Dear Me... No Lee For Us To See...

FORUM TOMORROW
As most of you already know, Mesa Verde Community, Inc. will be hosting a forum for the eight (8)  candidates for Costa Mesa City Council tomorrow, Thursday, August 21, 2014 at the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue (Lions Park) beginning with a "meet and greet" at 6:30 and a two-hour program commencing at 7:00.  Mesa Verde Community, Inc. President Darnell Wyrick will moderate the event.

DUCKING THE ISSUES?
I find it VERY curious that my Eastside neighbor, Lee Ramos, has decided to blow this forum off.  According to Brad Zint's article in the Daily Pilot, HERE,  Ramos' Campaign Manager Dennis Popp - the pompous pontificator and publisher of a nearly incomprehensible blog - said Ramos "will be focusing on meeting with voters rather than performing at PR events."  That's a curiously condescending description of an event being conducted by an organization of which he is Treasurer!  In election cycles past this forum has been a valuable opportunity for voters to hear the positions of the candidates and assess their ideas.

WHY?
Popp goes on to be further quoted as saying, "Our key issue is allocating time and resources.  We chose to emphasize contacting residents to learn what they think, rather than to talk to them from the stage."  Really?  So, in an election so critical to the future of the city, Popp apparently doesn't want a large group of interested voters to have the opportunity to hear what his candidate thinks about issues, huh?  Very interesting.

BUT...
Even more curious is the fact that Popp told Zint that his man, Ramos, DOES plan to attend the Feet To The Fire Forum on September 18th - an event that has had much more aggressive questioning in the past.

HOPE HE ATTENDS
I hope Ramos, shown here texting during a Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee meeting, has a change of heart and does attend the forum Thursday.  The voters deserve an opportunity to hear his thoughts on what he thinks are the biggest challenges the city faces, and his potential solutions.  It's difficult to know what to make of his decision to duck this event. 


BE THERE OR...
In any event, I'll see you there... should be an interesting, informative, evening.

More From The Council Meeting

YAWN...
Still bleary-eyed and sleep-deprived, I'm back to report on some of the other things that happened at the marathon Costa Mesa City Council meeting last night/this morning.

MESA VERDE COMMUNITY, INC., SAYS THANKS
Right off the bat we had a couple nice presentations.  Darnell Wyrick, President of Mesa Verde Community, Inc., the homeowners association for that part of town, made a nice presentation to Ernesto Munoz, Director of Public Services for the City.  The presentation included a PowerPoint show of projects completed over the past several months that positively affected the Mesa Verde community.

JOHN SENDREY RECOGNIZED
Then Mayor Jim Righeimer presented a certificate to John Sendrey, the Costa Mesa resident who facilitated the rescue of Kyndall Jack from her precarious situation in the Cleveland National Forest.  His is an example of a person with a special skill set who saw a need and filled it.  Kudos to him for taking the initiative and helping to save a life in the process.

WATER ISSUES
During Public Comments several residents stepped up with a litany of observations/complaints.  For example, Ernie Feeney told the council that the city spends almost $635,000 to Mesa Water each year, so she's looking for some kind of intervention on the way that district spends their money.  Geez!

PARKING AND POOCHES

Bob Dugan wanted more handicapped parking at the golf course.  Al Melone used his time to rave about the new Newport Beach Dog Park instead of griping about ours, as has been his practice in recent months.  Every time he speaks I think how wise the voters were to reject him as a council candidate last November.

LOUD AND GRUMPY - AND WRONG
Then curmudgeonly John Feeney - the second part of the family tag team - stepped up and railed about "a blogger" (me, I guess) who "inaccurately" posted about the requirement for candidates for city appointment to the Senior Center Board to pony up $500.  He was obnoxious in his own special way - but he was wrong.  What we reported was on the City announcement - and that included the requirement for the payment.  They later changed their entry... It might have been helpful for Old John to talk with me first, to save the embarrassment of being wrong at such a high volume.  By the way, things are not good between the City and the Senior Corporation Board.  The Board is having a tough time with fundraising and there seems to be no sympathy for their plight at City Hall.


BUSINESS LICENSE FEES

Perry Valantine stepped up to address the Business License Fee, which he reminded the council has not been changed since 1961.  His three minutes was eloquent and accurate.  There is NO reason not to discuss changes in that fee - except for a political dogma being followed by the majority on the council.

ALLIGATORS AND SWAMPS
Then a grumpy old fella stepped up and gave us his "alligators and swamp" story again, using the recent gang stabbing as cannon fodder.  He wants the city to stop spending money on silly essential stuff and buy up "slums" - his term for apartments where Latinos live in our city - so they can be torn down and replaced with pocket parks.  I wonder if he realizes just how tiresome that argument is getting?  Or, if he cares?


OC MARATHON
Gary Kutcher, the head of the OC Marathon,  stepped up to thank everyone who supported that event again this year.  He told us that more than 1,000 room nights were generated in Costa Mesa facilities due to the race, that more than $300,000 will be raised as a result and that 4,500 kids ran in the short race.


ADIOS, NAGHAVI

Cindy Brenneman told the council that she enjoyed cheering the marathoners on as they ran through her neighborhood.  Her main reason for speaking, though, was to recognize Peter Naghavi - who will finally leave the employment of The City this Friday.  According to CEO Tom Hatch, a replacement has been hired and is undergoing the background check and should start to work the first week of June.  Naghavi will actually be impossible to replace.  His dedication, tenure, skills and institutional knowledge have made him the perfect employee - as I've written here before.  We wish him well.  To learn more about this fascinating man watch the City Talk video clip from last December, HERE.

LEECE INFORMS US

During Council Member Comments Wendy Leece promoted the OCTA Citizen's Advisory Committee and the Relay for Life and tried to recruit members for her team.  Righeimer said he'd sign up right then.  She also talked about the Art in the Park event at Estancia Park on May 11 and the General Plan workshop at the Emergency Operations Center on May 15th from 6-7:30.

AT LEAST HE SHOWED UP
Gary Monahan had nothing to say.

LAS VEGAS BOONDOGGLE AND CHARTER RANT
Righeimer reminded us that he will be out of town with Mayor Pro Tem Mensinger and an entourage to Las Vegas from May 19 - 22nd, so he asked Leece to run the council meeting on May 21st.  Let's just hope we have a quorum.  After making a snide, backhand remark about the Senior Center requirement for $500 for Board members (you'll recall I said all is not well with The City and the Board) he launched into his little "why we need a charter" mini-rant.  He dredged up his "$41 dollar an hour sign holder" and complained about how "the employees" refused to let him outsource certain operations.  He also blamed the employees for the litigation.  I looked, but didn't see his nose growing yet.

BIRTHDAYS, BRAIN DAMAGE AND WRITING CHECKS

Steve Mensinger used his time, in part, to wish his son, Hunter, a happy 14th birthday - and complained about how public service makes him miss these days.  He also addressed Naghavi's pending departure, citing 587 meetings Naghavi attended in that venue and mentioned "brain damage"!  Somebody needs to remind Steve that the council chambers is not a locker room where every word that runs across his mind needs to be said!  What a schmuck!  He also told Harold Weitzberg, whom he apparently had promised to participate on a team for the Relay for Life, that he couldn't make it, so he'll write a check.  That seems to be a prevailing theme in his life - got a problem, write a check.

GENIS CORRECTS THE RECORD

Sandra Genis, among other things, corrected a misstatement made earlier by Righeimer concerning the need to outsource our Street Sweeping operations or we'll have to buy all new equipment.  She reminded him that our equipment is grandfathered in.  She also talked about Banning Ranch and also thanked Naghavi for his service.

HATCH'S REPORT

CEO Tom Hatch presented us with a list of coming events over the next few weeks:

• Monday, May 13th in Conference Room 1A at 4:30 there will be a joint study session with the Planning Commission and the City Council so the commission can get its marching orders.
• Tuesday, May 14th, also in Conference Room 1A at 4:30 there will be a similar joint study session with the council and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
• Following that meeting, at 6:00, there will be a closed session council meeting.
• On Wednesday, May 15th, at 6:00 in the Emergency Operations Center there will be a General Plan Workshop.
• On Thursday, May 16th, there will be a 60th Anniversary Community Meeting at 6:00 in council chambers.
• On Tuesday, May 21st, there will be a council meeting in council chambers at 6:00.
• On Tuesday, May 28th there will be a Budget Study Session in Conference Room 1A at 4:30.

