Kudos To Neth, Boos To Righeimer And More

STARTED UPBEAT

The Costa Mesa City Council meeting Tuesday night started out on a very happy note with the presentation of the Mayor's Award to former Costa Mesa Police Chief Roger Neth - a man who served this city proudly - as one of the first three officers hired and the second Police Chief- for more than three decades.

NICE NETH PRESENTATION
Costa Mesa Television prepared a very nice tribute video about Neth's career.   Mayor Steve Mensinger gave a preamble and a key to the city.  Current Chief Rob Sharpnack also paid tribute to Neth as he spoke about the core values he instilled in the department and the Chief also spoke about a few of the things of which he was most proud.  He mentioned that the Costa Mesa Police Department was on the cutting edge in using technology, such as the CAD/RMS system, videoing DUI suspects.  He didn't mention the helicopter program which he began, nor did he mention that Costa Mesa provided contract policing for the brand new city of Irvine, instilling those same values in that department.  Many of the contract employees became Irvine police officers when that department was formed.  That City is acknowledged to be one of the safest in the country.

WHERE WERE THE COPS?
It was a very nice ceremony, with some of Neth's family present.  However, I, personally, was disappointed that there were no other police officers except Sharpnack in the auditorium.  That surprised me...

POINTING OUT FALSEHOODS
The meeting fell straight off the cliff following the Neth presentation.  During Public Comments Mary Spadoni criticized the decision made at the last meeting regarding keeping the medical transport situation as-is, and cited chapter and verse from previous meetings where council members agreed to move forward with medical transport - and pointed out the falsehood made previously.

FIREFIGHTER'S PRESIDENT SPEAKS OUT
Costa Mesa Firefighters Association President Rob Gagne then stepped up and also expressed his disappointment.  He gave a history of the steps the CMFA took to help the city with their contract and their support of  Interim Chief Tom Arnold's 17-point plan.  He then directly criticized Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer for statements attributed to him from an Orange County Register article, HERE, in which he made false statements .  In that article Righeimer accused the CMFA of blocking more efficient options, which Gagne vehemently denied last night.

RIGHEIMER RANT
At that point Righeimer flew off the handle and demanded a "point of personal privilege" to respond to Gagne, even though he would have time during his Council member comments segment.  As it turned out, he used BOTH opportunities.  He ranted and raved, saying he found it "shocking" that the Union President would make those statements.  He went on and on.  Not only was it embarrassing, but he lied during his rant again.

TAMAR RIPS THEM
Tamar Goldmann began her three minutes by hoping out loud that there were still firefighters in the house because Righeimer's rant caused her blood pressure to rise.  She then cited Chief Neth for his service and the standards he established.  She mentioned a conversation she had with former Chief Tom Gazsi - now the Chief of the Los Angeles Port Police - in which the performance of the members of the department was discussed.  She observed that, despite the unpleasant atmosphere created by the council majority, those men and women who had not departed continue to perform at a high level.  She said Gazsi attributed that to the culture created by Neth and other chiefs who preceded him.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA
Beth Refakes reminded us of the current candy/easter egg collection for the children of the 1/5 Marines at Camp Pendleton.

COMPARING CARE
An unidentified person provided a personal anecdote about the difference between Costa Mesa Paramedics and CARE Ambulance drivers, citing the inexperience of the CARE staff.

JAY TURNS HIS BACK
Former councilman Jay Humphrey, who lost a seat on the council to Righeimer by 47 votes in the last election, and a regular speaker before the council was apparently so upset with how the meeting was going to this point that he abandoned the several things he had planned to address and told the council that it was clear that they don't listen.  So, he decided to use his three minutes to communicate with them the only way he could - and he promptly turned his back to the council and just stood there.  He made his point.

WENDY JOINS THE CHORUS
Former councilwoman Wendy Leece, who has stayed involved in city issues since being termed out, also expressed disappointment in the Medical Transport vote.

CINDY'S SIGN
Cindy Brenneman also stepped up to express her disappointment in the council's unwillingness to listen to its staff and the consultants on the Medical Transport issue.  She spiced up her commentary, then simply used the remaining half of her time holding this sign.

