After months of collaboration with residents, businesses, community organizations, stakeholders, and City staff, we’re excited to announce that the Draft Costa Mesa Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) is now available for public review.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in workshops, surveys, community events, and meetings throughout the planning process.

Your ideas, feedback, and passion have helped shape Costa Mesa’s first comprehensive Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.Review the Draft CAAP here: www.costamesaca.gov/CAAP.

Public Review Period:

Now through Aug. 4, 2026

We encourage everyone to read the draft and share your thoughts. Your feedback will help refine the plan before it is considered for adoption.

As a reminder, the draft Safety Element and Environmental Justice policies are still out for public review. Those drafts can be reviewed here: www.costamesaca.gov/sustainability.

Please submit comments on any or all drafts (CAAP, Safety Element and Environmental Justice Policies) to: sustainability@costamesaca.gov.

The public is also invited to join us at upcoming meetings where we will discuss the CAAP, Safety Element Update, and the Environmental Justice Policies Update.  

Meeting Dates:

Planning Commission Study Session

July 27, 2026

Planning Commission Public Hearing

August 10, 2026

Together, we’re building a more sustainable, resilient, and climate-ready Costa Mesa. We look forward to hearing your comments and continuing this important community conversation. 

Assistant City Manager Alma Reyes presented the City Manager Leadership Award for the month of July to Finance Department Payroll Coordinator Lindsey King.

“Lindsey always goes above and beyond and is ready to assist coworkers, share her knowledge, and tackle even the most challenging payroll issues with patience and professionalism,” Reyes said. “Her positive attitude, reliability, and calm demeanor have earned the trust and respect of her colleagues, making her a valued resource within the Finance Department and a trusted partner to departments throughout the city. I’m thrilled to honor her with this award.”

She joined the City of Costa Mesa in May 2021, bringing seven years of municipal payroll experience from the City of Fullerton.

From the moment she joined the Payroll Division, she demonstrated an exceptional ability to learn and adapt, quickly mastering the City’s payroll processes, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), payroll policies, and long-standing practices.

Her strong work ethic, commitment to excellence, and dedication to serving others quickly established her as an indispensable member of the Finance Department.

King plays a critical role in ensuring the City’s bi-weekly payroll is processed accurately, on time, and in compliance with City policies and applicable MOUs.

She is responsible for every aspect of the payroll process, including auditing personnel action forms, reviewing and correcting employee timecards, processing bi-weekly payroll and so much more. She also prepares payroll data and finance reports that individual departments rely on for billing, budgeting, and financial analysis.

In addition to her daily responsibilities, she is an active contributor to the City’s HR and Payroll system implementation, where her payroll expertise has been instrumental in helping shape a successful transition to the new system.

Payroll is one of the Finance Department’s critical functions, and she approaches every payroll cycle with professionalism, precision, and an unwavering commitment to accuracy.

She consistently meets demanding deadlines while skillfully managing last-minute payroll changes without compromising quality or service.

Whether responding to CalPERS inquiries, assisting employees with payroll questions, supporting electronic timesheet issues, or researching complex payroll matters, she provides exceptional customer service and dependable support to employees throughout the organization.

King is a graduate of Katella High School in Anaheim.

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) this week confirmed mosquito samples infected with West Nile Virus (WNV) in the cities of Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove and Westminster.

Orange County now has eight cities with WNV-positive mosquitoes, with OCMVCD reporting last week mosquito samples infected with WNV in the cities of Buena Park, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana and Seal Beach.

Inspectors will be out in the areas to check known sources of mosquito breeding and to try to identify any unknown sources. If we have continued positive mosquito samples, adult mosquito control may be conducted in the future.

At this time, OC Vector advises residents to take action and follow these tips:

• Wear repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants while outside at dawn and dusk
• Dump and drain containers holding standing water at least once a week
• Clean and scrub bird baths and pet water bowls
• Close all unscreened doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home or space
• Repair broken or damaged screens

More information about mosquito prevention is available here.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Tony Dodero
(714) 754-5288
tony.dodero@costamesaca.gov 

Fireworks season is here and we want to remind everyone that in Costa Mesa selling illegal fireworks is a felony, and possession/use of illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine and/or jail time.

Please be a good neighbor and don’t set off illegal fireworks. If it can leave the ground and explodes in the air, it’s illegal.

The Costa Mesa Municipal Code authorizes the sale of safe and sane fireworks:
June 30 – July 3 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
July 4 from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

The Municipal Code authorizes the discharge of safe and sane fireworks:
July 2 -July 4 between the hours of 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. only.

The Costa Mesa Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit and Community Policing Unit is already focused on taking illegal fireworks off the streets. Two recent investigations resulted in the seizure of approximately 710 pounds of illegal fireworks and two arrests.

Loud and unsafe illegal fireworks continue to be a frequent complaint from our community this time of year.

Let’s celebrate Independence Day with the right fireworks, labeled Safe and Sane, that will be sold in stands around the city starting June 30.

To report illegal fireworks, call the Police Department’s non-emergency line 714-754-5252

Restoration work at TeWinkle Park upper lake is at the final stage.

The lake liner has been installed with the final phase underway as the upper lake has been refilled along with the transfer of aquatic wildlife from the lower lake back to the upper lake.

The next phase will involve a similar rehabilitation of the lower lake.

The Public Works Department appreciates the public’s continued support throughout this restoration project of TeWinkle Park lakes

Assistant City Manager Alma Reyes presented the City Manager Leadership Award for the month of June to Management Aide Ivis Torres.