 He also spoke about the recent successful Mayor's Celebration, which has been running on Costa Mesa Television, Channel 3 on Time Warner Cable and Channel 99 on ATT U-Verse.  I don't have the link for it yet.

CONSENT CALENDAR
We finally got to the Consent Calendar - you will recall that Righeimer prefers that nobody pulls anything for separate discussion.  However, life is full of unfulfilled expectations.  Items 5, 7, 8, 10 and 12 were pulled and the remainder were passed with a 5-0 vote.

ESPINOSA'S LISTENING MEETINGS
Item #5, was pulled by Leece because of the payment of $14,000 to Chip Espinosa.  Hatch explained the charge.  Espinosa is conducting a series of "listening sessions" among the employees to get a sense of how they are feeling about having to do more with fewer people, etc.   I had correspondence with Assistant CEO Rick Francis about this program last week.  He told me that Espinosa is almost finished with the assignment and that it would cost no more than $39,500.  He says a final report will be presented to the council and employees, so I hope it will also be made public.  I've had some experience with these kinds of programs in the past.  Typically, they create expectations on the part of the employees that "things will get better" as a result.  If they don't, then whatever morale issues that existed before are only exacerbated.  Quite frankly, from comments I've heard, Espinosa has been surprised with the results of these small group meetings - and not in a positive way.  We'll see.

MANAGED INVESTMENTS

Genis pulled #7, the three year contract for Managed Investment Services, HERE,  for discussion and former employee and lawyer, Eleanor Egan, stepped up to comment and basically read the council the riot act.  She wondered about exparte communications between the vendor (s) and council members.  She told them the contract attached had not been approved by the City Attorney as to form, that it included unlimited terms, there was an exhibit missing, that this kind of thing led to the county bankruptcy a few years ago and on and on.  The upshot of the discussion was that this item was continued on a 5-0 vote until the June 4, 2013 meeting, at which the staff will have resolved the issues in question.

DEFERRED COMP.
Leece pulled Item #8, HERE,  the Deferred Comp plan issue, for clarification.  After the issue was cleared up both Monahan and Genis abstained because they participate in the plan.  It passed, 3-0.

435 NEW COMPUTERS
The grumpy old fella mentioned above pulled #12, HERE, - which was taken out of order just because he was standing at the podium - the issue of purchasing 435 new desktop computers.  He mixed his criticism with mis-information.  Other community members stepped up to support the move and it was passed, 5-0.

HARBOR SOARING SOCIETY RENEWAL
Genis pulled #10, HERE, the renewal of the Harbor Soaring Society agreement and appeared satisfied with the one-year renewal because the new Fairview Park Advisory Committee will soon begin doing an assessment of the entire park and its amenities.  It was passed, 5-0.

A FINAL NOTE...
From there we launched into the Public Hearing on the development on Tustin Avenue, which was covered in my previous post.  One amusing sidelight during that discussion I failed to mention was Steve Mensinger's apparent brain burp when he addressed Principal Planner Minoo Ashabi as "Fariba" - apparently confusing Ms. Ashabi with City Engineer Fariba Faselli.  I guess all women look alike to him.  That's OK - that's just "Steve being Steve" - an excuse he's lived by most of his life.  As I said earlier, what a schmuck!

Costa Mesa Forum Replay Schedules

TIME FOR A SECOND LOOK?
Since it's kind of a slow week here in Costa Mesa I thought it might be a good time to provide you with opportunities to view, or re-view, the videos from the first two Costa Mesa City Council Candidate Forums.  They are provided to you by our friends at CMTV, Dane Bora and Brad Long, on both streaming video and programmed into the play lists on CMTV - Channel 24 on Time Warner Cable and Channel 99 on ATT U-verse.

