Barrage Of Lies About Foley Continues

ANOTHER HIT PIECE IN THE MAIL THIS WEEK
Many voters, presumably women, received yet another lie-filled hit piece attempting to discredit Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley and impact her run for the State Senate seat currently held by incumbent Republican John Moorlach.  I wrote about the first one last week.  You can read it here if you wish. http://abubblingcauldron.blogspot.com/2020/02/hit-piece-on-foley-is-despicable.html

WE HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED IT, BUT...
We did not receive this particular hit piece, but several friends have and it's been widely shared on social media sites.  It is every bit as despicable as the previous one and clearly demonstrates that Foley's opponents in this race are very worried about her and will stop at nothing to diminish her chances of winning one of the two positions available in the General Election in November by quashing her chances in the Primary Election on March 3rd.

AN INTERESTING SIDEBAR
One interesting sidebar to this race is the venom being spewed on the Facebook site, Costa Mesa Public Square.  Some may recall that my friend, Bruce Krochman, launched this site several years ago as a venue for civilized political discussion.  Apparently unable to keep up with the demands of moderating the comments (I warned him about that in the beginning), he later passed it on to some rabid partisans - frustrated Republicans concerned about the loss of seats in local and state-wide bodies.  Those folks changed the focus and it became the repository of vile, overt partisan rants - despite what their homepage says about welcoming all viewpoints.

I WAS NUMBER 1
Krochman asked me to be participant Number 1 on his site, to which I agreed.  Several months later, as the site grew and it began to dominate my page I bowed out and stopped participating.  Later, as the rhetoric began to take on some unpleasant features, I tried to sign on again, but was rejected.  A year or so later I was begged, twice, by Admin Julie Mercurio, to please sign on again.  I politely declined.  The tone on the site was so dominated by unscrupulous individuals - including some then-current elected officials - that I felt it would be akin to me bashing myself over the head with a 2X4.  And life went on.

NASTY STUFF CONTINUES
However, in light of the uproar about these two anti-Foley mailers, the nasty tone on the site has ramped-up.  A friend who participates there shared some of the recent comments, one of which refers to me as an "ass blogger" and went on to denigrate Foley - the most effective mayor we've had in a couple decades, and the very first directly-elected mayor in City history.

CONSIDER THE SOURCES
I suggest that folks who are in a position to read the bilge published on the CMPS site consider the source of that crap.  Most of them are my fellow Republicans, petrified about the shifting political demographic in our region.  As one commenter on a Facebook thread decrying this latest mailer mentioned today, if you read that last mailer and just turn every accusation presented there 180 degrees you will have Foley's position on the issues.  The liars persist...

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.

Parks & Recreation Commission Meets Thursday Night

FINAL MEETING OF THE YEAR
The Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission meets for the final time this year on Thursday, November 17, 2016 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall.  You can read the full, short agenda HERE.

TREE REMOVAL
There are three items on the agenda.  The first is a tree removal request at 360 Bucknell Road, HERE.  The staff is recommending denial of the request.

CELL SITE AT SHIFFER PARK
The second item is the revisitation of the proposed Cell Site upgrades at Shiffer Park.  You can read that staff report HERE.

FAIRVIEW PARK ANNUAL REPORT
The final item on the agenda is the Fairview Park Annual Report, HERE.  It will be very interesting to see what impact, if any, the passage of Measure AA has on these deliberations.

WHO WILL REMAIN IN FEBRUARY?
The commission meets next on Thursday, January 26, 2017.  Two of the commissioner's terms expire in February - Kim Pederson and Julie Mercurio.  It is unknown how the new council majority will manage the vacancies on this and other commissions.

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.

Short Parks & Rec. Commission Meeting Anticipated

NOT MUCH ON THE AGENDA
The Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission meets Thursday, October 27, 2016 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall.  Due to the brevity of the agenda, HERE, it is anticipated that this meeting may be a short one.

TWO PLAQUE/TREE REQUESTS
There is one item on the Consent Calendar - items that in theory could be handled in one vote without discussion.  This one, HERE, is a request for the donation of two plaques and trees in honor of two women, Beverly Barck and Katharine Bequette, who were mainstays of the Costa Mesa Historical Society for years.  I see no reason for the commission to not simply approve this request without discussion.

ONE TREE REMOVAL REQUEST
There is one tree removal request, HERE, for 360 Bucknell Road.  Having read the staff report I can see why the staff recommends denial of the request.

EXPANSION OF CELL SITE AT SHIFFER PARK
The final item on the agenda, HERE, is the request for guidance by the commission for the proposed expansion of the existing cell site at Shiffer Park.  This kind of request is unusual, so the discussion might be interesting.

 PARK DISTRICT COMMISSIONER REPORTS
At the end of the meeting we are scheduled to hear the Park District Commissioner Reports - when each commissioner provides us with a kind of "state of their parks" for each of their assigned areas.  This will be the first such report for Julie Mercurio, so it will be interesting to hear her put more than two words together for a change.

The meeting will be adjourned to Thursday, November 17, 2016.

Parks & Rec. Commission Meeting Preview

SHOULD BE A SHORT MEETING
The Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission meets tomorrow evening in City Council Chambers at City Hall beginning at 6:00.  You can read the full agenda HERE.  As is usually the case, the agenda is thin and I would anticipate this meeting ending before 8:00 p.m.

