighting Kaiser School fields is to provide some relief for the residents surrounding Harper School, who have been enduring the intrusion - light spill-over and noise - for the past couple years.  Lighting Kaiser School fields would allow elimination of the Harper School lights.  This decision is driven by the conclusion reached by the commission that we MUST have lighted field for kids to practice soccer on in our city.  Independent analysis by residents of some of the numbers used to support this conclusion raise some interesting questions about their accuracy.

NEWPORT BEACH NOT SHARING BURDEN?
And, added to the mix, is the implication that our friends in Newport Beach are not doing their fair share to provide lighted venues for AYSO 97, which includes large numbers of Newport Beach kids.  I don't have facts to support that segment of the issue, one way or the other. 

A CROWD ANTICIPATED
I expect the council chambers will have more than a few interested parties for this special meeting.  I imagine there will be some of my Eastside neighbors in attendance to address both schools situations.  I'll attend and report.  Because it will be held in council chambers I imagine CMTV will televise the meeting live and also make streaming video available to us later.

Labels: , , , ,

It's That Time Of The Year...

SIGNS OF THE TIMES...
The campaign season is in full swing and, as usual, we're seeing signs popping up like mushrooms all over town.  All manner of sign ordinance violations were visible throughout the city and will likely continue to be so until November 4th, when all the craziness theoretically stops.
NOT JUST COSTA MESA, EITHER
Of course it's not limited to Costa Mesa.  Here's a sign I saw Sunday at the corner of Jamboree Road and Pacific Coast Highway.  I gave up trying to count them...
LAST CHANCE TO SEE THEM...
This week, on Thursday, we will have our final chance to see all the Costa Mesa City Council candidates (except Lee Ramos) respond to questions as a group when my friends and neighbors of the Eastside Costa Mesa Neighbors Group (ECMNG) hosts a candidate forum starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center.  All the information you need is on the flyer below.
CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS IT
This forum has been the subject of controversy lately.  First, at the last one two years ago, Mayor Jim Righeimer took exception to some of the questions asked of candidate Steve Mensinger and, following the forum, cornered the moderator and members of the host organization and read them the riot act.  Many of us who attended that forum thought it was the best of the bunch that time around, just as it had been in the previous cycle.  We're hoping for that same level of professionalism this time, too.

BULLYING
Speaking of reading the riot act, Mensinger returned the favor when he cornered Daily Pilot City Editor Alicia Lopez following the last forum - the Feet To The Fire Forum - and chewed her out for questions she asked Righeimer.  These guys have developed bullying into an art form!

NO CMTV THIS TIME
The ECMNG forum will NOT be televised by the folks at Costa Mesa Television.  The City, apparently bowing to political pressure, has chosen to not cover this event while covering the previous two forums.  The first lame excuse was covered in a press release that told us that another outside law firm had advised them of potential complications.  In fact, the language used was anything but clear.  Then, CEO Tom Hatch offered up yet another lame excuse at a council meeting, blaming Video Production Coordinator Dane Bora for overstepping his grounds during the first forum this year - the one hosted by Mesa Verde Community, Inc. - and covered by CMTV.  It is my understanding that the ECMNG has made private arrangements for television coverage of this event and it will be posted on the Internet promptly.

WHO WILL SHOW UP?
While we presume all the candidates will show up for this one, there have been some rumblings that Righeimer, in addition to Ramos, might not show up.  I actually hope ALL the candidates attend this event.  The voters of this city deserve to hear their positions on important issues in this kind of a setting.

SEE YOU THERE...
I'll remind you later in the week of this event.  See you all there.

Labels: , , ,

Friday, September 26, 2014

Feet To Fire Forum Boycott

FOR SOME BACKGROUND...
In case you already have not heard about this, please read Barbara Venezia's Daily Pilot column, HERE.

ELLIS' CREW
It seems that three of the candidates for Newport Beach City Council seats in November have chosen - apparently on the direction/advice of their campaign advisor, Dave Ellis (he hates it when I call him Dave).

