Fairview Park Committee To Tackle Fields

WEDNESDAY, FROM 6-8 P.M.
The Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee will meet for the first time in the new year on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 in the Victoria Room at the Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Avenue, Costa Mesa (Lions Park) from 6-8 p.m.  You can read the agenda HERE.

COULD BE LIVELY...
This meeting could be a real doozy because the group will finally tackle (note the clever game reference) the issue of possibly using segments of the final area under consideration - the Southeast Quadrant - for playing fields.  Such uses in the other three quadrants had been rejected by the committee in previous meetings and this discussion had been shoved out until this meeting.  In past meetings attendees who support the retention of Fairview Park as a passive venue have been in the majority.  I won't be surprised if many sports groups present their views on this issue on Wednesday evening.

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
The issues on the agenda to be discussed will provide for public comment on each and a discussion by the committee before a vote is taken to either forward the item on to the Parks and Recreation Commission for further consideration, or not.  The six potential uses on the agenda are:
 1 - Baseball/Softball Facilities
 2 - Soccer/Football Fields
 3 - Multi-use Athletic Fields
 4 - OCME Track Expansions/Improvements
 5 - Basketball/Handball Courts
 6 - Roller Hockey Surface

EAST FAIRVIEW CHANNEL TRAIL
Also scheduled is a staff presentation and discussion of the East Fairview Channel Trail proposed by Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bob Graham at a recent meeting.

OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE
This meeting is open to the public and, in addition to the opportunity to comment on each of the above items, you may also address the committee in Public Comments on issues related to Fairview Park.

 
RIGHEIMER REPLACES MENSINGER
I did note that Mayor Steve Mensinger has been replaced by another athletic supporter, new Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer, as the primary council representative on the committee.  Mensinger's role in the past had been mostly as a seat-warmer, seldom commenting on any issues.  I wonder if Righeimer will attempt to hijack this meeting if he attends?  That's his style, so I won't be surprised.  Or, he may just blow the meeting off and allow Sandra Genis, the alternate, to attend in his place.  It's likely that she'll be there regardless.

FUTURE OF THIS GROUP?
It's unclear what the future of this committee will be.  They have met for well over a year.  They've just about wrapped up their considerations for the park and some kind of a report to the Parks and Recreation Commission should be forthcoming in the near future.  Perhaps we'll get a sense for that timing on Wednesday.  See you there.

OH, YES.... HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY!