An Honor That Requires Comment

I WASN'T REALLY KIDDING...
Remember a couple months ago when I posted what I told you was, after more than 3,400 entries,  my final blog post?  You know, the one where I told you that retirement and health issues had required me to reconsider my lifestyle, and that it would seldom, if ever, include more posts here?  Well, today something happened that requires me to return - if only for today.  Besides, I really do miss y'all...

FOOD?  DID YOU SAY FOOD?
Today my sweet and very patient wife and I were hosted by a dozen or so employees of the City of Costa Mesa - members of the Costa Mesa Police Association, the Costa Mesa Fire Association and the Costa Mesa City Employees Association - at a lovely lunch at The Newport Rib Company -  one of our favorite restaurants in town.  Thanks to John Ursini and the staff for a very special event.  As an aside, the photo below was BEFORE the BBQ was served and, yes, those men in white shirts managed to keep the sauce off their clothes.

CAUGHT ME OFFGUARD...
The purpose of this lunch was for them to say thank you to me for my support over all these years and, I must tell you, that was very strange, because it really should have been ME saying thanks, again, to them.

A HIGHLIGHT OF MY LIFE!
I was overwhelmed by this wonderful event.  It is truly one of the highlights of my life!  I will be forever grateful to those who attended this lunch today, and to those they were representing.  It's hard to see the screen on my computer right now - there's some mist on my eyes - just as there was when this beautiful plaque was presented to me today.

 I'M AN ADMIRER
As most of you know who have been reading this blog over the past dozen years, I am a great admirer of the Costa Mesa employees - those folks who have had to endure so much for the past more than a decade - every since Jim Righeimer dragged his carpetbagging rear-end across the border from Fountain Valley and began to systematically destroy one of the finest city government organizations in the county.  I wrote about him HERE. Together we've watched the decimation of complete organizations, we've seen the impact of the toxic workplace created by the Righeimer-led majority, with senior, experienced employees leaving much earlier than they anticipated.  But, we've seen those employees who endured become stronger and more resilient and even more dedicated to our city.  For that I, for one, will be eternally grateful.

BETTER, BUT A WAYS TO GO...
Things are better now, but far from perfect.

• We have a Police Department with a staffing level that is at least 20% below the numbers necessary to properly provide law enforcement coverage of our city, particularly with the impact of sober living homes and the homeless folks wandering our streets.   Chief Rob Sharpnack has said repeatedly in the recent past that it will take at least until the end of 2018 to be fully staffed - and he based that on the current authorized number, not the number we actually need.   Although we're doing a good job of recruiting and capturing the cream of the crop, we can't hire faster and couldn't train them if we had them.  
• Under the guidance of Chief Dan Stefano we have a Fire Department that, while permitted to finally hire sufficient staff to man our stations and equipment, still suffers from the lack of a new contract for five years and no pay increases for a decade.  This is unconscionable!  
• The CMCEA group finally has a new contract, so there's a chance to get staffed-up in critical areas like Planning and Engineering and related areas and cease relying on contract employees.  And, the anti-employee bias on the dais has been muted since the last election.  We certainly hope that continues in the next one in 2018, but the whole "district-voting with directly-elected mayor" scheme that Righeimer imposed on us makes that problematic and will require very significant citizen attention and participation.                                                                                                     

THANKS TO ALL
So, today, I want to fully express my gratitude to Detective David Sevilla and all the others  responsible for this wonderful recognition, and to encourage the employees of this fine city to continue to work hard and keep the faith that things will continue to improve.  Many of you have become my friends over these many years - something for which I'm very grateful.  You have solid leaders in place in most areas that should be getting much more support - and less micromanaging - from the elected leaders.

GRATEFULLY
Until next time... Thanks... that hardly seems enough, so...

Another Packed Agenda For Tuesday's Council Meeting

 LOTS OF GOOD STUFF ON TUESDAY'S AGENDA
The Costa Mesa City Council meets again on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 for a meeting full of interesting stuff.  The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers but a Special Closed Session precedes that meeting at 5:00 p.m.  You can read the full agenda HERE.

SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION FIRST
The Special Closed session has two items on it.  #1 is a conference with legal counsel on existing litigation - Timothy Dadey, et al v. City of Costa Mesa.

Item #2 is a conference with labor negotiators - Assistant City Manager Tamara Letourneau, regarding the Costa Mesa Firefighters Association (CMFA).

Any public comments on these two items only will be heard at 5:00 p.m., after which the council will recess to Conference Room 5A for deliberations.

The regular open meeting will commence at 6:00 p.m., or as close to it as possible following the Closed Session.

CONSENT CALENDAR
Following the opening events - National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Public Comments and Council Member Comments the council will consider the Consent Calendar.  There are seven (7) items on the Consent Calendar Tuesday.  These are items that could be moved in one motion without separate discussion unless a member of the council, staff or public pulls one.  Those items will be discussed immediately following the vote on the remainder.  I'm not going to address them all - just a couple.  You can read all about them on the agenda link above.

MORE CONSULTANTS AND LEGAL FEES
#2 is Warrant #2574, HERE, which shows us how we spent about $4 million of our tax dollars.  I did notice that our list for our Contract Attorney firm, Jones & Mayer, is significantly lower this time around - just over $67,000.  However, combined with other legal charges from other firms, we still spent well over $100,000 on legal fees on this warrant.  And, of course, we continue to rack up large amounts for consultants for Plan Check, Building Inspection, Engineering, Department Management for Development Services and the like.  We also spent another $60,000 for helicopter support by the City of Huntington Beach.  Feel free to go to that link and scroll down to see for yourselves.

COIN HEARING FOR DIVISION MANAGERS
The first Public Hearing, HERE,  on the agenda will be a doozy.  This is the required first hearing under the Civic Openness In Negotiations (COIN) Ordinance for the adoption of the salary and benefits agreement between The City and the Costa Mesa Division Managers Association (CMDMA).  This group has not seen an increase in salary ranges since 2008 and they agreed to increase contributions to CalPERS without a salary increase in 2012, which resulted in a pay reduction.  Recruitment and retention is proving difficult under these circumstances.

OVERDUE CHANGES
The staff recommendation includes salary range adjustments between 2.00% and 15.88 % and has a handy chart to show those changes.  Changes in contributions to the CalPERS plan are included, as are reduction in the vacation cap and Executive Leave.  A Technology Allowance is created and the Car Allowance is increased.  Read the staff report.  It also includes those employees described as "Confidential".

REVISITING THE HELISTOP
Public Hearing #2, HERE, is a request for a retroactive time extension on a Planning Application and Conditional Use Permit for a private helistopat 3132 Airway Avenue that expired last November.  If approved the extension would run until November 3, 2017.  When the original request was approved in November of 2015 it was a split vote, with Foley and Genis voting NO.  This will be interesting.

OVERSEEING FAIRVIEW PARK
New Business #1, HERE, is Professional Services Agreement for Fairview Park Maintenance, Management and Biological Services in the amount of $397,640 for one year.  That number might increase by $30,000 or $60,000 if the council decides to include a Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Program for one or two years.  Read the staff report.

PLACENTIA AVENUE MEDIANS
New Business #2, HERE, is the Placentia Avenue Median Improvement Project between Adams Avenue and Wilson Street.  Depending on which plant palette is utilized, it could result in 140 trees and over 3,000 plants installed in this median.  The Public Services staff secured a grant of $844,200, of which $738,400 is available for the construction phase.  See the full array of conceptual landscape plans HERE.

MORE APPOINTMENTS
New Business #3, HERE, is the final item on the agenda.  This is Appointments to various commissions and the Senior Commission.  The City Council will be asked to appoint forty-nine (49) regular committee positions, four (4) alternate members to committees and one new member to the Senior Commission.  Here we go again...

