The fields that the Los Angeles Chargers football team will use for Summer 2017 Training Camp are undergoing final preparation before lush sod can be laid at the site.

Phase I construction included extensive grounds preparation as a means to support the highest quality sports turf available.  The Chargers will be releasing an official Summer Training Camp schedule soon.

The camp, which will be free and open to the public for viewing is scheduled to begin in late July.

Recently more than 20 active gardeners from the Del Mar and Hamilton Community Gardens volunteered their time to clean-up the community garden common areas.

These regularly scheduled opportunities allow the gardeners to share tips and form relationships while sharing their passion for gardening

The Public Services Department recently finished grinding of old deteriorated pavement and installation of new pavement on Bear Street between I-405 and the City limits north of Sunflower Avenue.

Prior to the paving operations, various concrete improvements including sidewalk, curb/gutter and wheel chair ramps were reconstructed. Traffic signal loops, final striping and adjustment of utilities will be completed over the next few days. The Bear Street project was approve by the City Council on Jan. 17, 2017, as part of a larger project that includes Bristol Street rehabilitation and median improvement project.

This project is funded by federal grant and Measure M2 revenues.

The Costa Mesa Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety request  bicycle riders and motorists alike to be cautious during May’s National Bicycle Safety Month, and every other month during the year.

For riders and drivers, “Roll Model” means actively decreasing the risks of traffic crashes, preventable injuries and deaths. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  reports that 818 bicyclists died and over 45,000 were injured in crashes in 2015, with deaths rising over 12% from 2014’s numbers.

Over the 10-year period from 2006 to 2015, the average age of cyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes increased from 41 to 45. Alcohol involvement – either for the motor vehicle operator or for the cyclist – was reported in 37% of all fatal cyclist crashes in 2015.

Costa Mesa police officers conducted a specialized Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Tuesday May 23, 2017, in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra officers patrolled areas frequented by bicyclists and where bicycle crashes occur.

California has the Move Over Law to share the road requiring motorist to pass bike riders with at least a 3-foot cushion. Support community efforts in your community, be involved in bicycle safety, whether while riding a bike, or driving a vehicle. Officers will focus on violations observed by both motorist and cyclist.

CMPD reminds everyone – Be A Roll Model:

• Ride and Drive Focused – Never ride or drive distracted.
• Ride and Drive Prepared – Always expect the unexpected.
• Safety First – Always wear a bicycle helmet when on a bicycle and a seat belt when in a vehicle.
• Know the Rules of the Road – A bicyclist is considered a vehicle on the road with all the rights and responsibilities of motorized traffic.
• Share the Road – Both motorist and bicyclist should look out for each other and show mutual respect.

For more information on Bicycle Safety Month click here.

Mayor Katrina Foley and City Manager Tom Hatch recently attended a meeting at the OC Fair & Event Center to learn about some of the changes coming to this year’s event as well as details about the City Day at the fair.

The 2017 OC Fair runs July 14 – August 13 (Wednesday-Sunday).

City Day for Costa Mesa will take place on Friday July 21. The event, which will begin atwill include a raising of the Costa Mesa city flag as well as a performance of the National Anthem.

The theme of the 127th Fair is “Farm Fresh Fun,” and is a tribute to agriculture in the county. There are several new offerings including new weekend hours. Hours of operation are Wednesday-Friday: Noon – Midnight and Saturday-Sunday: 11 a.m. – Midnight. The Fair is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Pricing has also changed. Click here for more information on pricing and admission.

There will also be a new ride at the fair called “Endeavor,” as well as full-contact jousting, an olive oil competition, a mini-van demolition derby and an e-sports tournament.

Also new at the fair this year is the Heroes Hall veterans museum and the Pacific Symphony will have its summer concert series at the Pacific Amphitheatre.

The City continues to provide important economic information to the community and to potential investors in Costa Mesa.

The Community Economic Profile provides up to date information in a variety of categories, emphasizing the City’s strategic location, strong socio-economic indicators, temperate climate, and it also provides valuable contact information for important services.

