Due to the high impact weather in the area, City hall counters will be closed Monday, Aug. 21. These counters include:

• Planning
• Building
• Code
• Business Licenses
• Engineering
• Transportation

The counters will be open again on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

Please be prepared for heavy rain and report any flooding, fallen trees and other storm-related issues to 714-754-5252.

Be advised that City team and CMFR remain well-prepared and are continuously monitoring the situation. Below are key pieces of information and links to websites for real-time updates:

• Residents should anticipate periods of heavy rain, Sunday afternoon/evening into Monday.
• Residents should prepare for high winds, and secure outdoor items, watch for the potential of downed power lines, uprooted trees and roof issues (this is specific to mobile homes, sheds and out buildings).
• Modeling shows wind gusts 20-50 mph sustained once the storm hits
• Rain expectations have increased from 2 to 4 inches
• Sand bag availability at City Hall beginning Aug. 18, 2023 in the south east area of City Hall parking lot.
• For the non-emergency information line, please call 714-754-5252
• For up-to-date power outages, please visit the SCE website at https://www.sce.com/
• To remain up-to-date and for preparedness recommendations, please visit Ready OC at: https://www.readyoc.com/
• Please signup for alert messages through Alert OC at: https://member.everbridge.net/453003085613900/login

Please visit the following link for current up- to-date weather info. You can customize to your zip code: https://www.weather.gov/sgx

Finance Director Carol Molina is pleased to announce that Robert Moya, a 21-year veteran of municipal government, has been appointed as the city’s new Assistant Finance Director effective Monday Aug. 1.

Moya most recently was the Budget Manager for the City of Orange, where he held a variety of positions, including Budget Officer, Senior Administrative Analyst, Project Development Coordinator and Housing Specialist.

In his new role, Moya will assist the direction, planning and evaluation of the Finance Department, and will have oversight of the city’s budget and overall financial management functions. Some of his many duties will include supervision of staff as well as ensuring compliance and timely submission of financial reports, maintaining the City’s ledger, facilitating the preparation and review of the city’s budget, assisting the Finance Director on high priority projects, such as the Financial ERP system, and serving as Acting Finance Director when designated.

“I am humbled, excited, and grateful for the opportunity to join a City as dynamic and diverse as Costa Mesa,” Moya said. “It is truly a remarkable community, and I am looking forward to embrace the challenges and opportunities to enhance the quality of life of our residents and business community.”

Moya’s experience spans over two decades in Community Development, Economic Development, Finance, and Public Works departments. His experience in prior roles coupled with his positive attitude and strong work ethic makes Moya a solid addition to the city’s team.

Moya holds a juris doctor degree from Trinity Law School, a master’s degree in Public Administration from Cal State Long Beach and a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona.

The Costa Mesa Police Department will be conducting a driving under the influence (DUI) and driver’s license checkpoint on the day after St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 18, 2022, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. within the city limits.

Checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by distributing educational information and by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“If you plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, have a game plan to get home safe and do not drink and drive,” Sgt. Dan Miles said. “These checkpoints, funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, are essential to keeping the community safe. On Friday, we will be looking for impaired drivers because driving under the influence is dangerous and puts others on the road at risk.”

“Our preference is to have zero DUI drivers on our roadways and that those who decide to drink do so responsibility by always having a designated driver,” said Chief Ron Lawrence. “DUI checkpoints are a way to educate our community and our hope is people learn to plan ahead with alternative transportation when out drinking.”

CMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

CMPD offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that does not involve a DUI:

• Always use a designated sober driver to get home, which could be a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, a cab or public transportation.
• If you see someone who is impaired try to drive, take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
• Call 911 to report drunk drivers.
• If you are hosting a party, offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor those who are drinking and how they are getting home.
• If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.

The Costa Mesa City Council is currently seeking interested individuals from the community to serve an at-large seat on the Planning Commission. All applicants must be a registered voter in Costa Mesa.

Planning Commission – The Commission meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month and advises on planning, land use, and development matters.

The Commission has the authority to review: 1) regulations pertaining to the future growth, development, and beautification of the City with respect to public and private projects; 2) consistency with municipal plans to ensure that future growth and development do not impede upon sanitation, public utilities, and transportation facilities; 3) the location and design of proposed buildings, structures or works; and, 4) the design and improvement of proposed subdivisions of land.

