A Fairview Park Perspective

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER

Here' something to consider as you plan to attend the City Council and the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee meetings next week. See my previous entry for the details of the meeting times, dates and locations.   Sorry, but my primitive tools prohibit me from making it  a "hot link", so you'll have to copy and paste it in your browser window. 

EXCELLENT SUMMARY

This is an excellent summary of Fairview Park history and the current state of affairs in that has been called "The Jewel Of Costa Mesa".  Of course, it does have a good dose of opinion mixed in, too.

http://westsidecm.blogspot.com/2013/09/costa-mesa-riding-w-righeimers-7th.html

Fairview Park Advisory Committee Meeting

JUST A REMINDER
Next Wednesday, October 2, 2013,  the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee meets  again in the Victoria Room at the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

INTERESTING PRESENTATIONS
The agenda looks good. There will be three presentations - one from Gordon Bowley, President of Costa Mesa United; one from Hank Castignetti of the Orange County Model Engineers and a presentation on Youth Sports Data coordinated by member Brett Eckles. 

SOUTHEAST QUADRANT AND ARCHEOLOGIST
Later they will review the Southeast Quadrant of the park and hear a presentation by archeologist Patrick O. Maxon. This should be especially interesting since we have recently heard that Native American artifacts may be in jeopardy in parts of the park

PUBLIC COMMENTS
If you have something to say to the committee there will be time available for Public Comments. 

SHOULD BE AN INTERESTING MEETING
I won't be at the meeting,  but you should consider attending.  With so much controversy swirling around the park, this meeting may produce some memorable moments.   Have fun. 

Some Casual Reading For You

AN EXCELLENT READ ;-)
In case you've  run out of important things to do, the Daily Pilot has an interesting commentary online tonight. You can read it at http://www.dailypilot.com/opinion/tn-dpt-me-0927-commentary-20130924,0,873771.story.  

READ PERRY, TOO
In fact, just go to the opinion page and read Perry Valantine's excellent letter in the Mailbag section, too.  And, if you really have to, there's also a commentary on Fairview Park  by a grumpy old fella from Mesa North. 

A BETTER CHOICE
Probably the best choice would be the excellent article by Jill Cowan and Lauren Williams on problem motels. It' the second in their series.  You can find it on the front page. 

ONLY WORDS
You'll have to forgive me, but I'm using primitive tools to post this entry.  No pretty pictures, just barebones verbiage. 

What's Ahead In Costa Mesa

MEETINGS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS
Here's a rundown on meetings that have been scheduled in Costa Mesa for the next couple of weeks.  In some cases there have been no agendas published yet.  Check the city website as the dates draw near for more info.

PLANNING COMMISSION - LIGHT SCHEDULE
This week is a slow one.  Monday, today, the Planning Commission meets at 6:00 in council chambers and has only one item on the agenda.  You can read the "full" agenda HERE.  The item in question is Peter Zehnder's proposal to develop 8 units on a couple lots in the 2500 block of Santa Ana Avenue, HERE.  This has been bouncing around for months and it still contains many, many variances and deviations to the municipal code.  I still wonder why two meetings a month are necessary...

UNUSUAL MORNING CLOSED SESSION
Next up, on Tuesday, September 24th,  is a Special Closed Session of the Costa Mesa City Council to discuss labor negotiations with the CMCEA.  This one is VERY unusual, since it begins at 9:30 a.m. and will immediately adjourn to Conference Room 5A.  You can read the agenda HERE.  It's unclear whether they will "report out" any results of this meeting.  One thing is certain, the discussions in that room way up on the fifth floor should be very interesting.

CHARTER COMMITTEE AGAIN
On Wednesday, September 25th, in the Emergency Operations Center, the Costa Mesa Charter Committee meets once again to continue hammering out the framework of a charter.  The progress has been slow.  You can read the agenda HERE.

THIN AGENDA FOR THE PARKS & REC. COMMISSION

On Thursday, September 26th, the Parks and Recreation Commission meets in council chambers at 6:00 p.m. to discuss a couple of tree removal requests and Adult Contract Instructional Class Proposals.  You can read the whole agenda for this short meeting HERE and the staff report for the Adult Contract Instructional Class Proposals HERE.

MEET THE MAYOR - SOMEWHERE
Also on Thursday, somewhere in the city, there is scheduled another "Meet The Mayor" event.  We suspect he will be more careful this time when he selects the venue, since he encountered a boisterous crowd at the last one.

ANOTHER COUNCIL MEETING
On Tuesday, October 1st at 6:00 p.m. in council chambers the City Council will holds its regularly scheduled meeting.  No agenda is yet available.

FAIRVIEW PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE*correction!   The meeting will be held at the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave.  
On Wednesday, October 2nd the Fairview Park Advisory Committee will meet again, this time scheduled for Conference Room 1A at 6:00 p.m..  No agenda is available, but I won't be surprised if there are significant discussions about the controversy swirling around the decomposed granite path incursion on vernal pools, the model train contract extension and the possible involvement of Native American groups to protect artifacts in the park.

MESA VERDE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE MEETING
Also Wednesday, October 2nd, there will be a General Plan Update Meeting with the Mesa Verde Community Association from 6:30 - 8:30 at the Mesa Verde Methodist Church, 1701 Baker Street, Costa Mesa.

PUBLIC SAFETY RECOGNITION BARBECUE
On Thursday, October 3rd, there will be a Public Safety Recognition Barbecue at the Orange County Fair and Event Center beginning at 11:00.

FIRST FRIDAY ROAD SHOW
Friday, October 4th, here will be the next edition of the very popular and growing First Friday Road Show in the City Hall parking lot beginning at 5:30 p.m.

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
The following week, beginning Monday, October 7th, is Fire Prevention Week.

COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AND HOUSING AUTHORITY MEETING
On Tuesday, October 8th, there will be a City Council Study Session at 4:30 followed by a Housing Authority Meeting at 6:30.

CHARTER COMMITTEE MEETS AGAIN
On Wednesday, October 9th, there will be another meeting of the Charter Committee at 6:00 in the Emergency Operations Center.

TAKING A BREATHER
OK, is that enough for you for a little while?  I hope so.  I gave you all that info because I'm taking a breather and will be turning the Cauldron down to a low simmer for a little while.  Comments will still be posted - if you're registered, that is - but it may take a little longer.

READ THE PILOT AND REGISTER
In the meantime, follow the action around town in the Daily Pilot and the Orange County Register - both publications are doing a good job of keeping up with our local events.