Measure AA Immediately Impacts Parks Commission Business

DIMINISHED COMMISSION AND SHORT AGENDA
The Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission met Thursday night to discuss a small agenda.  Chairman Brett Eckles was absent, so Vice Chair Bob Graham conducted the meeting.  It didn't take long for Measure AA, the ballot measure that is passing overwhelmingly, to impact this meeting.

FIX THE ARROYO
Resident Kim Hendricks spoke during Public Comments addressed the problems at Fairview Park regarding the illegal filling of an arroyo, provided historical photos to illustrate the issue.  She asked that the arroyo be restored to it's natural state.

DE ARAKAL PRAISES MENSINGER AND MONAHAN
During Commissioner Comments Byron de Arakal addressed his admiration for both Steve Mensinger and Gary Monahan.  Regarding Mensinger he said, "Whether you like him or don't like him or you don't like the policies he's advancing or you do, there's nobody that's ever sat on this council that's cared more or worked harder than he has to improve the City of Costa Mesa."  He went on to further praise his work in youth sports and also thanked Mensinger's family.  He then went on to state that he, de Arakal, owed his career in public service to Monahan, who asked him to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission back in 2003.  He said, "No one has achieved more for this city as a councilman or woman than Gary Monahan."  He closed by wishing Sandra Genis, John Stephens and Allan Mansoor all the best on the City Council.  As most of you who read these pages know, Byron de Arakal is my friend and the reason you're reading this.  We don't always agree on issues, but we can always talk about them.  In this case, while I appreciate his loyalty to his friends and views on Mensinger and Monahan, I think they were over the top when you consider the long list of outstanding municipal leaders this city has had in more than 60 years of existence.  Just sayin'...

MERCURIO PRAISES FRANCIS
Commissioner Julie Mercurio thanked Assistant CEO Rick Francis for his role in defusing some kind of a  unity  protest gathering scheduled at Wilson Park today, Friday.  She spoke about how "the community" - I'm thinking she was referring to the denizens of her Costa Mesa Public Square Facebook page - "reached out" to the organizers and made it clear that such an event wasn't appropriate for Wilson Park, so they decided to move it to Civic Center Park, across the street from the Police Headquarters.  This, apparently, is where Francis became involved following contact by "the community" with city officials.  She went on at length to explain his role in getting the event cancelled.

PEDERSON CONGRATULATES THE WINNERS, CRITICIZES CRITICS
Commissioner Kim Pederson also congratulated the successful candidates, then used his time to complain about critics of public officials.  He cautioned the public to drive safely over the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday.

GRAHAM GRATEFUL, TOO
Graham also congratulated the successful candidates and thanked the staff.

SHIFFER PARK CELL SITE CHANGES CONTINUED TO JANUARY
Commissioner Byron de Arakal moved to continue the item on the agenda regarding the modification of a Cell Site at Shiffer Park until their meeting in January, 2017.  That passed, 4-0.

TREE REMOVAL REQUEST DENIED, BUT...
Next up was the tree removal request at 360 Bucknell Drive.  This is the second consecutive meeting the applicant has requested this removal.  This had been pushed off so the staff could ascertain the property lines and setbacks at this location to determine if the City or the applicant owns that tree.  Turns out the City owns the tree.  After a short discussion it was moved to deny the removal request and direct the staff to work with the applicant to firm up pruning schedules and the possible application of a pre-emergent herbicide.

FAIRVIEW PARK ANNUAL REPORT, BUT WAIT - MEASURE AA
Before City Engineer Bart Mejia could present the remaining issue, the Fairview Park Annual Report, de Arakal advised the commission that he was going to move that this item be continued until at least January.  He launched into a long explanation about why - that Measure AA may impact plans for existing projects planned for the park, so he wanted the City Attorney to review and provide direction.   (See below)

SERIOUS BLUFF EROSION
Public Comments were heard before a motion could be presented.  Bill Bowman spoke to the commission about a problem he's having with the bluff erosion at his home above Talbert Nature Preserve and Fairview Park.  He spoke at length about the work he's had to do - lugging 46,000 buckets of dirt and sand bags to stabilize his slope for fear it would fail.  His area is part of the West Bluff restoration project, so it will be reviewed as that project proceeds, if it proceeds. (see below)

RESTORE THE DARN VERNAL POOLS!
Kim Hendricks again spoke, reminding the commission that residents want the vernal pools restored, wants the city staff to go after grants and that the residents have spoken loud and clear with Measure AA.

