Two Committees Off And Running

TWO MORE COMMITTEES GOOD TO GO
As mentioned in my earlier post, the new Finance and Pension Advisory Committee and the re-constituted Bikeway and Walkability Committee both met yesterday, elected leaders and have launched themselves off on their assigned tasks.  Although I attended neither meeting, sources who were in attendance provided some insight for us.

FINANCE AND PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHOOSES FISLER AND TABOADA
The Finance and Pension Advisory Committee chose former Planning Commissioner and current Mesa Water Board member Jim Fisler as Chairman and Ralph Taboada as Vice Chair.  Members Wendy Leece, Taboada, Robert Juneman, John Hinson and Anna Vrska were selected to become members of the Pension Working Group, a sub-committee that apparently will be charged with examining the pension issues and providing information to the broader group.  Although the information was a little fuzzy, it seems that Taboada will act as chair of that group.  It's unclear when they will next meet.

BUDGET SHORTFALL PROBABLE...
Among the issues discussed were the current year budget - apparently all signs indicate a slight budget shortfall by the end of the fiscal year in June.  I'm told Interim Finance Director Steve Dunivent provided a series of options for the council to consider.

NEW FIRE PLAN NOT DISCUSSED
There was a plan to hear from Fire Chief Dan Stefano on the latest iteration of his deployment plan, but that didn't happen.  This item is on the agenda for the City Council meeting on Tuesday.

So, this group is organized and ready to operate.  Thanks to the volunteers who formed this group.  They meet next on May 10th.

*****

BIKE COMMITTEE CHOOSES ERICKSON AND MC DONALD TO LEAD THEM
The Bikeway and Walkability Committee met at the Senior Center last evening and chose Jim Erickson as Chairman and Cynthia McDonald was selected to continue as Vice Chair.  All members, as well as Chamber of Commerce liaison Brent Stoll, attended.  Mayor Katrina Foley and NMUSD liaison Dr. Kirk Bauermeister were absent.

ALL BRIEFED AND READY TO GO
According to Public Services Director Raja Sethuraman, the committee was briefed on important procedural issues - the Brown Act, etc., - and were oriented about recent accomplishments and discussed issues they would like to address moving forward.  Again, another good group, willing to work for the betterment of the of the community.  Thanks to them all.  They will next meet on Wednesday, May 3rd.

Of Bikes And Bucks - Two Meetings Today

FIRST MEETINGS FOR TWO COMMITTEES
Two re-constituted Costa Mesa committees meet for the first time today, will select officers and make sub-committee assignments for the work ahead.

FINANCE AND PENSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The new Finance and Pension Advisory Committee, combined by the City Council recently to blend the technical expertise required for discussions of both the Pension issue and the broader Finance issues, meets for the first time today in Conference Room 1A at City Hall beginning at 4:30 p.m.  You can read the agenda report HERE.

BLENDING THE TALENTS
This group is an amalgamation of old and new members of both the two previous committees, so it should be interesting to see how the backgrounds and personalities mesh (or clash) as they work to provide potential solutions for the City Council.  The members of this committee are:
Jim Fisler
Robert Juneman
John Hinson
Wendy Leece
Al Melone
Nick Peterson
Tom Pollitt
Richard Riva
Ralph Taboada
Rebecca Trahan
Anna Vrska
Sandra Genis is the Mayor's Designee

PENSION WORKING GROUP?
I did notice on the agenda the selection of the Pension Working Group members.  One of the reasons for combining the Pension and Finance committees was to save on staff time.  I wonder if this sub-group will meet separately, how frequently and how much extra staff time will be required for this particular activity?  It makes me wonder of the wisdom of combining the two committees if they're going to have a separate group discussing pensions.  Curious, indeed.

BIKEWAY AND WALKABILITY COMMITTEE
Then, beginning at 6:00 p.m., the new Bikeway and Walkability Committee meets at the Costa Mesa Senior Center, 695 W. 19th Street.  This is an earlier start time than previously and this is an unusual date due to the recent creation of this group.  You can read this agenda report HERE.