HOPING FOR ACCORD
Robin Leffler joined in on the Medical Ambulance issue.  She indicated that friends called her a "Pollyanna" because she continued to hope for a good solution.

INITIATIVES AND MORE
Cindy Black told us "I'm no Pollyanna", then blasted Righeimer, saying, "That is not a pulpit and you're no preacher."  She then spoke of the citizen unrest and cited the Smart Growth Initiative that is in the works and the new Fairview Park Protection Initiative for which signatures are currently being gathered.  She also talked about the meeting Saturday at Fairview Developmental Center where input is being solicited from the public.  And, she encouraged folks to attend the meeting on February 10 in Morro Bay to reject the plan to oust the current Director of the Coastal Commission by developer groups.

CHAD (?) CONFERENCE
During Council Member Comments Katrina Foley mentioned the "CHAD" (?) conference in November.

GENIS ON CMPD PERFORMANCE AND FAIRVIEW PARK PLANS
Sandra Genis thanked the Costa Mesa Police Department for the professional way it handled the recent incident in her neighborhood where a man ran from an accident, fired a shot at police, but was later captured.  Among other things, she mentioned the recent agenda for the Parks and Recreation Commission that included items dealing with Fairview Park, citing the road that's planned, plus the parking lot lights, neither of which are part of the Master Plan for the park.  She also commented on CARE Ambulance response times, then mentioned that no council member may unilaterally decide on a relationship with another agency - that requires a discussion by the council and a vote.

GARY SEES DRUGGIES ALL THE TIME
Gary Monahan addressed CARE Ambulance and his vote.  He said he didn't like the numbers provided by the consultant.  He talked about Sober Living, citing the fact that Costa Mesa has two laws on the books but the courts have put a stay on their enforcement.  He spoke to the drug deals going on throughout the city- a speaker brought it up.  He said, "I see them all the time."  Interesting, no?  He also told us he profiles customers in his gin mill....

ANOTHER RIGHEIMER RANT
Then it was Righeimer's turn.  After mentioning the police action near his home, he went off on another anti-union screed about paramedics.  He reiterated the lie again that he didn't vote to buy the medical vans to transport patients, despite the fact that speakers had refuted his comments earlier.  He told us he was "Tired of this charade."  He said it twice.  He said he's only got 3 years left, then mumbled something.  Can he be that stupid?  Gee, I guess so.  By the way, while we're back on this subject, some of you may not have seem my commentary in the Daily Pilot Sunday on this issue.  You can read it HERE.

CLOSING REDHILL
Then came time for the CEO's report.  Tom Hatch had three issues.  The first was the closure of Redhill from Main Street to Pullman starting soon.  Here's a chart that shows it.

FAIRVIEW DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER
Then he addressed the Fairview Developmental Center issue, speaking that the General Plan would address that site for zoning for re-use should the State actually close it and sell the land.

FRANCIS' HOMELESSNESS REPORT
He then turned the segment over to Assistant CEO Rick Francis for an update on the Homelessness issue in the City.  The following series of slides explains what he told us.  Click on them if you need to enlarge them.

 BROWN ACT VIOLATION?
As the council members began to discuss this issue Genis interrupted and asked City Attorney Tom Duarte about the propriety of this practice - having an item presented without being agendized and having a discussion ensure.  She was concerned about Brown Act violations - this is not the first time this has happened.  There was NO mention of this presentation on the agenda.  Duarte told the council to keep any comments general in nature.  Mensinger blew it off, stating to Genis, "We have our City Attorney's opinion."  The arrogance of these guys is just unbelievable!

CONSENT CALENDAR
Finally, at 7:35, they got to the Consent Calendar and one item was pulled - the Warrant.  It would be discussed later.

FIFTEEN GRAND TO THINK ABOUT A FEASIBILITY STUDY
At 7:38 we got down to business on the only item on the agenda, New Business #1 - Katrina Foley's request for $15,000 for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District to BEGIN a feasibility study to provide more bleachers and other enhancements at the new Costa Mesa High School athletic complex.  This should have been a quick issue - it wasn't complicated until the council got their hooks into it.  This request is simply the starting point - and $15,000 likely wouldn't be the only funds necessary.  Earlier they had approved $50,000 for a feasibility study.  Round and round they went, trying to resolve issues that were not before them.

SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND MORE
Costa Mesa High School Principal Jacob Haley spoke briefly.  Costa Mesa High School Football Coach Glen Fisher addressed the need and thanked the council for moving this forward.  Two "football parents" spoke, also in support of the plan, as did Gay Royer.

KIRK'S INSIGHT
Foley asked Dr. Kirk Bauermeister to come up from the audience to speak to the issue, providing some insight to the school district's process.  He affirmed that they needed the $15,000 and a letter from the City outlining what they were looking for in order to proceed.  He also said there was no guarantee that they would proceed.

FINALLY, A VOTE
And round and round the conversation went before Monahan moved to follow the staff recommendation, but increase the amount to $25,000.  It passed, 5-0 at 8:30.

PEA GRAVEL AND SHODDY CONSTRUCTION
The Consent Calendar items were heard.  Al Melone complained about a couple bucks paid for pea gravel at the bark park.  An unidentified person wondered why we were doing business with Blackrock Construction, since we fired them for shoddy construction on streets projects in the city and resident, and former council candidate Lee Ramos was injured and sued the company.

COULD HAVE BEEN EARLIER
We were out of there at 8:40 - an hour later than we would have been except for Righeimer's rants.  I think I have a solution... the way he waves his arms around when he gets wound up, perhaps we should just have the Sergeant-at-arms handcuff him to his chair - or just slap some duct tape on his mouth.

O..M..G..! It's Fair Time Again!

IT'S BACK!

Yep, that's right.. the fantastic Orange County Fair launches again this Friday for a month-long run of family fun at the Orange County Fair and Event Center.  This year it begins July 17th and runs through August 16th!

VISIT THE WEB SITE!
There's so much going on during that month - beginning with free admission for the first hour on Friday - that it's impossible to cover it all here.  Let me suggest you visit the web site, HERE, for ALL the information about events, including the cattle drive, that will be occurring for that fantastic month.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
This year the OC Fair celebrates it's 125th anniversary, so the theme is One Big Party, and they're going to do their best to make it so.  Live entertainment, terrific displays, exciting rides, and the food... ah, the food!

THE HOURS OF OPERATION
I will poach one entry from the web site - the page that lists the hours.  Here you go.

FAIR HOURS

The 2015 OC Fair is open
July 17-August 16 (Wednesday-Sunday)

Wednesday-Friday Saturday-Sunday Monday-Tuesday

Noon-Midnight 10 am-Midnight Closed

On-Site Box Office Information

The OC Fair Box Office at the Pacific Amphitheatre is located at 100 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa, CA 92626.

Hours

1. Wednesday: 10 am - 6 pm
2. Thursday: 10 am - 6 pm
3. Friday: 10 am - 6 pm
4. Saturday and Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm

How To Purchase Admission Tickets

1. OC Fair Box Office at the Pacific Amphitheatre during the hours listed above.
2. Online at Ticketmaster.com
3. From any Ticketmaster outlet location.
4. Charge by phone via Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
5. Any on-site admission booth (Admission booths are available at all public entries and are open the Fair days and hours listed above.)

DON'T FORGET PARKING AT COSTA MESA HIGH SCHOOL

Oh, yes... Katrina Foley would be all over me if I failed to mention that, in addition to the parking on the Fairgrounds, nearby parking is available at Costa Mesa High School - right across Arlington from the Fairgrounds.  The reasonable parking fees at those lots contribute to youth groups at the high school.
 

SEE YOU THERE!
So, join the million or so happy visitors who will find their way to the OC Fair to celebrate this wonderful milestone.

Budgets, Nuisances And Curious Choices

ANOTHER LONG NIGHT
'Twas another long, long night at Costa Mesa City Hall yesterday.  Once again the City Council meeting ran past midnight - 12:35 to be precise.  It was an even longer day for the council, which preceded the regular council meeting with a two and a half hour closed session that began at 4:00 p.m.