CONTINUE TO JANUARY AND MORE
Following discussions about these items de Arakal reiterated his motion.  Specifically, here's the complete text of his motion: "To continue this item to our January meeting.  That we recommend to the City Council that they ask the City Attorney to provide a legal opinion on which projects listed in the Fairview Park Annual Report dated November 10th, 2016 would fall under the provisions of Measure AA and report back to us at that January meeting on that legal opinion.  And then recommend to staff to reconvene the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee as soon as possible.  Have them examine the work they've done to date and the work they need to do to complete their work with respect to the provisions of Measure AA and provide their report to the commission on their recommendations for Fairview Park Master Plan at our April, 2017 meeting." Julie Mercurio seconded it.  We're presuming that the legal opinion must precede any meetings by the committee and it's highly unlikely that the committee could be brought back together before the year-end holidays.  And, how many of them are left?  Will they have to add members.  Will Steve Smith be in charge?  So many questions...

CRITICIZING CRITICS
Before a vote could be taken Commissioner Pederson launched into a mini-rant, criticizing speakers before them - he was looking directly at Kim Hendricks at the time - who purport to speak for all residents of the city.

The vote was then taken and it passed, 4-0.

PARKS REPORTS
Bart Mejia and Tom Coughlin(sp?)then provided a report on parks and maintenance of them.

GOOD-BYE, NCC
Recreation Manager Justin Martin provided an overview of the recreation programs and upcoming events.  One thing he mentioned was that the Neighborhood Community Center will be closed the end of the year in preparation for the $30+million complete renovation of the Lions Park - new library, re-purposing the existing Donald Dungan Branch Library building as a community center and major landscaping changes.  He said all the existing users have been able to find meeting spaces elsewhere for the duration of the renovations.

ADJOURNED UNTIL JANUARY
The 70 minute meeting was adjourned to January, 2017.

Short Parks & Rec. Commission Meeting

A SHORT MEETING ANTICIPATED
The Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission met again on Thursday, October 27, 2016 for what we expected to be a very short meeting because of the nature of the agenda.

NO PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were NO public comments and most of the commissioners either had no comments or reserved their comments until their Park Report later in the meeting.

CONSENT CALENDAR
They made quick work of the Consent Calendar - a request for two plaques and trees honoring two women who served the community as members of the Historical Society.  The vote was 5-0.

TREE REMOVAL REQUEST - WHY?
The tree request on the agenda was a very strange situation.  Apparently nobody is sure whether the tree in question is a city tree or if it belongs to the homeowner, Ms. Humphries.  After a short discussion the commission decided to direct staff to determine who owns the tree and, if the city owns is, the applicant can return at the November meeting to plead her case.  If it is determined that she actually owns the tree she can remove it any time she wishes.

SHIFFER PARK CELL SITE EXPANSION
The item involving the possible expansion of an existing cell tower installation at Shiffer Park and, again, it was a curious discussion.  The commissioners discussed it at length and were frustrated by the fact that the applicant was not present to answer some of he important questions.  Interim Public Services Director Raja Sethuraman attempted to field questions about timing and scheduling to the City Council.  The discussion went round and round and the frustration about not having enough information information to make a proper decision.  Byron de Arakal made a motion to continue this issue until the November meeting at which time they expect the applicant to be ready with answers to many of the questions that were creating heartburn for the commissioners.  Julie Mercurio made a substitute motion to simply reject the proposal - it died for lack of a second.  de Arakal's motion passed, 5-0

PARK TOUR REPORTS
Next came the Park Tour Reports - information from each commissioner on each of the parks in their own individual districts.  Mercurio disappeared at this time and never returned.  I guess an hour was all she had in her tank last night.

DISTRICT 1
First up was Commissioner de Arakal, for Parks District #1.  There are 7 parks in this district.