The new members of this committee are:
Alan Engard
Jim Erickson
Michelle Fay
Robert Graham
Michael Habitz
Richard Huffman II
James Kane
Dan Leibson
Andrew Levins
Flo Martin
Cynthia McDonald
John C. Merrill
Kari Nieblas Vozenilek
Scott Porterfield
Ralph Taboada
City Council Liaison is Mayor Katrina Foley
Newport-Mes Unified School District Liaison is Dr. Kirk Bauermeister
Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce Liaison is Brent Stoll

START PEDDLING, RALPH!
This should be an interesting afternoon/evening for you committee-watchers.  It will be especially interesting for Ralph Taboada, who has previously held leadership positions in both committees, as he sprints from one to the other today.

WON'T ATTEND, BUT WILL TRY TO REPORT ANYHOW
A previously-scheduled social event precludes me from attending either of these meetings, but I'll attempt to report of each from alternate sources.

THANKS, FOLKS...
Thanks to all above for their dedication and for volunteering to spend the time and energy to improve things in our city.

Bike Committee Wrestles With 19th Street - Both Ends

19TH STREET ISSUES DOMINATED THE DISCUSSIONS
The Costa Mesa Bikeway and Walkability Committee met again last night at the Costa Mesa Senior Center from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. to continue their tasks.  Last night those tasks included heavy doses of 19th Street.  Most of the committee members were present

PACKED HOUSE
I arrived about five minutes late after my dash from Corona del Mar and missed Public Comments.  As I entered the room I found the audience section packed with interested residents, eager to hear, and participate, in discussions to be held.

WEST 19TH STREET BIKE TRAIL
First up was the much-flogged West 19th Street Bicycle Trail Project, which extends from the end of West 19th Street into Talbert Nature Reserve.  This issue was recently discussed by the City Council, who directed staff to return it to this committee for further vetting.  There's not much to vet because the issue at hand - the development of an environmental report for the proposed project - is already approved.  Nevertheless, the committee gave the issue a thorough going-over.

CINDY BLACK SAYS NO...
Resident and environmental activist Cindy Black - not a member of the committee - was invited to present a short slide show reflecting her opinion of why this project as presently constituted is a bad idea.  She showed slides of the current, rain-drenched condition of the area in question and also showed examples of recent illegal removal of vegetation.  She also questioned why, since the City of Costa Mesa does not own this property, we should be spending any money on these studys.  She showed images of protected and endangered species that would be impacted by the planned concrete roadway.  Five members of the public addressed this issue, too.  The committee ended up spending an hour dissecting and discussing this subject.

EAST 19TH STREET TRAFFIC CALMING
Next up was the other end of 19th Street - the so-called East 19th Street Neighborhood Traffic Managment Project.  This issue drew many of my Eastside neighbors to discuss it, particularly in context with a similar project completed a couple years ago on Broadway, which parallels East 19th Street in that part of town.  In a nutshell, this project will place traffic calming measures the length of East 19th Street from the city border at Irvine Avenue westward to Fullerton Avenue.  These consist of chokers at the intersections of all cross-streets, which will slow the traffic and, in theory, make it safer.  The project is funded by Federal Safe Routes To School funds.

MOST NEIGHBORS SUPPORTED THE PROJECT - EXCEPT ME
All of the neighbors who spoke supported this project - except me.  I opined, based on my more than 43 years of living in this neighborhood, that slowing traffic on 19th Street - much of which is headed for the terminus of the 55 Freeway at Newport Boulevard - will result in drivers seeking relief on parallel streets - most likely 20th Street and Costa Mesa Street.  My view was singular among those in the room.  Others praised the Broadway project, indicating it is now quieter and safer.  They addressed this project in similar terms, indicating that the traffic currently moves too rapidly through the neighborhood.  This project would certainly slow it down.

MONUMENT SIGNS AND SHARROWS
This project, which includes a monument sign at Fullerton identifying the area as "Eastside Costa Mesa" and a similar, but smaller sign near the intersection of Irvine Avenue, has funding for $855,000.  Discussion included the wisdom of actually designating East 19th Street as a "bikeway", including the application of "sharrows" markers along that route that would, could, should alert drivers of their responsibility to share the FULL lane with bicyclers.

MOVE IT FORWARD
After a 45 minute discussion the committee voted - 11-1 - to recommend moving forward with this project.  Member Cindy Brenneman voted no.

VACATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY AT FULLERTON AVE./19TH STREET
Next up was the discussion of the vacation of right-of-way of a piece of city-owned property at the corner of 19th Street and Fullerton Avenue.   Following a short, fifteen minute, discussion, the committee voted 8-4 to recommend moving forward with the vacation plan.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
The committee also briefly discussed upcoming projects - Merrimac to the Golf Course rehabilitation and the Arlington Bioswale, which is 90% through the design process.