TOO STRANGE BECAUSE...
This is beyond strange, since this version of the series - the final one this cycle - adds to the panel of interrogators Orange County Register columnist and former Newport Beach council candidate Jack Wu and uber Republican insider and operator of the FlashReport site, Jon Fleishman.  Both would seem to be kindred spirits and more likely than not to cut some of their pal, Ellis', stable of candidates some slack.  I don't know for sure, but it seems likely.

SYSTEMIC STIFLING OF DISSENT
It sure looks like the OC GOP hierarchy is peeved at Barbara Venezia for the last Costa Mesa Forum, which can be watched HERE.  It would appear to me that the move to stifle dissent is not constrained to Costa Mesa in the form of Mayor Jim Righeimer and his minions, but looks to be systemic within the leadership of MY Republican Party!  I don't like it one bit!

DON'T KNOW THE GUYS...
I don't believe I know any of the boycotting candidates, but I do know OF a couple of them.  How do you not get a warm, fuzzy feeling when you think of Marshall Duffield of Duffy Boats fame?  And, I've read some of Scott Peotter's stuff in the Newport Beach Independent.  He has been a field representative for lame duck Assemblyman Allan Mansoor.  I don't know squat about Kevin Muldoon, but he must have a few bucks, because Ellis doesn't come cheap.

ELLIS AND GRUDGES
I DO know about Dave Ellis, though.  I have spoken with him a few times, shared a meal with him and the stories about him around these parts are legion!  Did you know, for example, that he advised Leslie Daigle during her Newport Beach council campaign in which Venezia was also a candidate?  Did you know that some of the political shenanigans he pulled during that race that involved the business operated by Venezia's husband so angered her that she dropped out of the race?  Do you think she might be holding a grudge?  I would be, but that's just me.

POLITICAL COWARDICE?
I have NO reason to believe that Venezia would attempt to make life difficult for Ellis' stable of candidates just because they have a personal history.  I DO think it's a cop-out on their part to avoid facing their challengers and members of the media to have important issues fleshed out in a community forum setting.



VOTERS LOSE...
So, the voters of Newport Beach lose on this one.  Because of what certainly looks like institutionalize vindictiveness and political cowardice, nearly half the candidates running will blow off the Feet To The Fire Forum next week at the Oasis Center in Corona del Mar.  What a shame.

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Wrap

NEW MANAGER WELCOMED
The Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission met Thursday evening for what turned out to be a fairly brief affair.  New Recreation Manager Travis Karlen was welcomed as he manned the barricades for his first meeting.  He handled himself well.

 
MEMORIAL TREE AND PLAQUE
The commission accepted the donation and plaque from Melody Freeman in memory of her friend and co-worker, Kimberly Curtis, who passed away recently.  The tree and plaque will be placed in TeWinkle Park.

CURIOUS TREE REMOVAL REQUEST
The first item on the agenda was a tree removal request from the resident at 2016 Arnold Street.  The commission made short work of this item - the decision was made unanimously in less than five (5) minutes to deny the request that the City remove the tree because it is on private property.  I've subsequently heard from the property owner, who was unable to attend the meeting because it fell on a religious holiday.   She tells me she doesn't want the tree removed at all.  She just wants the City to continue to maintain it as has been the case for decades.  She plans to seek relief from this decision.

DIVIDING CITY INTO PARK DISTRICTS
On the issue of dividing the city into five (5) park districts and assigning a district to each commissioner - the brainstorm of Chairman Byron de Arakal - generated some discussion.  The chairman told us he thinks this is a good idea and wants to have it codified in the Municipal Code.  His plan would call for every park to have new signage placed at two entrances to each park in the city which would include the name of the commissioner responsible for that particular park.

ROTATE EVERY TWO YEARS
In his scheme, residents with issues involving a particular park would be in touch with the commissioner via the contact information on the signs.  The commissioner would discuss the issue with the complainant and the staff and, if necessary, bring it to the commission for discussion.  Additionally, each commissioner would be expected to report to the commission on the status of each of their parks twice a year, and be prepared to make recommendations on capital improvements coincident with the annual budget cycle.  The commission decided to have the staff further flesh out this plan and bring it back to the commission for further discussion/fine-tuning.  It may be voted upon in November.