• Raleigh Park is a small park in good shape.  
• Tanager Park has some issues that de Arakal wants to discuss with members of the community early next year.  
• Civic Center Park is in good shape.  de Arakal wants to propose meandering trails and benches through the park if their is community support.  
• Jack Hammett Sports Complex were described as being in phenomenal shape.  He mentioned the planned replacement of two of the fields with artificial turf and also addressed the need maintenance for drainage and rain gutters on the bathrooms. 
• Ketchum-Libolt Park is a pocket park that needs maintenance - paint and rust.  He would like to see some lighting from a security standpoint.  He was concerned that the memorial plaque has been defaced.  
• Wilson Park was described as "fair".  Equipment is good.  Playground is in good shape.  Some trees are dead.  Ongoing issue is transients and homeless folks in the park.  de Arakal complained about the circumstances that have caused the transients to exist on our streets.  He mentioned AB 109, Prop. 47 and Prop 57 on this current ballot.  He said Governor Brown and the folks in Sacramento have no moral compass.  The folks around Wilson Park simply cannot use their park because of the homeless and other transients.  He wants Assistant CEO Rick Francis and his team to come before the commission to describe what is being done.  He specifically stated, "We need to take our parks back."  
• TeWinkle Park is overall in excellent condition.  He was particularly effusive about the condition of the lakes and fountains.  He was concerned about the pumps not working in the upper pond and there was leakage in another pond.  He mentioned the need for maintenance of bridges.  He said there was money in the capital improvement budget to replace them this year.
• TeWinkle Athletic Complex was in good shape with some minor maintenance issues - light fixtures in the bathrooms and an exposed electrical outlet.  
• The Skate Park was in excellent condition, but he was very concerned about the violation of the rules of the park.  He specifically cited folks on bikes in the bowls, which are forbidden.  When he broached the fact to the riders he was told, "To go have sexual relations with myself." - his words.  He is very concerned about limited enforcement at the park.  He said it's out of control.  He expressed the view that we didn't need mirrors in the bathrooms because they have become graffiti canvas.  
• The Bark Park is in good shape.  He specifically praised the improvements made recently to the Small Dog Park.

DISTRICT 3
Vice Chair Bob Graham reported on District 3 which consists of 6 parks on the Eastside of town. 

• He first spoke about Heller Park in glowing terms.  He gave it an "A" rating.
  Pinkley Park is a larger park which he gave a "C" rating.  He suggested creating some kind of a "recognition wall" in this park.  He is concerned that there are no restrooms in this park.
•  Harper Park is carved out of school property on Tustin Avenue.  This also has no restrooms.
  Jordan Park, which includes the Boys and Girls Club.  He expressed concerns about the actual ownership of the park - the City or the club?  He felt parking was a problem.  He gave it a "B" rating.
  Lindbergh Park is part of a school complex.  Restrooms are available at the school.  He gave it a "B" rating.
  Brentwood Park has no restrooms nor swings but he described it as a great park.  He mentioned a Master Plan for the park.  He gave it a "C" rating.

DISTRICT 4
Commissioner Kim Pederson reported on District 4 parks - also 6 parks in the north part of the city.
Del Mesa Park, Gisler Park, Paularino Park, Shiffer Park, Wakeham Park and Wimbledon Park.  He cited a need for bike racks.  He opined that there should be a clean-up fee for rentals to be sure the residue from the rental activity is properly cleaned-up. 

• Del Mesa Park seemed well-used with a lot of areas for picnicing.  He was concerned about wood rotting. 
• Gisler Park needs a gate to curtail speeders at night.  He also cited the need for drinking fountains and a shade structure for the play area.  He cited a need for workout equipment. 
• Paularino Park needs the replacement of the shade structure, which is termite-eaten.  He expressed a preference for BBQs and the need to improve signage and add drinking fountains. 
• Schiffer Park needs upgrades in the restrooms and play areas. 
• Wakeham Park could use some split rail fencing in the park to enhance the appeal.  He said we need some boulders - kids love big rocks to climb on and no maintenance.  Also needs shade structure. 
• Wimbledon Park needs new playground equipment, drinking fountains and benches. 

DISTRICT 5
Chair Brett Eckles discussed District 5. Shalimar Park is the smallest park in this district and is very heavily used.  Unfortunately, the picnic table was removed due to damage caused by vandals. 