The Commission is the final decision-making body for certain discretionary land-use approvals such as design review, conditional use permits, and land divisions. The Commission also functions as an advisory body to the City Council for Zoning and General Plan amendments. The appointed term will expire February 2021. Applicants must be a registered voter in Costa Mesa.

Application Process – Residents who are interested in getting involved in local government are encouraged to complete a Commission Application Form from the City Clerk’s Office or from the City’s website (http://www.costamesaca.gov/apply).

The completed application may be submitted online; mailed to Costa Mesa City Clerk at Post Office Box 1200, Costa Mesa, California, 92628-1200; faxed to (714) 754-4942; emailed to cityclerk@costamesaca.gov; or hand-delivered to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. The deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. The appointment is tentatively scheduled for the Nov. 19, 2019 City Council meeting.

The Burrowing Owl and the Snowy Egret, an interesting juxtaposition of FVP wildlife!

Official State Grass of CA, Purple Needle Grass (Nassella pulchra) returns to FVP.

Native grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the US.

Website 

Nesting white-tailed kites observed from bluffs of Fairview Park, over-looking Talbert Regional Park, December 2017.  – Courtesy of Lam-Son Vinh

Also The American Bittern in grasslands of Fairview Park, January 2018. – Courtesy of Lam-Son Vinh.

After just a little bit of rain on the week of December 18th, the common Western Toad – Anaxyrus boreas, hit the trails at Fairview Park.

THEIR BACK! Sightings of Burrowing Owls have been on the rise at Fairview Park this season. They are not nesting, just visiting the park. Did you know that Fairview Park is said to have the greatest bird diversity of all parks in Orange County? Come out to view and photograph, you won’t be disappointed!

Between exercise, computer and arts and crafts classes such as the Monday afternoon quilting, the Costa Mesa Senior Center is busier than ever.

It’s likely that on any day of the week visitors to the senior center can find a presentation or seminar occurring, health screenings taking place or a class in progress.

Quilting is one of those classes.

On Mondays, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., you will find women like Dolores Kaiser, Joanie Hunt, Mina Angorani and Marti Reiter, just to name a few, are cutting, talking, laying out patterns and sewing masterpieces together.

With a combined 63 years of experience and donated materials, these women spend their afternoon quilting and talking about life, patterns and swapping opinions on their work. On this particular day, there was talk about Oktoberfest, family and surviving cancer.

But quilting together is not just about a free class on Monday afternoon, it’s also an opportunity for sociability, comradery and the art and craft of quilting and friendship.

When asked if their quilting class is more than just a time to quilt, a smiling Dolores responds, “Oh yes, we are friends and like to talk about things. We have been quilting together for some time.”

To date, these women have donated their works of art to Long Beach Veterans Hospital, Santa Ana Life Center, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and anticipate donating baby quilts to Camp Pendleton this summer.

The time, effort, love and discussions that go into these quilts not only give these women something to do every Monday afternoon, but it’s a way for them to get together and more importantly, give back.

For questions on the quilting class or to find out how you can donate material contact the Costa Mesa Senior Center at (949) 645-2356.

When Deputy Fire Chief Fred Seguin graduated in 1978 from Canyon High, the fire service wasn’t exactly a burning desire for him as a career choice.

Instead, he was moving up the ranks of the grocery business, where he first started as a box boy.

“I was working 40 to 50 hours a week,” he said. “I was young, living at home and the money was good.”

But while he was there, he attended Santa Ana College and took an introduction to fire science course that sparked a lifelong career move that after 30 years is drawing to a close as he plans to retire from the Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue Department on Oct. 14.

“It seems like a long time but it also seems like yesterday when I was sleeping outside of agencies to apply for one job,” said Seguin, who landed his post in Costa Mesa in 1985.

Firefighters are used to moving up the ladders quickly, and Seguin did just that, promoting to fire engineer in 1989 and fire captain in 1997. He became battalion chief in 2011 and ran the department for a short time in between fire chiefs until Chief Dan Stefano came aboard in October of 2013.

“It’s been a memorable career,” Seguin said. “When I wrote my retirement letter it was tough. I am walking away from a career that is so rewarding but so difficult to explain to people. To walk away from something you cherish so much is hard.”

So why do it?

Seguin said to stay on the job and not allow someone else the opportunity to put in 30 years into a career that is so rewarding would be selfish.

“I am happy, but I am not selfish,” he said.