BIKEWAYS AND WALKABILITY COMMITTEE
The Bikeway and Walkability Committee consists of fifteen (15) members and we received sixteen applications (16).  Membership will be split between 8 for two years and 7 for one year.

CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE
The Cultural Arts Committee, which consists of eleven (11) appointed members, which serve staggered two-year terms, has seven (7) positions available, including one (1) alternate.  Fifteen (15) applications were received.  The newly-appointed members will serve two years.

HISTORICAL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
The Historical Preservation Committee also consists of eleven (11) appointed positions which serve staggered two-year terms.  There are eleven (11) positions available - nine (9) regular and two (2) alternates.  We received nine (9) applications.  Newly appointed members will be  5 for two-years and six for one year.

FINANCE AND PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Finance and Pension Advisory Committee, created by combining two other committees will have eleven (11) members, one of which will by the Mayor's designee - Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Genis -  for a two-year term.  Of the remaining ten (10) appointments, four shall have pension knowledge and others shall be residents or other individuals that conduct business within the City and have significant financial background as defined in the staff report.  We received thirteen (13) applications.  Five will be for two-years and 5 for one-year.

HOUSING AND PUBLIC SERVICE GRANTS COMMITTEE
The Housing and Public Service Grants Committee will have ten (10) appointments, nine (9) regular and one (1) alternate and will serve staggered two-year terms.  We received ONLY seven (7) applications for the positions.

SENIOR COMMISSION
The Senior Commission has a vacancy because member Olga Reynolds resigned before she could take her appointed seat.  There are seven members of this commission, four of which serve four-year terms and three serve two-year terms.  This position will have an expiration of 2019.  We received two (2) applications.

HOW WILL THEY BE CHOSEN?
No mention in the staff report is made about the method of selection for these committees and commission.  You will recall the fiasco we had during the last such event.  I'm hoping we will not see a replay of that event.  When you go to the staff report for more information you will find links to all the applications by committee/commission as separate attachments.  Enjoy.

Firefighters Support Genis, Stephens and Humphrey Saturday

FUN EVENT THIS SATURDAY
Just a little reminder that Costa Mesa Firefighters will be at TeWinkle Park this Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in support of City Council Candidates Sandy Genis, John Stephens and Jay Humphrey.  Good grub will be served.  See the flyer below.  Click on it to enlarge it.

Employee Compensation And Benefits Report Available

IT'S ABOUT TIME! 
The City of Costa Mesa 2015 Compensation and Benefits Report was finally released late last week and it makes for some interesting reading.  You can read the PDF version HERE.

RANKED BY COST TO THE CITY
This list is ranked in order of total cost to the City.  That means total pay plus the portion of the pension cost the city pays.  It is NOT ranked in order of the actual pay each individual took home.

PUBLIC SAFETY LEADS THE WAY
It will come as no surprise to know that of the 766 people listed - active, terminated/retired - many of those receiving the most pay are in public safety, the police and fire services.

MANY FIREFIGHTERS NEAR THE TOP
Of the first 100 on the list, nearly 40% are in the fire service - again, that's no surprise.  If you look down the list using the "overtime pay and hours" segment as your focus you'll understand why fire service folks are ranked so high.  In addition to working 56 hour weeks, most also work ungodly overtime hours.  As you scroll down that list you'll see hundreds of overtime hours listed.

DENIGRATED IN THE PAST
In years past certain bloviating elected officials would refer to the "$350,000 firefighter" as some kind of scarlet letter of greed.  In fact, the men and women who work for the Costa Mesa Fire Department would MUCH prefer to NOT work so many overtime hours because they represent hours away from their families that they will never get back.

POLICE ALSO NEAR THE TOP
It's important to note that the Police Department staff also represents a large number of those near the top of the list.  Chief Rob Sharpnack is #1 this year, for example. 