• Fairview Park is our biggest park and has had a lot of attention paid to it.  He cited recent CIP budgeted amounts, including storm drains, on-call environmental services, plant establishment and pond maintenance, west bluff repair and more. 
• Canyon Park opens up into Talbert Nature Reserve and you can walk for hours.  It's a well-used park with plenty of amenities but no restrooms nor shade structures. 
• Marina View Park was being well-used at the end of 19th Street with many amenities including a large grass play area.  
• Vista Park is his personal favorite, which provides an outstanding view of the ocean and Huntington Beach.  This 7 acre park has a restroom and many other amenities.  It does have "homelessness" challenges caused by low visibility and proximity to homeless encampments at Talbert Park.  Restroom needs paint and he suggests adding a Veterans Memorial. 
• Lions Park is an incredible site with the new community center/library complex underway, plus Davis Field.  It has a restroom and picnic tables.  He cited the ongoing homelessness issues that plague the park and maintenance issues.

DISTRICT 2
As mentioned above, Commissioner Julie Mercurio disppeared as de Arakal began his report and never returned so Eckles gave an abbreviated report on her parks in District 2.

• Estancia Park has had several projects completed, including bike racks installed near the restrooms.  Plans also exist to install electric hand dryers in the restrooms.
• Mesa Verde Park have plans to improve the shade shelter.
• Moon Park will be impacted by an upcoming 405 Freeway on/off ramp project
• Smallwood Park have funding to resurface the basketball ares and areas around the playground.
• Suburbia Park had only a report on the maintenance of the park.

RECREATION MANAGER'S REPORT
Justin Martin provided his Recreation Managers Report for which there was no online staff report available.  Generally, participation is increasing in all athletic activities.

NEXT MEETING A WEEK EARLY
The commission meeting was adjourned to November 17, 2016, a week earlier than usual due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

COMPLICATIONS IN THE STAFF WORK?
Just a short observation.  There were two items on the agenda tonight that probably should not have been there.  The tree removal request certainly had enough questions - like who the heck actually owns the tree - to delay it until that question was answered.   And the staff report for the cell facility expansion at Shiffer Park certainly didn't provide enough information to the commissioners and the applicant wasn't available to answer questions.  In both cases it appeared that the staff had been strained to try to get them handled.  I'm not sure what the reason is, but for the past few months it appears that some of the staff work has dropped off.  Personally, I suspect it's because we have lost so many experienced staffers and the new folks are paddling hard to get up to speed.

Harbor Blvd. Median Improvements Discussed

RAJA LED THE DISCUSSION
Tuesday night Costa Mesa Transportation Services Manager Raja Sethuraman led a discussion of the proposed $1 million median project that is planned for Harbor Boulevard between Wilson Street and 19th Street before a small group (fewer than 40) concerned residents and business owners at the Neighborhood Community Center.  Half of the $1 million cost will be covered by a grant.  In response to a couple questions Sethuraman affirmed that we are not in danger of losing that grant money, yet. 

 AN INTERESTING MIX OF ATTENDEES
Among those in attendance were councilwoman Sandra Genis, former council member and council candidate Jay Humphrey, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kim Pederson and Vice Chairman of the commission Bob Graham, who stopped in for the final few minutes of the meeting.  Daily Pilot reporter Luke Money was in attendance, so look for his story on the meeting soon.  The remainder was a mix of concerned residents who are active in the city on many fronts and some folks brand new to the process, but concerned about this project.  We were told that business owners had been contacted and the project discussed in detail with some of the larger ones - those with the greatest transportation impact, like Robins Ford, Newport Rib Company and the K-Mart Plaza.  We were told that residents within a 500 foot radius of the project area were also contacted.  It was the view of many attendees that insufficient outreach had been done for this meeting.

A CASUAL, CONVERSATIONAL MEETING
For ninety minutes Sethuraman presented an overview of the project, discussed some of the reasoning behind the perceived need for a divider along that stretch of roadway.  The crowd was focused and sometimes impatient as questions were asked and answered. 

CONCERNS ABOUT BUSINESSES
Residents had many questions/concerns.  Most of them involved the impact of small businesses contiguous to this project.  The medians will hamper left turns into and out of many of the existing businesses along that stretch of roadway.  For example, this slide shows the area near Harbor Blvd. and Bay Street, adjacent to Robins Ford.  You will note that left hand turns out of the primary parking lot driveway will be impossible with the medians in place as planned.  Similarly, it would be impossible to turn north out of Tim Lewis' rental yard across the street.  Lewis was not at the meeting.