MAYBE, BUT IS IT REALLY NECESSARY?
Here are my thoughts on this.... We've been getting along just fine without this change.  Is it really necessary?  I don't disagree that it's a good idea to assign each commissioner a specific group of parks for which they would be the primary contact.  Some conversation was made about rotating the assigned groups among the commissioners every two years.  That seems like a good idea.  I think putting the names of individual commissioners on the park signs is a bad idea and will cause too much maintenance as commissioners rotate from group to group.  I think the sign should simply refer questions to the Parks and Recreation Department, who could forward them on to the proper commissioner, if necessary.

DONATING TO THE BARK PARK
Next up was the donation of the cost of installing a second exit at the Costa Mesa Bark Park.  The Bark Park Foundation no longer manages the facility, but it has some cash left and Shirley McDaniels, representing the Bark Park Foundation, wanted to contribute the costs of installing the additional entrance.  The commission discussed this for a few minutes, then agreed unanimously to accept the donation and instructed staff to assist with the installation of the new entrance.

NEW EASTSIDE MONUMENT SIGNS
Then came the discussion of the new 19th Street Monument Signs that would be installed in concert with the 19th Street Improvement project.  That project, which would be funded by nearly $900,000 in grant dollars, will strangle traffic along the stretch of 19th Street from the city border at Irvine Avenue all the way to Fullerton Avenue, near the terminus of the 55 Freeway.  Monument signs would be placed at either end of the project.  The image you see here is the final selection.  The commission voted to move this project forward with the selected signs.  A couple residents, including 19th Street resident, realtor and President of the Eastside Costa Mesa Neighbors Group, Jeff McConville, spoke in favor of this plan.

BRISTOL STREET PROJECT
The final item on the agenda was Transportation Services Manager Raja Sethuraman's report on the nearly half-million dollar Bristol Street Media Project.  Grant dollars will be used for this project, too.  The goal is to make that roadway safer and beautify it at the same time.  The plan was approved on a 5-0 vote.

SUCCESSFUL SUMMER ACTIVITIES
New Recreation Manager Karlen gave his report on the status of summer activities in the city.  I won't give you all the statistics, but will observe that most youth-oriented programs - Teen Camp, R.O.C.K.S, ECP (early childhood program), Summer Day Camp were almost all over-subscribed with some waiting lists.  Regarding the Neighborhood Community Center, Karlen reported that in July and August more than 17,000 people were served by that facility and it generated more than $27,000 in revenue.  This, you will recall, is the facility that your mayor described as underutilized as a reason for planning to convert it into a library.  Somebody needs to take a much, much closer look at that situation because I've heard no plan that replaces that space for the residents.

SENIOR CENTER SPRUCE UP
Karlen also reported on the Senior Center and the hostile takeover (my words) of that facility this month.  Plans are afoot to spruce up the place, with new carpet and some new furniture.  He told us more than 900 people have signed up to become members since June. (Note some of the names on this plaque from the Senior Center Building)

LIGHTING KAISER SCHOOL FIELDS?
During commissioner reports mention was made about a "lighting demonstration" that apparently occurred last night somewhere in the city.  Apparently there will be a meeting next Tuesday, September 30, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in council  chambers to discuss lighting the fields at Kaiser School on the Eastside of town.  I expect the contiguous neighbors will receive notices of this one - and we plan to be there to hear the message.

PUBLIC ART?
Commissioner Bob Graham apparently visited the Newport Beach City Hall recently and viewed a large display of public art at the site. He suggested we consider doing something similar throughout the city.  He specifically mentioned Fairview Park.