STILL NO CONTRACTS
It's also important to note that both the police and fire groups are nearing two years without a contract.  The police contract will be discussed by the City Council at the meeting on Tuesday, but negotiations with the fire organization is stalled.

TAKE YOUR TIME...
Take some time to scroll down the list.  You'll find the information very interesting.

A Busy Week Ahead In Costa Mesa

MEETINGS, MEETINGS AND MORE MEETINGS
It's going to be another busy week ahead in Costa Mesa.  Several commission and committee meetings are on the agenda plus two separate closed sessions for the City Council to consider labor negotiations.  Here's what's ahead...

PLANNING COMMISSION ON MONDAY
Monday, March 23, 2015, the Planning Commission meets again to consider more development in the city.  You can read the agenda HERE.

HIGH RISE DEVELOPMENT
Public Hearing #1, HERE, is the planning application for a 100-unit high-rise residential building and a 6.5 level shared parking structure at 3350 Avenue of the Arts.  The project has several variances requested.

MORE DEVELOPMENT ON VICTORIA
Public Hearing #2, HERE, is the General Plan Amendment and tract Map for a 28-unit Residential Development at 1239 Victoria Street.  This project is immediately adjacent to the new development that kind of looks like a fortress as you drive up the hill on Victoria to the city limits.  More vertical development in our city.

ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE 2000 GENERAL PLAN
New Business #1, HERE, is the 94-page 2014 Annual Review of the 2000 General Plan.  The commission will be asked to recommend this review to the City Council.

 ***

TWO CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSIONS ON TUESDAY
On Tuesday, March 24, 2015, the Costa Mesa City Council will meet for two (2) Closed Sessions to discuss labor negotiations.

 COSTA MESA POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
The first one, HERE, commences at 9:00 a.m. for a discussion about labor negotiations with the Costa Mesa Police Officers Association (CMPOA).  Only council members Katrina Foley, Sandra Genis and Gary Monahan may participate in this meeting since Mayor Steve Mensinger and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer have a conflict because of their lawsuit against the men and women of the CMPD.  We hope Monahan shows up for this one.

FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRE MANAGMENT
The second meeting, HERE, begins at 5:00 and involves the entire city council in discussing negotiations with the Costa Mesa Firefighters Association (CMFA) and the Costa Mesa Fire Management Association (CMFMA).  The public is not welcome at these meetings.

***

PENSION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 the Pension Oversight Committee will hold another of their sparsely-attended meetings beginning at 4:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1A at City Hall.  You can read the agenda HERE.

***

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING THURSDAY
On Thursday, March 26, 2015, the Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission, led by Chairman Kim Pederson,  will hold their only meeting of the month beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall.  You can read that agenda HERE.

TREE REMOVAL REQUEST ON 24TH PLACE
This New Business item, HERE, involves a request for the removal of a parkway tree at 248 24th Place.  This is the second request for removal - the first was denied in August, 2013.  The staff recommends denial again.

PLANT PALETTE AND MONUMENT SIGN
The second New Business item, HERE, is a report on the proposed landscape palette for various locations and entry monument sign concept plans for an entry monument sign at Newport Frontage Road and Industrial Way.

Model Engineers Still Need Help

TRYING TO RECOVER
As many of you already know from the article in the Daily Pilot, HERE, the Orange County Model Engineers, who operate Goat Hill Junction at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, were the victims of vandalism and burglary two weeks ago.  Damages and losses were estimated around $9,000.

DONATIONS
The community has responded. The Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club, that great volunteer organization that puts on the Fish Fry each year for more than a half-century, through their president, Mike Scheafer, made a donation of $1,000 the end of last week.

 POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND
Today, the Costa Mesa Firefighters Association and the Costa Mesa Police Officers Association presented the OCME with $500 each.  Shown here are CMPOA President Rob Dimel and CMFA President Rob Gagne with OCME Vice President of Operations, Dixon Sheldon.