MESA VERDE COMMUNITY, INC.
The first forum, hosted by Mesa Verde Community, Inc., and moderated by their president, Darnell Wyrick, was held on August 29th.  You can view it on streaming video HERE or watch it on television on the schedule shown below. 

FEET TO THE FIRE
The second forum, the Feet To The Fire Forum, moderated by the ever-vivacious Barbara Venezia, was held on September 5th and can be viewed on streaming video HERE or on television on the schedule shown below.  You also might be interested in Barbara's assessment of the candidates at her event, HERE.

 NEXT - COSTA MESA UNITED FORUM
The next forum will be held on Thursday, September 20th, also at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue (Lions Park) and is hosted by Costa Mesa United.  Their program begins with a "meet and greet" opportunity from 6-7 and the actual program runs from 7-9.  The emphasis will be on Academics, Athletics and Activities and will be moderated by their president, Gordon Bowley.  Originally they expected to have council candidates as well as candidates for school board seats.  That fell apart when the school board candidates had no opposition.  So, only council candidates will be involved in this one.  I'll remind you about it again early next week. 

THE CHARTER DEBATE
The final two events in the run to the election will be the Feet To The Fire debate of Jim Righeimer's Charter featuring its sperm donor, Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer, versus former City Council member and current Newport Mesa Unified School District Trustee Katrina Foley.  That will be held at the Neighborhood Community Center on October 15th beginning at 6:30 and should be a lively event.
 
 

EASTSIDE NEIGHBORS GROUP
The final forum will be hosted by the Eastside Costa Mesa Neighbors Group and will be held at the same venue on October 18th, also beginning at 6:30.  In the last election cycle their event was the best, so we have high expectations this time around.

Civility Reigns At Mesa Verde Community, Inc., Forum

SMOOTH AND CIVILIZED
Well, that was disappointing!  No slings... No arrows... No barbs aimed at fellow candidates.. No name-calling.  All in all, the Costa Mesa City Council Candidate Forum produced by our friends from Mesa Verde Community, Inc., was a pretty darn civilized affair.  And it was well-run, to boot!  Heck, even the audience was courteous and respectful!

WYRICK RUNS A TIGHT SHIP
An audience of more than 250 souls who came out to see the first of five forums this season were treated to an informative, crisply-moderated event.  Mesa Verde Community, Inc., President Darnell Wyrick ran a tight ship.  He defined the rules in the beginning and enforced them as the evening moved forward.  In 90 minutes he managed to ask 14 questions of the candidates, each of whom were given one or two minutes to respond, depending on the question.  He avoided questions directed specifically at one person, choosing to select those that could be answered by every candidate.

 Darnell Wyrick

WHAT THE CASUAL OBSERVER MIGHT THINK
Permit me an observation before I get into specifics of the evening.  If a resident walked in off the street with no preconceptions about any of the candidates and only a limited knowledge of the major issues facing Costa Mesa today and into the future, I suspect that person would come away from the evening being impressed with the high quality of candidates from which he will choose in November.  With the exception of Al Melone, who clearly was not up to speed on most issues, all the others would have been assessed as smart, knowledgeable, passionate and articulate.  Even Melone came across as a likable fellow, just not very informed.  I suspect my theoretical visitor might be hard pressed to make a selection based only on his exposure to the candidates last night.

 THE INTRODUCTION
Wyrick gave each candidate a chance to introduce themselves and - setting the tone for the rest of the evening - he permitted the only woman on the panel, Sandra Genis, to go first.  She emphasized her previous tenure on the City Council - from 1988 - 1996 - and refreshed the memory of the audience about the accomplishments from that tour.  She spoke of being raised in Costa Mesa and of her background as a Land Use consultant.

 Sandra Genis

Colin McCarthy emphasized his decision to move to Costa Mesa, his municipal involvements and his family.

Al Melone spoke of his 8 years as a Costa Mesa resident and his background as a CPA.  His areas of interest included Fireworks, which he strongly opposes.  That means at least half the population will find him unacceptable as a candidate.