This slide shows a stretch of Harbor Blvd. just a little further up the street and reflects the same problem.

DECISION BASED ON SAFETY NUMBERS

Sethuraman explained in detail how the decisions were made, using traffic studies.  He explained the safety reasons for this project. Some of those numbers are in the second slide, above.  Basically, by reducing opportunities to make uncontrolled left turns the opportunity for serious accidents is reduced.  He said this project reduces "100 points of contact" to around 10, which should significantly reduce traffic accidents in that nearly 3/4 mile corridor.  He also acknowledged that this project will probably slow traffic in that area.

LANDSCAPE PLANS

He then went into a discussion of the Landscape plans.  There were also charts and photo arrays showing the plant palette being considered, but the images are much too small to be easily-viewed here.  The current plans include using Sycamore trees in the dividers.  This concept will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission at their meeting on Thursday, August 25th, beginning at 6:00 in City Council Chambers.

TIMETABLE
Apparently it will take at least 6-9 months for construction plans to be created, at which time the project will be put out to bid.  At some point in the very near future these slides and others will be available on the City website.  Irrigation and power will be provided to each of the medians.  The plans are still in the process of being fine-tuned to address issues brought up last night.

PROBLEMS
For example, the left turn lane of southbound Harbor Blvd. at 19th Street is presently a nightmare.  It sometimes takes more than two signal cycles to make that turn, which leads folks to the 55 Freeway.  Presently cars back up well past the designated left turn lane into the median lane.  With a more restrictive median in place those cars will remain in the number 1 lane, impeding through traffic.  You may be able to make out that intersection on the image below.

A "TRIAL RUN" USING BARRELS?
One member of the audience suggested some kind of a trial period, where barrels could be used to replicate permanent dividers to study the impact of the restriction of left turn capabilities.  Sethuraman calmly explained that the studies they've done with computer modeling are quite sufficient to make decisions about this project without all the turmoil such a "practice" run would make.

COMPARING IT TO EAST 17TH STREET
Several residents mentioned the similar changes on East 17th Street that were completed within the past year or so.  Initially, some of the elements of that project turned out to be problematic and the Transportation Services organization listened to residents and modified the offending areas.  Sethuraman mentioned that there would be another such meeting, following the Parks and Recreation Commission presentation, at which time the input from this meeting and other community input would be considered and blended into the plans.  When I left shortly before 8 o'clock a dozen people remained in the room, evaluating the charts provided and asking questions of the staff and consultants on hand. 

CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC
I left satisfied that the rationale behind this project is sound and that the safety concerns are valid.  That being said, if it was my choice between spending a million bucks on this project or adding to the public safety staff, I'd go with more cops and firefighters first.  I am willing to listen to the argument, though, that by installing these medians we, in theory, reduce the calls for service in that area by reducing accidents.

Parks & Rec. Commission Tweaks The FUAP, And More

IMPORTANT ISSUES CONSIDERED
The Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission met again last night and dealt with a couple important issues.  You can read the agenda HERE.

ABOUT MS. MERCURIO
Before we get to the important parts of the meeting, let me report to you that rookie commissioner Julie Mercurio - she who recently withdrew from the City Council race - attended this meeting, although you wouldn't know it if you depended solely on audio for your information.  During the entire 2 plus hours of the meeting, with the exception of when she started the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance, she was not heard to utter a single word.  Even then, we couldn't tell if she spoke or lip synched it.  In fact, it looked like she didn't even turn on her microphone the entire evening.  We presume she can actually speak, since she looks like she's whispering in Commissioner Kim Pederson's ear in this image.

SHE CONTRIBUTED NOTHING!
During Public Comments two speakers criticized Mercurio's selection.  In fact, Cindy Black presented a slide show of all the applications for that appointive position to demonstrate how unqualified she was for the position.  A couple of the commissioners, including my friend, Byron de Arakal, angrily defended her selection, citing the fact that she was a mother as reason enough for her appointment.  I almost choked when he said that!  Since this was early in the meeting he probably had no idea that she would become the invisible woman, offering not a single thing to the proceedings.  It was clear at the time that her appointment was solely to give her some visibility during her council campaign.  Last night she demonstrated just how unprepared she is for this assignment.  The two items on the agenda were pithy enough that every commissioner should have had something to contribute to the discussion.  All the others did.