ANOTHER GREAT DAY
I visited Goat Hill Junction this morning.  It was another grand, warm day and lots of families showed up to ride the trains and drop a few dollars in the collection box to help the OCME recover from vandalism and their losses of hundreds of feet of rails and other recyclable metals.

PLENTY GOING ON
There was music playing, food available for purchase and Diane Hill was on hand to train folks in Hands-Only CPR, in honor of her husband, Paul, who passed away a little over a year ago.

CONTRIBUTE IF YOU CAN
The Orange County Model Engineers, a group that has provided free train rides for more than a quarter century,  is a 501C3 charity, so folks who wish to contribute to the OCME may send their tax deductible contribution checks made out to OCME to P.O. Box 3216, Costa Mesa, CA 92628.

Council Meeting Wrap Up

A SHORT, BUT INTERESTING MEETING
Well, the Costa Mesa City Council meeting last night was short, but not without it's interesting moments, beginning with the fact that Eric, "I didn't sign up for this!", Bever was absent - again.  Of course, that's a mixed blessing.  Left without his possible "tie-breaker" vote it's possible that items on the agenda might not receive a proper decision.  I say that with tongue in cheek, since the council still had the majority, even without Bever.  And, without him on the dais, interrupting speakers and chiding others, things seem to have run much more smoothly.  The folks who vote for positions on the Mesa Consolidated Water District should remember that in November.

UH-OH - RIGHEIMER'S IN CHARGE!
That left Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer in charge - always an adventure.  Right off the bat he juggled the agenda,  bringing the last item on it - the two Fire Side Letters -  forward to be considered first.  More on that in a minute.

FREE PUBLICITY
I was amused when a couple of the early speakers during Public Comments were obviously imported hacks, spouting the anti-union party line.  In fact, one of those guys - "Martin Thomas" -  actually mentioned my blog - twice.  I didn't have a chance to thank him for the publicity because he and his crony - "Ari David" - skulked out of the auditorium shortly after speaking.

WHO IS THAT MASKED MAN?
We also had the first masked speaker I can recall.  A gentleman, later identified by his companion speaker as Pedro Paramo, addressed the council in Spanish, apparently cautioning the city to not turn into another Bell and referring to that city's corrupt police department.  I suspect none of the council members understood a single word he spoke.  Mr. Paramo apparently is the editor of Watchourcity.com, an online watchdog organization focused primarily on southeast Los Angeles County.

FIRE DEPARTMENT SIDE LETTERS
As mentioned, Righeimer juggled the agenda, moving the discussion of the two Fire Department Contract Side Letters from the end to the beginning.  I believe he did that because $300 per hour labor negotiation/lawyer Richard Kreisler was there to answer questions.  The short version of events is that the council approved the action proposed by the staff report, HERE, 4-0.  The following is the text from the staff report that summarizes the agreements in question.

The Costa Mesa Firefighters Association (CMFA) agreed to:

1. Current employees covered by this agreement shall contribute 5% of the employee’s PERSable earnings towards their employee retirement contribution through June 30, 2017. This contribution will begin retroactive to the pay period beginning July 1, 2012.

2.The City will implement the 2%@50 CalPERS Benefit Formula for new employees. New employees covered by the 2%@50 CalPERS Benefit Formula shall contribute 9% of the employee’s PERSable earnings towards their employee retirement contribution.

3.Suspension of the RHS (Retirement Health Savings) Program - neither employee nor employer provides 1% retiree medical funding through June 30, 2017.

4.Through and including June 30, 2017, there shall be no base salary adjustments.

5.Staffing level – minimum staffing of Article 12.1 is null and void and to be replaced by Fire Department Operational Restructuring document (Exhibit A of Attachment A) prepared by the Fire Chief.