FUTURE DISCUSSIONS?
During the discussion of potential future agenda items the following issues were proposed:

CYCLE-CROSS EVENT?
Jim Erickson suggested they discuss a CycloCross event at one of the parks, or at least consider a skills clinic.  The group seemed to favor a further discussion.

GREEN COAST DAY AT OCC?
Flo Martin suggested a discussion of the Green Coast Day event in April at Orange Coast College, referring to local bicycler Roy Duval.  She also mentioned that he, Duval, has a source for new bicycle racks and would install them free of charge throughout the city.  That will get further discussion.

CLOSE THE LOOP
Staff liaison newly-anointed Public Services Director Raja Sethuraman, suggested they close the loop on some existing issues - the original list of projects and funding for them plus the Bike Master Plan itself.

"POLICIES" VS. "RECOMMENDATIONS"
Chairman Ralph Taboada inquired whether the new City Council will address the "Recommendations" vs. "Policies" issue that was sidetracked by Councilmember Jim Righeimer.

COMMITTEE COMMENTS
During Committee Member Comments several issues were addressed.
Jim Erickson suggested these comments might be restricted to 2 minutes.

Jim Kane had a laundry list of issues, including congratulating Sethuraman for his recent promotion; the recent award bestowed on the City for the Harbor Boulevard Bike Trail; the new bike racks at City Hall and the Senior Center (he suggested lighting the area at the Senior Center for safety); a Walkability webinar that was being conducted soon; he wondered about the Placentia Avenue bike crossing signal project, which seemed to have stalled; he complained about the Harbor Blvd. Bike Trail expansion joints, which apparently give riders a good jolt when crossing them and he asked about spacing of the Tanager Bike Trail posts.

Flo Martin also addressed the Harbor Blvd. Bike Trail, and wondered if the lights are on 24 hours and also addressed the bumps on the trail.  She also wondered about the cost of the new bike racks.

Taboada mentioned a recent trip to Ft. Collins, Colorado and observed many bicyclers out in 18 degree weather.

RAJA COMMENTS
Sethuraman told the group the Placentia Bike Signal project was stalled because of a problem with the contractor, who has been replaced by another via the Bonding company and the project should be completed soon.  He told us the new bike racks cost $500 each. He told us the posts at the Tanager trail would be widened.  He also mentioned that the discussion of the upcoming OC Marathon routes would be on the agenda at the next City Council meeting.  He also mentioned a Shuttle Transportation project with OCTA that would move from the South Coast Plaza area to the Lab/Camp location allowing residents and visitors to move between those two venues via public transportation.  Currently there is a shuttle from South Coast Plaza to Disneyland.

KUDOS, AGAIN...
The meeting adjourned to their next meeting on March 1st at 8:56.  Once again, I was impressed with the way this particular committee works.  They manage to vet issues without rancor, reach well-reasoned conclusions, considering opinions of the other members carefully.  Last night, due to the large turnout of residents to discuss 19th Street issues, Taboada held a light rein on the discussions and actually permitted brief comments by members of the public outside the normal Public Comments segment on each issue.  It made for a very comfortable situation and most viewpoints were heard and considered.  Kudos, once again, to the members of this committee for their diligence and dedication to these important issues.

Bike Committee Tackles 19th Street Projects And More

MEETING WEDNESDAY NIGHT
The Costa Mesa Bikeway and Walkability Committee meets again beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the Costa Mesa Senior Center, 695 W. 19th Street.  The agenda is posted HERE.

A FULL AGENDA
As you can see, they will deal with:

• West 19th Street Bicycle Trail Project
• East 19th Street Neighborhood Traffic Management Project
• Request for Vacation of Right-of-Way at 152 East 19th Street
• Trail Rehabilitation (Merrimac to Golf Course)
• Arlington Bioswale Project

MAKING A REAL CONTRIBUTION
This dedicated, hard-working group led by Chairman Ralph Taboada and Vice Chair Cynthia McDonald, continues to make good progress in making Costa Mesa more bicycle friendly and more walkable.