CAMERAS AND HORSE VAULTING?
There is an Instructional Class Proposal, HERE, for the commissioners to consider involving using DSLR cameras and two involving Horse Vaulting.  Yeah, horse vaulting.

YANKING TREES FROM OUR URBAN FOREST
In addition, there are three (3) tree removal requests, HERE, HERE and HERE. The last two are Canary Island Pines, a species that has been under attack in our city over the past couple years.  The staff has recommended denying each of those requests.

ADIOS, BRUCE!
Of special interest to me is that this will be the first meeting without Maintenance Services Manager Bruce Hartley, who retired last Friday after a long career with the City.  It's my understanding that he left to join former Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz in a private sector organization.  So, we've lost yet another senior manager.

I'M GOING TO THE TOWN HALL INSTEAD
I will not be attending this meeting - I'm going to the CM4RG Town Hall at the Neighborhood Community Center at the same time.  I will tape the meeting and report on it eventually.  I'll be interested to see if new commissioner Julie Mercurio shows up, and if she does, will she speak?

Bad News About Our Urban Forest

SMALL AGENDA TOOK AWHILE
The Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission met last night and had a light agenda, HERE.  However, it still took more than two hours for them to work their way through it.

MARINE GOWN DRIVE
Beth Refakes reminded us of the current gown drive for the Marines at Camp Pendleton that continues through September 15th.  Donations may be dropped off at City Hall.

 BANNING RANCH HEARING
An unidentified speaker reminded us of the Banning Ranch hearing at the Newport Beach City Hall on September 7th beginning at 9:00 a.m.  She also encouraged us all to vote.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Commissioner Julie Mercurio had nothing to say.  (I feared she had permanently lost her voice, since she's had nothing to say for the past several meetings on any subject).

Byron de Arakal told the commission that AB 385, the bill to do away with Daylight Saving Time, died on the Senate floor.  He also mentioned AJR28, which apparently is designed to make Daylight Savings Time permanent year around.  He spoke about the negative impact of AB 109 and Prop 47 on our communities and spoke of Prop 57, which is on the November ballot, which will only exacerbate the negative impacts of the other two.  He spoke of the sucess of the OC Fair and the Olympics and local Olympic stars.

Kim Pederson spoke about the Master Plan Outreach meetings, citing a good turnout of passionate people.  He also spoke of the need to move forward with lighting fields, and that the Newport Mesa School District Board just approved a contract with a consultant to study which of their fields might receive permanent lighting.  He said, flat out, that we have plenty of fields, just not enough of them lighted.

Bob Graham showed images of Vista Park, along Victoria Street, to demonstrate the danger that exists due to a lack of fencing and asked Bruce Hartley if it was possible to install a fence.  He told Graham that it didn't make the cut in the last few budgets.  Graham also asked that somebody consider acquiring naming rights to Huntington Beach State Park and call it Costa Mesa State Park.

Chairman Brett Eckles commented on the Olympics, then told us the past 3, 4 and 5 years he has never seen so much support for sports in the city and gave credit to Steve Mensinger for this "achievment" - as blatant a campaign plug as I've seen lately.  He also spoke of the need for lighted fields, citing the fact that 89% of the fields in our city are school district fields.

TREE REMOVAL
Most of the time was spent dealing with yet another tree removal request at 3081 Klondike Avenue, in the neighborhood entered from Bear Street via Yukon, HERE.  That neighborhood entry has been the subject of controversy - and numerous tree removal requests - for several years.  The predominant tree, the Canary Island Pine, is a beautiful tree but it turns out to have been a problematic choice when this development was created.  The applicant, Gabriella Oseguera, was joined by more than a half-dozen of her neighbors requesting  trees in the parkway and adjacent to her property on the slope landscaped area be removed.

COMPROMISE DECISION
The result, after much discussion, was to have one tree that apparently is damaging a wall removed at the City's expense and the remaining two - those in the parkway - removed at the applicants cost, which includes a 3-for-one replacement.  It was decided to NOT replace those specific trees, but the replacement of trees would occur elsewhere in the city.

URBAN FOREST IN BIG TROUBLE
During his Maintenance Services Managers report Bruce Hartley provides some grim information to the commission.  Due to the ongoing drought conditions our urban forest is in bad shape.  He ticked off many statistics - none of which were available as a staff report online.  He spoke of the diseases that are affecting our forest, including the shot hole borer that afflicts Sycamore trees in town.  He told the commission that more frequent watering will begin the solution, but it won't happen overnight.  It will take years of "normal" rainfall for the forest to regain a healthy condition.

WHAT ABOUT HOMELESS IMPACT ON PARKS?
Commissioner Kim Pederson asked Hartley about the impact of the homeless on our parks.  Hartley told him it was a HUGE impact, and that the maintenance of our parks is much more complicated due to the encampments in them.  He cited the need to pick up drug paraphernalia and the need to frequently powerwash places like the Senior Center due to the infestation of homeless folks.  He told us he's heard from mothers who are afraid to visit the parks because of the homeless/rehab folks who infest them.

RECREATION PROGRAMS FLOURISHING
Justin Martin's Recreation Manager's Report was more positive.  The summer programs are winding down and enrollment was good.  The City will offer 199 classes during the upcoming fall session.

SHE SPEAKS!
Oh, yes.. new commissioner Julie Mercurio apparently has found her voice again. She actually spoke a few times during the meeting, although her inexperience and apparent lack of doing her homework showed through.  We expect more from her.