THE THUMBNAIL VERSION
The short version of events - the staff reports for the meeting were fully 3 inches thick - we have a balanced budget (that included $650,000 for Fairview Park lights); we don't yet have a Public Nuisance Ordinance;  we're switching insurance brokers; we're changing the rules for Field Use allocations; Tom Hatch got his raise; some CDBG fund recipients got a nice surprise; somebody else is going to be managing our money and the most qualified person WAS NOT selected to fill a vacancy in the Pension Oversight Committee.  That may be enough information for most of you, but here are the details.

A VERY POSITIVE BEGINNING
After beginning thirty minutes late due to the Closed Session dragging out for two and a half hours, the meeting began with a much-deserved recognition of Costa Mesa High Schoolers.  The young women of Costa Mesa Cheer were recognized for their prodigious accomplishments this past year - they were ranked 6th internationally for their activities.  Mayor Jim Righeimer was joined by Costa Mesa High School Principal Dr. Phil D'Agostino presenting awards. D'Agostino stressed that the average GPA for the cheer squad was 3.83!  An astounding number for any group of high school scholar/athletes.  This photo shows those who attended last night.  The seniors were at "Senior Recognition Night" at another venue.  Congrats to the ladies.

GENIS...During Council Member Comments Sandra Genis encouraged community members to get involved in the update process for the city's General Plan.  There's a "visioning" meeting tonight at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) beginning at 6:00.  She also expressed concern about item #13 on the Consent Calendar, although she didn't pull it for separate discussion.  She was concerned that the prolific use of consulting companies to perform building inspection services has led to a lack of continuity and consistency in the way projects are inspected and suggested more in-house inspectors should be hired to retain that continuity.  She also addressed concerns made by residents about the Banning Ranch development, indicating that virtually ALL the traffic from that project would be directed onto Costa Mesa streets.

LEECE...
Wendy Leece gave a report on the Relay For Life event held last weekend.  She attended the 27th anniversary celebration of Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, emphasizing how many Costa Mesa residents - including many residents of the Tower on 19th (formerly Bethel Towers) use it.  She also stressed the need for residents to be safe during the July 4th holiday Fireworks season - it's no longer just one evening in our town.  She also expressed concern about Righeimer's commentary in the Daily Pilot on Hatch's raise that was published BEFORE the council had actually voted on it.  Contract City Attorney Tom Duarte basically said "no big deal".  I spoke with him later on this subject and he said he'll have to study the timeline, indicating that council members cannot discuss "strategy" discussed in closed sessions.  That's not how I read the Brown Act, so he's going to get back to me.

MENSINGER...
Steve Mensinger asked Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz about the status of a radar speed sign on Susan Street in response to the public outcry about the tragic accident that took the life of an Estancia High School graduate over the weekend.  Munoz said the sign will be acquired using grant funding, but nothing is in the pipeline yet.  Mensinger also mentioned the Fairview Park tour Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 a.m.

MONAHAN...
Gary Monahan said he'd keep his comments short and brief - I smiled - and congratulated ALL graduates this spring.


RIGHEIMER...
Righeimer spoke about how he and Mensinger did ridealongs with the CMPD Monday night when, in cooperation with the Orange County Probation Department, snatched up seven violators and sent them back to jail.  As he extolled the virtues of the officers involved I found myself thinking, "It's about time you began to appreciate the work our police force does to keep this city safe!"  Righeimer, apparently now "Mister Law and Order", said, "If you're on probation in Costa Mesa we're going to check on you.  If you're not straight you're going to jail!"  Tough talk from a guy who has no clue about law enforcement. 

HATCH...
During his time CEO Hatch introduced our new Economic and Development Services Director/Deputy CEO, Gary Armstrong.  He also mentioned the impact of the 60th Anniversary celebration that will be held in 10 days.  He spoke of the Fireworks "challenges" - I'm beginning to hate that word - and of the new Fire Department re-deployment that began Sunday with the advent of two leased paramedic units.  This is the very beginning of Interim Fire Chief Tom Arnold's plan to improve emergency response service in Costa Mesa and save a bucket of money, too.  Hatch also mentioned the General Plan process, indicating the "visioning" meeting tonight and the Public Hearing next Monday, June 24th, at the Planning Commission meeting.