Bikeway and Walkability Committee Meeting Summary

ANOTHER GOOD MEETING
Last night I attended the Costa Mesa Bikeway & Walkability Committee meeting - my first in many months - and found the Senior Center lobby in full Christmas mode.  I saw a few new faces but the same focused attention to business as I've observed in the past.  Most of the members attended - Ralph Taboarda, Cynthia McDonald, Russell Baldwin, Cindy Brenneman, Leah Ersoylu, Maggie Gallagher, Rick Huffman, Jim Kane, Jim Kerins, Andrea Marr, Flo Martin, John Merrill and Chamber of Commerce Liaison Brent Stoll were in the room,  with only Jim Erickson, Brian Valles and Newport Mesa Unified School District Liaison Dr. Kirk Bauermeister absent.  Council Liaison Katrina Foley attended this meeting, too, and provided some momentum to the process.

 FLO ON MERRIMAC WAY DANGER
During member comments Flo Martin presented a slide show depicting what she described as a dangerous situation on Merrimac Way - the same presentation she made at the recent City Council meeting.  The combination of pending major construction, narrowed roadways and lack of sidewalk space is, as she put it, "An Accident Waiting To Happen" - she used a slide for emphasis.  Member Russell Baldwin affirmed her opinion.

Cindy Brenneman opined that fallen pine needles from the recent wind event are making many of the existing bike paths treacherous.

Jim Kerins, who arrived late,  inquired about the status of the 19th Street Bike Trail project, since it was the subject of discussion at the recent council meeting.

Maggie Gallagher observed that the lights are STILL not working along the new Harbor Blvd. bike path.

Jim Kane also chimed in on the Merrimac Way situation and asked for an update on the 19th Street Bike Trail.  He also wondered about the crossing on Placentia at Fairview Park - work seems to have stopped.  Acting Public Services Director Raja Sethruaman explained that there had been a delay.  Later he said something about the contractor defaulting and the bonding company was now involved and a new contractor will soon finish the project.  Kane also spoke briefly about a Sustainability Seminar and will provide handouts and business cards dealing with bike racks.  He was also concerned about the condition of the pavement on the Harbor Cornerstone Trail.  Foley opined that perhaps the contractor could repair it under a warranty.

RALPH WAS ANGRY TUESDAY
Chairman Ralph Taboada told the group that Copenhagen recently passed a law that 50% of the communters must do so by bicycle.  He then addressed the council meeting discussion of the 19th Street Bike Trail, citing that he left the meeting angry because he was forbidden to address the issue as a commentor because he got his card in late.  He had wanted to set the record straight that their committee had NOT discussed the environmental portion of the planned trail.  Sethruaman had been charged with contacting the relevant agencies to determine whether our current plan is satisfactory before spending any more money on it.  That has not yet happened.

MORE ON THE 19TH STREET TRAIL
Rick Huffman complained that they didn't have enough notice on that item because it was a Consent Calendar item - something that might not be discussed at all.

Sethuraman gave a history of that project, observing it went way, way back - perhaps as far back as 2005.  He said that Federal grants are involved and that Cal Trans, US Fish and Wildlife and other agencies are also involved.  The discussion went on and on and on and it was left that Sethuraman will be addressing the issues with "resource agencies" and report back to the council before proceeding, even though the council approved this part of the project.

PRIORITIZATION OF PROJECTS
They approved the minutes of the prior meeting then went about the lengthy process of trying to prioritize their projects.  Foley played an active role in this process and, in fact, good progress was made toward winnowing down their long list if potential projects with an eye toward obtaining budget funding for the most important.  They defined specific areas where individual projects contribute to a larger plan.  It was an interesting process to watch because this group continues to be tightly focused and collaborative.

GIVING BICYCLERS SPACE
In future meetings members may hear solutions on how to make the public more aware of the need to provide bicyclers 3 feet clearance - state law requires it.  In the meantime, Foley suggested Public Information Officer Tony Dodero should write something for public consumption on the issue that could be "blasted" out to the school district.

Regarding the cost to produce a completed Bike Map for the General Plan, Sethuraman indicated the latest bid they received was $50,000, and that he's going to ask for more bids, since that number seems high.

ARLINGTON DRIVE PROJECT
The committee was advised, in response to a question, that the Arlington Drive Project MUST be completed by June, and that it's well underway.