While on the job he’s met movie stars and congressmen, helped with security for President Obama’s visit to fairgrounds, and one of his best memories was meeting Dodger announcer Vin Scully.

He’s especially proud that his fellow firefighters appreciate his work.

“Being selected by my peers to be firefighter of the year not once but twice, that is amazing,” he said.

During Seguin’s career, the department grew from four stations to six over a 30-year span.

The big thing, Seguin said, is the fire service in general has changed. Instead of having two small paramedic units citywide, there are paramedic units at five of the city’s six stations.

And while fires are sporadic and not as large a focus as the past, they still happen and the department now must combat fires from a different perspective.

“Firefighting has truly evolved into an art, it’s a specialty,” he said.

For proof, he pointed to photo on his wall of an old, simple-looking firetruck with very few amenities.

“Fires were that easy back then,” he said. “Now our rigs are so big because we carry so much on them.”

Three Costa Mesa police officers were center stage on Wednesday as the department and community welcomed newly promoted Capt. Bryan Glass, Lt. Joyce LaPointe and Sgt. Dan Miles in a moving and upbeat swearing-in ceremony at the City Council Chambers.

“We have three excellent leaders here with us today, and I am honored to have them here with us,” said Police Chief Rob Sharpnack, who thanked the officers’ families for their support. “This experience galvanizes the team and we stand together to support a common cause. I encourage you all to stay hungry and committed to that cause.”

Glass, a 20-year veteran, splits the captain duties with Capt. Mark Manley. He will be charged with overseeing the Support Services Division, which consists of Investigative Services Bureau, the Special Investigation Unit, Gangs, Crime Scene Investigation, Records and Evidence bureau, Telecommunications, emergency management, jail operations and SWAT.

“I’m very fortunate to be given the opportunity and privilege to serve the department, the city and the community in this new position and over the last 20 years, he said. “I’ve had a blessed career.”

Capt. Glass, who has been acting captain since Chief Sharpnack was promoted, said he is very heartened at the direction the department is going.

“Today reminds me of when I first got hired because of all the new officers coming into the organization,” he said.  We have a steady flow of sworn and professional staff coming into the department brining in new life and energy and opportunity. It’s a good sign for the department.”

Cpt. Glass was born and raised in northern California. He spent five years serving in the U.S. Marine Corp before being hired by Costa Mesa Police Department in October of 1995. He then graduated from the Orange County Sheriff Academy in 1996 and began work as a police officer in March of that year.

As an officer, Cpt. Glass has had the opportunity to work a variety of assignments throughout the department. In November 2005, Cpt. Glass promoted to the rank of sergeant and was assigned to Patrol Services until being selected as the Chief’s Adjutant and Department Press Information Officer. In January 2010, Cpt. Glass promoted to the rank of lieutenant and was assigned as the Field Operations Administration Lieutenant.

Cpt. Glass has a Bachelors of Art in Social Science from Chapman University, a Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration and a Master of Public Administration through California State University Long Beach. He is also a POST Command College graduate of Class #53.

LaPointe, who is the department’s first female lieutenant, worked in patrol, as a field training, bike patrol, traffic and tactical flight officer and as a defensive tactics instructor. In 2006, she earned her private helicopter license.

As a sergeant, she managed patrol teams, the Field Officers Training Program, jail operations, emergency management, and Force Tactics training. She is also is the recipient of the Mothers against Drunk Drivers Century Award and a Life Saving Merit award.  She was born in Mt. View, California and graduated from Southbay Christian High School in 1986. She attended Vanguard University on an athletic scholarship for basketball and softball and she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in kinesiology.

Sgt. Miles has spent almost 17 years as a Costa Mesa police officer. After being hired by the Costa Mesa Police Department, he attended the Goldenwest Police Academy He worked three years in patrol, seven years as a motor officer, and seven years in the Special Investigations Unit. During those assignments, Sgt. Miles worked on the Major Accident Investigation Team, did five tours on the DUI Enforcement team and was a field training officer.

He also spent time as an undercover officer and for two years was assigned to a DEA Task Force, where he handled over $60 million in seized US Currency.

He grew up in Covina, California, where his father, Dave Miles, was a police officer, with the Covina Police Department. Dan graduated from Walnut High School in 1992. He attended both University of Iowa and UC Santa Barbara, the later where he was captain of the swim team until he was injured. He later transferred to Mt. San Antonio College, where he played water polo and obtained an associate’s degree. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.