STEP DOWN, JULIE!
So, enough with this charade... I'm asking Ms. Mercurio to simply step down - resign from the commission and let one of the other applicants be appointed to fill out Don Harper's term which expires in February.  If we're going to pay her $100 a month for her service, she should at least try to provide some.  Her continued presence on the dais is a constant reminder of the partisanship that rules our city.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
During Public Comments Beth Refakes reminded us that the Military Affairs Team is, once again, collecting lightly-used cocktail dresses, ball gowns and accessories for the wives of the men of the 1/5 Marines at Camp Pendleton for the Marine Ball.  Donations may be left in the lobby at City Hall.

Rocky Evans again asked the commission to consider extending the operating hours of the Skate Park.

Mark Arblaster, who runs a club soccer organization, announced that his group is helping a struggling  recreational soccer group with their expertise and financial aid.

Kim Hendricks asked that the rope barriers for some of the vernal pools in Fairview Park be re-installed.  She also offered criticism of Mercurio's appointment

Cindy Black reminded the commission of the proximity of Banning Ranch to Talbert Park and then offered criticism of Mercurio's appointment.

CONSENT CALENDAR
Back to the meeting.  The commission passed the Instructional Class Proposals on the Consent Calendar - they were all Ice Skating-related - without discussion.

FUAP REPORT AND MODIFICATIONS
The first item on the agenda was the spring Field Use Allocation Report (FUAP) and amendments to the existing policy.  Recreation Manager Justin Martin led the discussion.  You can read the staff report HERE.  This is the completion of the first year this new FUAP has been in existence and, based on the report, the results are quite positive.  The staff and the users had some tough going sorting out the residency requirements.  Only one user - Newport Mesa Friday Night Lights - failed to produce sufficient numbers of verifiable residents to retain Group 3 status, and will have limited use of fields.

APPROVED WITH MODIFICATIONS
After lengthy discussions the commission, led by Chairman Brett Eckles, approved the Field Use Report and recommended modifications to the changes to the FUAP, including tightening up the definitions of what constitutes a "strike" against a group under the new Code of Conduct section.  The staff will tinker with it following the direction provided by the commission before this issue is presented to the City Council for approval.

TALBERT PARK
The other item on the agenda was the Review of Talbert Regional Park Final Habitat Restoration Plan, HERE.  You can plow through the 168 pages if you wish.  City Engineer Bart Mejia led this discussion and had assistance from Susan Brodeur from Orange County Parks.  The commissioners heard the report and heard from members of the public, each of whom expressed a desire to keep Talbert Park as natural as possible.

BOB'S IMAGES
Vice Chair Robert Graham provided some photographic information to demonstrate some things that could be done to make that area more accessible.

MOVING IT FORWARD...
Eventually the commission moved to partner with OC Parks to search for and apply for grants and other funding opportunities to fulfill the estimated $22 million necessary to complete the plan as presented.  They also recommended Alternate 1 and segments of Alternates 2 and 3 for future consideration.  Both de Arakal and Graham suggested that we should think big in this process - it's going to take quite awhile because of the many governmental entities that will have their oars in this water.

HIGH PRAISE FOR MARTIN AND STAFF
The evening finished with Martin providing his report on recent activities - none of which was included in the online staff report.  Suffice it to say that things in the Recreation Division are looking up, with enhanced activities at the Senior Center and throughout the city.  Several commissioners, including Kim Pederson,  praised Martin and his staff for their outstanding work.  The next meeting is August 25th.

BYRON WANTS SECURITY AT FUTURE MEETINGS!
One last thing... at the very end of the meeting de Arakal said he was going to ask CEO Tom Hatch and Police Chief Rob Sharpnack to assign a Sergeant-at-arms to all future Parks and Recreation meetings!  This is very strange!  I've attended most of these meetings and the crowd (a generous term for the few people normally attending) have NEVER been rowdy - EVER!  I don't know what was going on at that meeting last night, or why he felt it necessary to take that step, but he mentioned safety.  Maybe with Ms. Mercurio comes a more rowdy crowd... who knows?