Steve Mensinger mentioned he'd lived in Costa Mesa "about 30 years", that he's part of an "energized family", that he enjoys public service and - not surprisingly - was the first person to allude to the whole Righeimer DUI issue.  I had speculated that it might take one or two questions before someone found a way to fold it into a response.  Turns out I was optimistic - Mensinger didn't even let us get to the questions.

Gary Monahan mentioned his long service on the council and other organizations, his six kids and that he's NOT seeking higher office.  He stressed what a busy life he has, with his restaurant being a 7-day-a-week job.  I found myself wondering how he will find time to govern, especially since he resigned as Mayor earlier this year, citing being too busy.

John Stephens talked of his 28 years as a Costa Mesa resident, his Little League leadership experience, his profession as a lawyer and briefly that he opposes the Charter.

Harold Weitzberg mentioned being a 29 year resident and stressed his slogan, Unity, Safety, Prosperity.

NOTE:  I'm not going to try to give you a verbatim transcription of the answers the candidates provided.  Costa Mesa Television was taping the proceedings and that tape will be available for viewing soon.  Take the time to view it on Channel 24 or 99 (Att. U-Verse) - it will be 90 minutes well-spent.

THEIR FIRST SIX MONTHS?
Just after 7:30 Wyrick asked his first question.  He asked each of the candidates what they would try to do during their first six months in office.  McCarthy said expand the bike infrastructure.  Melone said he'd push for a Fireworks referendum.  Mensinger said he'd expand our ordinances and transparency.  Genis said she'd try to develop a more collaborative approach to negotiating with the employees and find a place for a new Veterans Hall.  Monahan said he'd push to finish the outsourcing.  Stephens said he'd try to resolve the lawsuit between employees and The City because we're "hemorrhaging money to Jones Day".  Weitzberg said he'd come to terms with the service organizations.

Colin McCarthy

2ND PENSION TIER?
The second question asked for their view on a second pension tier.  Basically, they all are for it.

PRIVATE CONTRACTORS?
The third question asked if we should hire private contractors.  All agreed that we should.  McCarthy would not support outsourcing public safety jobs.  Genis mentioned that the current council didn't follow the rules which caused the lawsuit and millions in legal fees.  Stephens stress doing it in a responsible way.  Weitzberg stressed doing it in an orderly fashion.

 Steve Mensinger

MENSINGER'S "COIN" PROGRAM
The fourth question asked their opinion of the recently proposed COIN program.  Weitzberg said it was a great first start, but they didn't go far enough.  It should be aimed at a broader application, not just labor relations.  Stephens agreed with it, but was worried about how the normal "back and forth" in negotiations might be affected.  He thought it would really slow the process.  Monahan said it is "history cutting", whatever that means.  Genis expressed similar views and was concerned about contract costs.  Mensinger liked it.  He should - it's his idea.  Melone said it's a long time coming.  McCarthy said it is "pretty revolutionary" and that it would get rid of "unfair negotiating".

CHARTER SUMMARY
Wyrick then asked his fifth question - he asked each candidate to provide a summary of their views on the Charter, since many of the questions he had seemed to come from the Charter.  McCarthy said he was disappointed it didn't get on the June ballot because he was sure it would have passed.  He stressed local control.  Melone supported the charter, but didn't articulate his reasons.  Mensinger said he "clearly support the charter."  He stressed local control and money savings by outsourcing.  Genis said she supported a good charter, but this is not a good charter.  She mentioned you can already outsource without a Charter.  She stressed what the Charter doesn't have and pointed to Section 103.  She said it was too open-ended and mentioned it removes all restrictions on the sale of public lands.  Monahan, in the first instance of criticism of fellow panelists, referred to some previous comments as "end of the world scenarios".  He liked the Charter and stressed local control and savings - specifically the prevailing wage clause.  Stephens is against the Charter.  He mentioned that he had, that afternoon, read EVERY charter in Orange County, and referred to section 401 and 103.  He also mentioned that one thing our Charter does not have is something EVERY other charter has - the requirement for an annual financial audit.  Weitzberg is against THIS Charter and encouraged the potential voters to forget about the current council and this panel and think about future councils and how they might abuse such an open-ended document.