6. The there shall be no extension of the CMFA MOU expiring on June 30, 2014.

The Costa Mesa Fire Management Association (CMFMA) also agreed to six points:

1. Current employees covered by this agreement shall continue contributing 5% of the employee’s PERSable earnings towards their employee retirement contribution through June 30, 2017. This contribution will begin retroactive to the pay period beginning July 1, 2012.

2. The City will implement the 2%@50 CalPERS Benefit Formula for new employees. New employees covered by the 2%@50 CalPERS Benefit Formula shall contribute 9% of the employee’s PERSable earnings towards their employee retirement contribution.

3. Suspension of the RHS (Retirement Health Savings) Program -neither employee nor employer provides 1% retiree medical funding through June 30, 2017
.
4. Through and including June 30, 2017, there shall be no base salary adjustments.

5. Staffing level – minimum staffing is null and void and to be replaced by Fire Department Operational Restructuring document (Exhibit A of Attachment B) prepared by the Fire Chief.

6. The City’s contribution towards employees’ medical and health care benefit frozen at the 2010 level shall continue to be frozen for calendar year 2013.

LET'S GET MOVING!
So, that is that!  Now it's time to get cracking on Interim Fire Chief Tom Arnold's plan for the reorganization of the Fire Department that was so roundly supported a month ago.

 CLEAN-UP LEGISLATION MAY CHANGE THE GAME
It is unknown at this time precisely what effect, if any, Governor Brown's recent proposal for Pension Reform will have on these agreements.  Kreisler provided scenarios of what MIGHT happen in January, but there's the strong possibility that this law, AB 340, will change dramatically before the effective date in what Kreisler called "clean up legislation".  I glanced at Assemblyman Allan Mansoor, observing from the audience, and saw a slight smile when he heard that statement.

"COIN" PASSED
In a further bit of juggling, Righeimer next took Old Business #3, Steve Mensinger's Civic Openness In Negotiations (COIN) scheme, HERE.  This was the second reading and Kreisler stayed to provide legal support.  After much discussion, during which the majority once again stiff-armed Wendy Leece's request to broaden this "transparency" initiative to include other communications besides those related to labor issues.  No, sir - this was just another initiative aimed directly at the forehead of the employee associations.  Mensinger didn't much care for the criticism, either.  Nothing new about that.  It passed on a 4-0 vote.

FINALLY!
Next came what should have been the first item on the agenda, the Neighborhood Improvement Task Force report.  You will recall that this was shoved off until tonight from the last council meeting two weeks ago - but not before making the staff and consultants cool their heels in the auditorium until 11:00 p.m. that night.
 

PROGRESS AND PLANS
Assistant CEO Rick Francis and consultant Muriel Ullman presented the overview and the report, HERE.  You can read that report to see the progress that's been made and where the City plans to focus its efforts downstream.  Not unexpectedly, "problem motels" were a major issue and the staff is expected to turn up the heat on them by way of increased visits for "inspections".  When Mensinger suggested that we eliminate all long term stays legal counsel cautioned that they are, after all, businesses operating within the rules.  I had the impression that certain members on the dais didn't much care about that.  They don't like rules, period.  Speakers opined that the "problem" of the transient population seems to be moving around as enforcement is tightened up in one area, a little like squeezing Jello.  Francis agreed and suggested that new plans need to be devised to manage that element.  The council voted to receive and file this report and await the next progress report in six months.

CELL TOWERS
At 10:20 the council finally briefly spoke about the new Wireless Telecommunication Facilities in Public Places ordinance, generated by the installation earlier this year of this monstrosity in my neighborhood, HERE.  The ordinance passed on a 3-0 vote - Righeimer is in the business, so was out of the auditorium for the discussion and vote.

PERMIT PARKING
The council, after the briefest of discussions, agreed to a plan for Permit Parking on Ballow Lane and then adjourned to the next council meeting on September 17th at 10:35 p.m.  Yea!  A meeting finished in the same day!