NO JANUARY MEETING
There will be no meeting in January due to the holiday closure of City Hall and the fact that their meeting would have been scheduled on January 3rd, with insufficient time for any kind of staff preparation.  It is presumed the next meeting will be the first week of February.  The meeting adjourned shortly after 8:30.

STAFF SHORTAGES IN PUBLIC SERVICES
A side note:  it was mentioned again that there are about a dozen vacancies in the staff ranks in the Public Services organization.  This shortage cannot help but create slowdowns throughout the management of projects.  Human Resources is working hard to fill those slots and contractors are being used in the meantime.

FOUR OF US ATTENDED
So, I'm glad I was among the four attendees at this meeting.  I missed watching them work and appreciate the progress they've been making and am looking forward to more good works next year.  Kudos to all.

Good Turnout For CM4RG Town Hall

PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOBER LIVING DRAWS A CROWD
Somewhere around 100 people turned out for the Town Hall sponsored by Costa Mesans For Responsible Government (CM4RG) Thursday evening at the Neighborhood Community Center.

CANDIDATES WERE ALSO PRESENT
In addition to the presenters of information, city council candidates, representatives of certain initiatives and candidates for the Mesa Water District Board and the Costa Mesa Sanitary District Board were also present to answer questions and hand out literature.

 Costa Mesa Sanitary District Board Members 

Art Perry and Jim Ferryman, running for re-election.

OMNIPRESENT BARRY FILMED IT
Barry Friedland of Costa Mesa Brief was on hand to record the event, so look for his work product at his YouTube Channel in the next few days.

REICH TO LEFFLER...
Alex Reich, candidate for the Mesa Water Board, acted as the Master of Ceremonies.  He kicked the meeting off at around 6:45 p.m., then handed it over to CM4RG President Robin Leffler, who led the pledge of alligience and then explained a little bit about the organization.

...TO LEECE
Former councilwoman Wendy Leece then stepped up to provide an update from the Orange County Vector Control Board, of which she was a member during her tour on the City Council.  She explained the need for resident diligence due to the growing problems with West Nile Virus and now the Zika Virus.  No standing water.  Contact Vector Control if you suspect a problem.

COSTA MESA FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCUSSED
Next up was Ralph Taboada, Chairman of the Bikeway and Walkability Committee and member of the Pension Oversight Committee, to talk about the Costa Mesa Fire Department.  He explained that the department used to be one of the premiere departments in Orange County - a destination department.  He explained that the members of the CMFD are active in the community, including teaching CPR and making school presentations.  Members of the CMFD are usually pillars of their communities.  He explained the history - 5 Chiefs in six years - and used slides to enhance his presentation.  These are mostly self-explanatory.

SOBER LIVING HOMES
Then came community activist Teresa Drain to speak about Sober Living issues.  She told us also on hand for questions was Robert Mann of the Sober Living Network.  She gave us some statistics that really made you think.  Speaking of heroin specifically, she told us that there have been 1800 deaths due to overdoses in the past five years and the Center for Disease Control estimates 70 lives a lost daily due to addiction.  There are 300,000 addicts in Orange County.  She told us Costa Mesa has 300 licensed liquor dispensaries.

ADDICTION A DISEASE
She then described Addiction as a disease and Sobriety as addiction in remission.  Among the stats she told us was that there is a 86% failure rate with heroin addicts.  She spoke about the 12-step programs, first evolving from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and now used with Narcanon, too.

DUAL PROBLEM - DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
She spoke of the dual problem of alcohol and drugs and mentioned the Orange County Sober Living Coalition as an organization helping with the problems.  She told us that 80% of criminals have drug and or alcohol addiction issues.  She told us that 95% of those incarcerated for drug issues return to the drugs once released.  She told us that treatment and recovery is the solution, not incarceration, which is why so many petty criminals with drug issues are currently involved in Sober Living Homes.

SPADONI DISCUSSES THE CMPD
Mary Spadoni, life long law enforcement officer - she was the first woman police officer to work in patrol many moons ago - next spoke about the Costa Mesa Police Department.  She spoke about the impact of AB 109 and Prop. 47, and told us to oppose Prop. 57 on the November ballot because it just goes one step further in the wrong direction than Prop. 47.  Because of those laws we have many more criminals on our streets.

STAFF SHORTAGES
She spoke about the decline in staffing of the CMPD - how the current council majority issued over 200 layoff notices to city employees in 2011, several of whom were civilian employees of the CMPD.  She spoke of how that act caused a lawsuit by the Orange County Employees Association, which represents the employees in question, and how the city lost that lawsuit and cost nearly $400,000 in legal fees.