A second handout, the Costa Mesa Advantage brochure, conveys the City’s vision for Costa Mesa. These handouts help to persuade businesses to establish here, attract investment to Costa Mesa and equip residents with reliable information about their community.

At its March 21, 2017 meeting, the City Council awarded a contract for removal and replacement of Angel’s Playground surface at Tewinkle Park.

This project is now nearing completion. Final color overlay of the playground surface was completed on Thursday May 11 and will need to cure for a period of five days. The area was cleaned on Tuesday May 16 and the fence will be removed today, Wednesday May 17.

Public Services staff will be installing a new bench, swings and other hardware after the fence is removed. The playground will be open for children by the afternoon of Wednesday May 17.

The Public Services Department is implementing traffic-calming improvements along East 19th Street between Church Street and Irvine Avenue.  The improvements include concrete curb bulb-outs, street paving and landscape/Irrigation work.

The concrete curbs on the north side of East 19th Street were completed, and the installation of irrigation sleeves at most of the intersections have been nearly completed.  The concrete sidewalks will be constructed along the north side starting Monday, May 15.  The next phase of work will include the construction of the curb bulb-outs on the south side of East 19th Street and paving. This work will start on Wednesday May 17.

In order to do this next phase of work expeditiously and safely, all eastbound traffic will be diverted via detours at Fullerton Avenue. The westbound traffic will be allowed on East 19th Street throughout this period. Traffic flow in both directions will resume after this two-week period.  Notice of this closure will be provided to all residents along East 19th Street.

The Public Services Department recently completed a two-inch grind of the roadway pavement on Adams Avenue from Fairview Road to Peterson Place and overlaid a new rubberized asphalt pavement.

Grinding and the construction of 3,400 tons of asphalt rubberized hot mix to create a new two-inch surface layer was completed late April.

Work was coordinated with the Orange Coast College Programs, Swap Meet, local temporary Fire Station, adjacent residents’ and businesses. Prior to this work, CJ Concrete Construction was contracted to remove and replace damaged curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and wheelchair ramps along this segment of Adams Ave.

Final construction activities including utility adjustments, lane and traffic legend striping, and traffic loop detectors were completed last week.

The construction to fields 3 and 4 at Jack Hammett Sports Complex began this week and progress has been steady.  The upgrades include work to bring the fields up-to NFL quality standard so that the Los Angeles Chargers Football Organization can use the space to host the team’s Summer Training Camp, which will also feature practices that are open to the general public.

The enhanced field space will also benefit the many youth sports leagues that practice and play games at the complex.

Construction began in early April to remove and replace damaged concrete sidewalks, curb, gutter, and wheel chair ramps on both the north and south sides of Adams Avenue between Fairview Road and Peterson Place.

Following completion of this work, street paving operations will be initiated, which includes grinding the existing roadway pavement and replacing with new, rubberized hot mix asphalt, and restriping of lane lines and legends.

Work will be conducted during daytime off-peak hours. A minimum of one-lane of traffic shall be maintained in each direction at all times.

All work is tentatively scheduled to be completed by mid-May.

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson recently announced that 275 middle schools and high schools are being honored under the Gold Ribbon Schools Awards Program.

Schools applied for the award based on a model program or practice their school has adopted that includes standards-based activities, projects, strategies, and practices that can be replicated by other local educational agencies. The award acknowledged elementary schools last year.

“These terrific schools are leading the way in embracing our new rigorous academic standards and showing others how to help students succeed on their way to 21st century careers and college,” Torlakson said. “I look forward to traveling the state to honor these schools and to help share the programs, methods, and techniques that are working.”

The Gold Ribbon Awards recognize California schools that have made gains in implementing the academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education. These include the California Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, California English Language Development Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.

The 2017 Gold Ribbon Schools as well as the 2017 Exemplary Program recipients, Title I Academic Achieving Award Schools, 2017 Green Ribbon Schools, 2017 Civic Learning Award Schools, and the National Blue Ribbon Schools from 2016, will be honored in May during regional ceremonies held in Costa Mesa, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Visalia, and Sacramento.

Click here to read the California Department of Education full News Release.