OUSTING VAPING AND GEEZER ACTIVITIES
Chairman de Arakal also mentioned he wants to begin considering banning "vaping" - the use of electronic cigarettes - in all parks throughout the city.  He also wants to consider using the Senior Center Parking Lot for some kind of outdoor recreation facility for the Seniors.  He mentioned lawn bowling.

Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Feet To The Fire - Tired Of Waiting***

 WAITING FOR COVERAGE
Yesterday I spoke with Costa Mesa's Director of Communication, Bill Lobdell, about the video coverage of the Feet To The Fire Forum held last Thursday, September 18th at Orange Coast College.  I had hoped to provide you with a link to the streaming video of that event, plus other information.  He told me the streaming video would be available "soon".  Well,  it has been nearly a week and it's still not up and I'm tired of waiting for it.

ME
You can read what I wrote about that event HERE.

BRAD
You can read what Bradley Zint wrote about it in the Daily Pilot, HERE.

CHRIS
You can read the real-time live blogging done for the OC Political Blog by Chris Nguyen, HERE.

KOCI-FM AUDIO
You can hear the audio coverage from radio station KOCI-FM by clicking HERE, then on the audio link.

3RD PARTY VIDEO
You can view a third party video of the event in two segments, HERE and HERE.  It's not high quality video, and it doesn't capture every word, but it's better than nothing.

CMTV COVERAGE ON TELEVISION
You can watch the CMTV presentation on Channel 3 (Time Warner Cable) or Channel 99 (ATT U-Verse) starting next week on the schedule listed below:

***
AS PROMISED
And, if it ever becomes available, I will provide a link for the CMTV streaming video at this location.  You can link to the CMTV coverage HERE.

COSTA MESA BRIEF COVERAGE ADDED, TOO
And, I apologize to my pal, old Barry Friedland, for overlooking the coverage he and his "staff" provided at the forum.  They have produced 28 minutes of before-and-after interviews recorded at the event.  There is no coverage of the forum, per se, but it does provide some interesting - if one-sided - perspective.  You can view it on YouTube HERE.
Enjoy.

Labels: , , , , ,

Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Preamble

READ THE AGENDA
Thursday night, September 25, 2014, the Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its monthly meeting to do the City's business, so to speak.  You can read the agenda HERE.

A QUICK PEEK...
Just to give you an idea of what they will consider at this meeting, I'll skip quickly through the agenda items and provide links to each so you can review them in greater detail if you wish.  I'll be at the meeting and will provide you a report tomorrow evening some time.

In order of the schedule, the commission will consider the following:

MEMORIAL TREE AND PLAQUE
Item 6a,  HERE, which is part of the Consent Calendar, is the request for a memorial plaque and tree planting at TeWinkle Park.

TREE REMOVAL REQUEST
Item 9a, HERE, is a tree removal request at 2016 Arnold Street.  The tree is on private property so the staff is recommending denial of the request.

PARK SIGNAGE AND DISTRICTS DISCUSSION
Item 9b, HERE, is probably the most interesting item on the agenda.  This is the discussion of City Park Signage and  Establishment of Park Districts floated by Chairman Byron de Arakal recently.  Personally, I'm not convinced this is the way to go, but I'm interested in hearing the debate.

DOG PARK EXIT
Item 9c, HERE, is the proposed donation of a secondary exit to the large dog area of the Bark Park.

19TH STREET MONUMENT SIGN
Item 9d, HERE, is the proposal for the East 19th Street Monument Sign that would be part of the proposed traffic calming plan for that stretch of 19th Street from the City border at Irvine Avenue to Fullerton Street, near the intersection with Newport Boulevard.  This is my part of town and I'm going to be very curious to see how a monument sign will fit in what is going to be a narrowed portion of 19th Street at Irvine Avenue. 

BRISTOL STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Item 9e, HERE, is the Bristol Street Median Project, which consists of improvements along that street from Baker Street and Newport Boulevard and includes some enhancements between Baker Street and Randolph Avenue.  The staff report shows plant palettes and the details of this nearly half-million dollar project, which is being completed using Highway Safety Improvement Program (HISP) grant funding.

Labels: , , ,