HISTORY OF STAFFING
Spadoni told us a little history of the staffing of the department, and mentioned that currently the authorized staffing level of the CMPD is 136, but that we actually have only 113 on the payroll, 10 of which are out on injuries.  We have only 52 officers available for patrol duty and many of the speciality assignments to which officers aspire - Gangs, Narcotics, K-9 - are no longer available, which hampers recruiting and retention of officers.

ATTRITION REPORT
She mentioned the attrition report prepared by former Chief Tom Gazsi more than two years ago which outlined for CEO Tom Hatch the reasons for the departure of so many officers due to retirement and/or moving on to other venues.  That report was never acknowledged.  Much of that turnover was due to the toxic environment created by the current City Council majority.

PAROLEES LOVE COSTA MESA - NO COPS
Spadoni told us of a meeting in 2014 of representatives of the County Probation Department and State Parole organization in which Costa Mesa representatives at the meeting were told that parolees like to come to Costa Mesa because we're understaffed in the CMPD, so chances of them being picked up for crimes is small.  She described our situation as a perfect storm - fewer cops and greater demand.  She said we're "understaffed and overcrimed".

SHARPNACK TRYING, BUT...
She praised Chief Rob Sharpnack for his energy and enthusiasm trying to get the CMPD back on track, but the process is taking a long time - despite what Mayor Mensinger told us earlier this year.  She cited the influx of sober living homes as part of our problem keeping crime down - it's up dramatically.  She said we're not "Costa Mayberry" anymore.  She told us that Costa Mesa has 3% of the county population but 27% of the sober living homes.  She said 63% of our residences are rentals.  She cited the unrealistic positions taken by candidates Mensinger, Mansoor and Ramos on public safety issues.

Q & A
Next came Questions and Answers presented by the audience via note cards.  The panel included retired CMPD Lieutenant Clay Epperson - a long-time Costa Mesa resident; Former man-of-many-hats, retired Interim Chief Fred Sequin and Robert Mann of Clear Path Recovery to answer Sober Living Questions.

CMPD 5 YEARS BEHIND
In response to a question about police staffing, Epperson told the audience that we're 5 years behind.  That we have a hard time recruiting and retaining officers because of the atmosphere within City Management towards the CMPD.

CMFD WORK SCHEDULE
Seguin was asked about work hours.  He explained that the CMFD works a 56 hour work week and that it's not at all unusual for firefighters to work hundreds and even thousands of overtime hours because of the depleted staffing.

MANN DODGED THE QUESTIONS
Mann, didn't really answer many of the questions posed to him.  Most of the time he waltzed around and did a promotion for his industry and his business specifically.  He feigned ignorance of statistics when asked.  He was not the only Sober Living operator in the room.  He was asked, for example, why there was no mechanism to return failed "clients" to their homes instead of just turning them out onto our streets.  He didn't really answer that, except to say his organization sometimes turns those failures over to other organizations.  Kind of an incestuous situation.

CRIME FROM DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE
Other questions were asked about  rising crime.  Epperson told us much was due to drug and alcohol users.

JULY 4TH ENFORCEMENT?
Seguin was asked about July 4th fireworks and how it is enforced.  He said with current staffing levels it's hard to catch perpetrators in the act.  One angry audience member demanded to know how many arrests were made this year - he had no answer.  He did say it's hard to catch those shooting off illegal fireworks because they are masked by legal fireworks.

IMPACT OF OVERTIME
He was also asked about the impact of overtime on the firefighters.  He responded that it was hard on the firefighters AND on their families due to the unanticipated demands for overtime.  He said it's not unusual for a firefighter to work several consecutive shifts without time off.

FIND BARRY'S RECORDING
The meeting ended just after 8:30.  Find the Costa Mesa Brief recording, HERE.  It will be worth your time.

THANKS TO CM4RG
Thanks to the folks at CM4RG and all the volunteers who put this program together.  I think most who attended thought it was time well-spent.  Interestingly, despite some grumbling on certain social media sites, I saw no members of the opposition in the audience.   That wasn't all bad.  One particularly mouthy candidate for a Sanitary District Board seat kept yapping about attending all week, then did a no-show.  No loss.