Sunday, February 08, 2015

Big Week In Costa Mesa

A BUSY WEEK AHEAD
Another big week is ahead for us government watchers in Costa Mesa.  Here's a quick recap of what's ahead.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY
Monday, February 9, 2015 is the first meeting of the Costa Mesa Planning Commission, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers.  You can read that agenda HERE.  First returning commissioner Jeff Mathews and new appointee Stephan Andranian will be sworn-in.  Then a new Chairman and Vice Chairman will be selected.  One presumes that current Vice Chairman Rob Dickson will be chosen as the Chairman.  That's probably a good choice since he seems to go about his job in a very business-like manner, always seems prepared and always seems able to frame a position clearly.  Vice Chair is another matter.  I won't be at all surprised if former Chairman Colin McCarthy is selected.

THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS
There are three public hearings.  I won't go into too much detail, except to provide you with links to the staff report and a short idea of what's involved.  I'll report on the meeting later.

Public Hearing #1, HERE, is the conversion of four rental condos into ownership units at 191 - 199 Orange Avenue, across from the Santa Ana Country Club, using the Small Lot Ordinance.

Public Hearing #2, HERE, is the demolition of the current Burger King restaurant at 3150 Harbor Blvd. and the construction of a brand new "Raising Cane's" drive-thru chicken place.

Public Hearing #3, HERE, is the request to demolish the kiosk at the 76 gas station at 2281 Newport Blvd. (at Fairview Drive) and erect a 1,190 square foot convenience store at the location.

SPECIAL BUDGET STUDY SESSION
Tuesday, February 10, 2015, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1A at City Hall is the Special Budget Study Session.  You can read the agenda HERE.  This is a very important meeting because the council will discuss any mid-year corrections to be made to the fiscal direction of the city.  Public comments are much more limited during a study session.

TWO SEGMENTS - LOTS OF INFORMATION
The agenda is broken into two sections, the Financial and Budget Policies section, HERE; and the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Mid-Year Budget Report, HERE.  Please follow the links on each of those for very informative charts and more data.  The second segment, in particular, has a number of additional attachments with very valuable information.

BIG BUDGET SURPLUS
When you read the staff reports you'll find a huge increase in the fund balance - to more than $9.6 million - and the staff's recommendations on how to allocate those dollars.  Interestingly, none include paying anything toward the much-bemoaned unfunded pension liability.  It will be interesting to see how the conversation goes Tuesday.  There will be as second study session on the budget on Tuesday, February 24th.

CONSOLIDATED PLAN WORKSHOP
On Thursday, February 12, 2015, the City will hold another Consolidated Plan Workshop from 6-8 p.m. at the new, recently spiffed-up Costa Mesa Senior Center at 695 W. 19th Street.  You may recall the first workshop received only short notice a couple weeks ago.  If you have questions call Mike Linares at 714-754-5678.  Here's the City graphic, including a map.  Click on the image to enlarge it.
CLOSED FOR PRESIDENTS' DAY NEXT MONDAY
Incidentally, the City Hall will be closed again next Monday, February 16, 2015 for the Presidents' Day Holiday.

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4 Comments:

Anonymous Teresa Drain said...

Your tax dollars spent from the CEO's slush fund:
$42,000 Charter/I-405 mailing
$19,022 Charter/I-405 printing
$10,000 i-Pads, conferences, etc.
$10,000 Snack Bar improvements

Amount spent on a forensic audit of the 60th Anniversary to find what happened to the receivables, and if all vendors paid for their booths*: $0.00

*BTW: no, they did not.

2/08/2015 11:58:00 PM  
Blogger Joe said...

Geoff,
Agree that Dickson is intelligent and efficient, but is he not just another rigbot following the Tea Party/extremist agenda?

2/09/2015 08:45:00 AM  
Blogger Honeyman said...

My take of Dickson is that he is the best of the worst. If this is the planning commission we will have for the next 2 years, he might as well be the chairman. I do expect a diligent approach...and also a rubber stamp for anything Riggy wants.

One thing in his favor is he is currently being demeaned on the Nazi's website. Every so often I like to torture myself and see what the disgusting Millard is spewing and in checking his filth today, I see he is on a rant about Dickson. If that pile of human garbage doesn't like him, he's A-OK in my book!

2/09/2015 09:39:00 AM  
Anonymous Casual Viewer said...

Consider attending the budget study session. The council majority, despite Jim's claim to be a fiscal conservative, seems to want to spend the city into bankruptcy leaving reserves near recession levels. Where is the money going? Not to public safety.

2/09/2015 12:58:00 PM  

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