MONAHAN'S RUDENESS SET THE TONE

There were fifteen (15) items on the Consent Calendar and only two were pulled for separate discussion.  Monahan pulled #11, the proposed re-issue of the RFP for someone to handle our insurance brokerage services.  This has been dragging for months - the original RFP was issued last August.  After a brief discussion the Executive Vice President of our current provider, Alliant Insurance Services, stepped up to provide information about his organization and their services and seemed concerned that the council was about to change horses after more than two decades.  Monahan, in a bit of rudeness seldom seen from the dais, basically spit in his eye - telling him flat out that they had not done a good job for the city.  The man was left almost speechless.  The council, on a 3-2 vote (Genis and Leece voted no) chose to select Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services to provide the services.  I must tell you that this seemed more than a little strange...


HATCH'S RAISE AND THE BROWN ACT
Wendy Leece pulled item #15, the new contract for CEO Hatch, for discussion.  Actually, she was concerned about the timing of Righeimer's Daily Pilot commentary providing all the details of the proposed contract amendment last week before the council had a chance to vote on it tonight.  I mentioned contract City Attorney Tom Duarte's response.  I've not heard back from him yet.  Seems peculiar that the details discussed in a closed session would be divulged BEFORE the council had a chance to consider and vote on them.  I'll report back when I hear back.  The contract was approved on a 5-0 vote.  The issue was never about whether Hatch deserved a raise.  In fact, one speaker stepped up and said he should have had it a year ago!

CHANGING THE FIELD USE ALLOCATION POLICY
The council voted on all the other items on the Consent Calendar in one vote, 5-0.  So, for example, they approved the Parks and Recreation Commission's request to change the Field Use Allocation Policy without discussion.  This will be floating back before the council and I suspect there will be A LOT of discussion by the various user groups that are impacted by this change at that time.

PUBLIC NUISANCE ABATEMENT ORDINANCE
At 7:45 we finally got to Public Hearing #1, the Public Nuisance Abatement Policy.  An hour and a half later, after many speakers addressed this issue with concern and the council flogged it, the decision was made to NOT consider this a "first reading" because the proposed ordinance needed too much work.  It will return to the council for the real "first reading" the first meeting in August.

OVERLY-BROAD
Many concerns were expressed by council members and the public about the overly-broad language in the ordinance.  It's clear that one of the intentions of this ordinance is to provide a tool to "manage" drug and rehab homes and problem motels - I'm OK with that because we have too few tools in our toolbox for that purpose - but many expressed concerns about the possible mis-use of this particular version on regular residents.  I actually heard the term "gestapo" uttered by a staff member during the discussion!  I think the council did the wise thing by voting, 5-0, to shove this back to the staff for a major rehab before moving forward.  We'll write more about this when it returns this summer.

CDBG PUBLIC SERVICE GRANTS
Following a much-needed fifteen minute break the council re-convened at 9:30 for another contentious issue, Public Hearing #2, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Service Grant Allocations.  You can read the staff report HERE.  This item had been continued from an earlier meeting during which it became clear that some members didn't want to use these funds for some of the organizations recommended by the ad hoc committee charged with evaluating and recommending the amounts.  Mensinger, for example, preferred to put these dollars into infrastructure improvements, citing that it was "borrowed money".  Geez!  Anyhow, Hatch had modified the recommendations, chopping funding for several of the organizations and recommending only about 2/3 of the available funds be used, with the remainder going back to capital improvements.  At that time there was vagueness about the amount of money actually available from the government.  That issue was resolved and we were told there was actually more money available than anticipated.  One might have thought that revelation would soften the positions of certain council members - NOPE!

RESTORING NEEDED, VALUABLE FUNDING
So, the upshot is that, on a 3-2 vote (Mensinger and Righeimer voting NO), the council voted the CEO recommendations on Attachment A except they added $41,000 when they chose to restore the $20,000 for Collette's Children's Home, the $10,000 for Alzheimer's Family Services Center and provide $19,000 to Youth Employment Services and $10,000 to Elwyn.  Genis led the charge with crisp reminders of the obligation the council had to the previously-approved Consolidated Plan and Monahan and Leece went along.  In fairness to the opposition, they had proposed to consider funding  YES and Elwyn via the General Fund in the budget considerations later, but there was no guarantee that would happen.  This was a good move by the council.  Oh, yes.. Righeimer had earlier excused himself while the potential funding for Mercy House - he's a board member - was considered.  The council approved the CEO's recommendation on that one, 4-0.