 John Stephens

"NO TAX" PLEDGE?
Wyrick then asked if any of the panelists had previously pledged not to raise taxes.  Mensinger, Monahan and McCarthy said "yes".  The others said "no".

NOTICE PROCESS?
He then asked a convoluted question which the panelists chose to interpret as whether they would shorten the notice process for development.  They all said "no".  I'm still not sure what the original question was.

CAMPAIGN DOLLARS?
Wyrick then asked if any had accepted money from political parties or PACs.  All except Monahan said "no".  He said "not yet".

 Gary Monahan

RE-HEARINGS?
Next was a question clearly aimed at Wendy Leece's recent request for a re-hearing of an issue.  Wyrick asked how they will handle it when they are on the short end of votes.  Each generally said, "move on".

PUBLIC SAFETY CONTRACTS?
Wyrick then asked about negotiating with public safety associations when the contracts are not up for two years.  Weitzberg said it doesn't mean we shouldn't be talking with them.  He stressed the need to get away from the "climate of uncertainty."  Stephens said "a contract is a contract".  He then stressed that it's a matter of safety at stake.  Monahan emphasized the need to a 2nd tier.  Genis said we should negotiate without name-calling and insults.  Mensinger evoked chuckles from the audience when he said is "very little politics" involved, then - again - referred to the current lawyer issues.  Melone said we have no legal obligation.  McCarthy wondered why we don't have a 2nd tier already, then referred to the Private Investigator that tailed Righeimer.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA?
Then we came to the issue of Medical Marijuana.  Each of them supported LEGAL Medical Marijuana.

 Harold Weitzberg

RETAINING KIDS IN COSTA MESA SCHOOLS?
The final question asked the panelists what they would do as a council member to encourage parents to enroll their children in Costa Mesa schools instead of transferring to other districts or private schools.  Weitzberg said upgrade academic delivery.  Go with our strengths, citing specialized schools.  Give the kids a reason to want to go to the CM schools.  Stephens, whose children attend catholic schools, said work closely with the new superintendent, Dr. Navarro.  Monahan didn't answer the question, stressing that we have "lots of good things in our schools".  Genis stressed that she is a product of the Costa Mesa schools and suggested an academic decathlon to build pride in academic accomplishment.  Mensinger, stressing that this was near and dear to his heart, said currently about 1,000 children from his Mesa Verde neighborhood attend non-Costa Mesa schools, and mentioned Davis Magnet School as a good example of what can be done.  Melone said the parents should do what's best for their kids.  McCarthy said the city is only as good as its schools, that it's a "top down process" and praised Sonora School.

Al Melone

SUMMATIONS
In their summations the candidates said the following, paraphrased:

Weitzberg - He's there to provide new leadership and return the power to the residents of Costa Mesa

Stephens - He said he's a good listener.  He wants to be the voice for the people.  He stressed "I've got your back".

Monahan - He stressed his track record, specifically mentioning his long service.  He said the City is at a crossroads and mentioned the Charter, Outsourcing, pensions, the associations and "financial availability", whatever that means.

Genis - She said she will put the residents of the City FIRST.  She stressed the need to maintain our neighborhoods to avoid what she called the "circle of blight".

Mensinger - Told us he learned about honesty in politics on the fields.  He said that government has lost its way and that he understands how to do things.  He said we need to re-prioritize.

Melone - Said he's just not a politician and that he'd be happy to be someone's third choice.

McCarthy - He said he and his family love Costa Mesa for its arts, diversity and uniqueness.  He was sorry more time wasn't spent on Finances and encouraged folks to call him.  He said, "Come talk to me".



RIGHEIMER OBSERVES
And that was that.  I did see a VERY interested observer in the crowd - a man who has had perhaps the most interesting week of his life over the past seven days.  Wyrick wrapped up the meeting and folks milled around for another hour, chatting with candidates and friends.  

 Jim Righeimer

FEET TO THE FIRE NEXT WEEK
Now on to the NEXT forum, on Wednesday, September 5th, when Barbara Venezia and her band of merry Feet To The Fire interrogators will likely not let the candidates off quite as easily.  I'll report on that early next week.