QUICK DECISION
Next up was Public Hearing #3, dealing with CDBG and HOME funding.  They took ten minutes and approved the staff recommendation on a 5-0 vote.

THE BUDGET!
At 10:50 the discussion of the Municipal Budget began, with Hatch and Director of Finance and Information Technology, Bobby Young, carrying the ball.  You can read that staff report HERE.  It includes a fifteen (15) item list prepared by Hatch with his recommendations folding in the comments by council members during two previous study sessions on this issue.  As the discussion proceeded and decisions had to be made about where to find funds for some of those items, Mensinger suggested one source might be Hatch's $1 million contingency fund.  Righeimer slapped that one back with gusto, indicating they were NOT going to use the Contingency Fund before the budget was even approved.  I smiled.

FAIRVIEW PARK LIGHTS
Nine residents stepped up to address issues in the budget - most of them concerned about spending $650,000 for lights in Fairview Park parking lots.  This issue, alone, generated a lot of heat and not much illumination (sorry, couldn't resist).  One of the most laughable parts was when Mensinger had the staff play a video clip he apparently made as he drove through the south part of Fairview Park one night, alternately turning on and off the headlights on his truck to demonstrate how dangerous it was at night in the parking lot without lights.  On, Off... On, Off... On, Off.  I found myself wanting to scream to him, "Well, don't turn your lights off, you dummy!" - but I didn't, although I do confess to muttering it to myself.  Eventually, the council voted on this part of the budget all by itself, and it passed on a 3-2 vote, with Genis and Leece voting NO.

FINALLY PASSED AT MIDNIGHT
Eventually, it was decided to look for funding for items 9, 10 and 11 - all capital projects - in the fall, after we see how the budget year is progressing.  Items 12, 13, 14 and 15 might find funding from savings from the Jail outsourcing, although Genis expressed concern that those savings should actually be plowed back into law enforcement needs.  The council passed our Fiscal Year 2013-2014 budget of $132,280,839 on a 5-0 vote as the clock struck midnight.  It seemed somehow appropriate.

RELIEVED, THEY MOVE FASTER
Following a seven minute "new day" potty break, the council passed Public Hearing #5, the Appropriations Limit, 5-0.  They also made short work of Old Business #1, the three-year contract for managed investment services when they voted, 5-0 to award the contract to Chandler Asset Management, Inc. to help Young and his staff manage our assets.

PICKING THE RIGHT GUY?
New Business #1 was the selection of a replacement for Shawn Dewane, who resigned due to scheduling conflicts, on the Pension Oversight Committee.  This is the group that has been meeting WEEKLY since it was formed - it will meet again tonight.  The staff report, HERE, contains the applications for those who had previously applied, but had not been selected, from which the council was expected to choose a new member.  So, logic might suggest you'd look them over and pick the most qualified person, right?  Guess again!

PERFECT CANDIDATE
Leece did just that and suggested the council appoint Thomas J. Lightvoet to the committee.  Looking over the information provided he looks to be the most highly qualified candidate - by far!  In fact, if you were to attempt to build the perfect resume for this kind of a volunteer assignment, his would be the one you'd come up with.  He's worked for one of the most prestigious investment consulting firms in the country.  He owned his own pension advisory business.  He was a trustee of the Orange County Employee's Retirement System for decades. 

PHEW!
However, when Righeimer heard that name he reacted like he'd just stepped in dog poop!  He didn't even attempt subtlety when he threw that nomination back in Leece's face.  His reaction surprised even me, and I'm used to seeing him in these little fits of pique.

INSTEAD...
Instead, he offered up Ronald Robertson, a 25 year resident and small business owner (construction-related) whose adult children all went to the same school Righeimer's girls attend.  Robertson, who may be an absolutely great guy, has NO experience that is relevant to the assignment on the Pension Oversight Committee.  He was chosen on a 5-0 vote.  Imagine that!

WESTSIDE DEVELOPMENT SCREENING
Finally, the council spent the next 20 minutes or so discussing New Business #2, the screening request for a Westside live/work development, before adjourning to the meeting of July 2nd at 12:35 a.m.  Yawn!