“For Ivis, public service is more than a profession” Reyes said. “It is an opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape who she is today. Through her compassion, creativity, and unwavering commitment to service, she continues to make a meaningful impact on the community she is proud to call home. It is an honor to present this award to her.”

Torres joined the City in 2019, as part of the then newly established City Council Aide team or as we know it now, the Constituent Services Team in the City Manager’s Office.

As a member of the inaugural team, she supported the Mayor and City Council in their efforts to increase responsiveness to resident concerns and to have a pulse on the community’s needs.

When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in 2020, Torres became an integral member of the City Manager’s Office response efforts due to her background working in the medical industry.

She played a key role in communicating critical public health information to residents while helping City staff understand and address evolving community needs.

In 2021, Torres was promoted to a full-time Management Aide, continuing her work as a liaison to the Mayor and City Council. In this role, she coordinates responses to constituent concerns, facilitates Council requests, and works closely with departments to ensure residents receive timely and effective service.

Her multilingual efforts contributed to successful public engagement initiatives for major City projects and community improvements, including Ketchum-Libolt Park, Shalimar Park, and various housing initiatives.

In 2023, as Costa Mesa experienced an unprecedented number of evictions, Torres played an important role by providing housing navigation services and helping affected families connect with temporary housing resources.

Through her direct engagement with residents, she gained firsthand insight into the challenges facing tenants and relayed community concerns and feedback to City leadership. Her work helped inform the City’s response to the housing crisis and contributed to the development and eventual adoption of the City’s Tenant Protection Ordinance.

Recently, Torres assumed expanded responsibilities supporting the Mayor and City Council. In addition to her constituent services responsibilities, she is supporting the Council in an executive assistant capacity.

Torres has an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Orange Coast College and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Southern New Hampshire University.

The Costa Mesa City Council has agreed to a contract with WAGS Pet Adoption in Westminster to provide interim animal shelter services and veterinary care, concluding a previous agreement with Priceless Pets Rescue to provide shelter and adoption services for Costa Mesa pets.

The WAGS contract with the city is a temporary agreement and city officials will issue a formal request for proposal (RFP) to secure a permanent shelter provider.

“I am very grateful for how Priceless Pets has cared for our pets in Costa Mesa since 2018,” Mayor John Stephens said. “I look forward to starting a new chapter with WAGS. I personally visited their facility and was very impressed. They have an outdoor play area for dogs, a large kennel capacity, another play area for cats and veterinary services onsite. They are going to be a great partner going forward.”

In addition to Costa Mesa, WAGS provides animal shelter services for the cities of Westminster, Stanton and Seal Beach. As it pertains to Costa Mesa, WAGS will provide shelter services and assistance with lost and found pets, pet reclaims, and animal adoptions. The City of Costa Mesa will still provide the services of dog licensing, license renewals, rabies verifications, and licensing questions. 

WAGS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has been in business for 15 years. WAGS promotes adoptions and follows a high-save standard. Their priority is to find forever homes for pets, and they do not euthanize due to time or space. Euthanasia is used only when there are no humane alternatives, and only after a careful determination that, medically and behaviorally, every safe option has been exhausted, and the animal cannot be returned to an adoption pathway.

“On behalf of the Costa Mesa Police Department, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Priceless Pets for their commitment to serving our community and the animals entrusted in their care,” said Police Chief Joyce LaPointe. “Their dedication to providing compassionate care, finding loving homes for animals in need, and improving the lives of both pets and families has made a lasting impact throughout Costa Mesa. As we transition to WAGS, we remain appreciative of the partnership we had and look forward to working with another organization that shares the same commitment to animal welfare.”

Dr. Michelle Russillo, the President and CEO of WAGS Pet Adoption said she looks forward to the partnership with Costa Mesa.

“WAGS Pet Adoption is grateful for the opportunity to serve the City of Costa Mesa and will focus on a smooth, community-first transition that prioritizes pets’ safety and care,” Dr. Russillo said.

WAGS is located at 6621 Westminster Blvd. in Westminster, and for more information, please visit the website wagspetadoption.org.

Residents who find injured or deceased animals should continue to call the city’s Animal Control dispatch at (714) 754- 5674. For missing/lost pets, found pets, and general questions regarding animal control or to report wildlife related issues please call the Animal Control hotline at (714) 754-5311.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Roxi Fyad
(714) 754-5282
rfyad@costamesaca.gov

Tony Dodero
(714) 754-5288
tony.dodero@costamesaca.gov 

The City of Costa Mesa’s Neighborhoods Where We All Belong effort will implement several Housing Element programs and rezone Measure K sites to encourage and facilitate homebuilding in our community.

Two rounds of public visioning have been completed as part of this initiative.

In preparation for round three of outreach activities, draft amendments to the Zoning Code, specific plans, some General Plan Elements, and new multifamily and mixed-use objective design standards are available for public review May 18 through June 15 at www.costamesaneighborhoods.com.

Provide comments on the proposed regulations through an online comment form on the project website or by emailing neighborhoods@costamesaca.gov.

Instructions for providing input on the drafts can be viewed here: Provide Input On The Future Of Costa Mesa Housing

Draft amendments to the Housing Element, including additional sites to be added to the Housing Opportunity Sites Inventory, will be available in early June. The public comment period specific to the Housing Element will take place between June 8 and 15.

At that time, the draft Housing Element will be available on the project website and www.costamesaca.gov/housing-element-update. 

Let’s complete the plans together!

Please join us at an Open House to discuss the draft regulations and Housing Element requirements on June 3 at the Costa Mesa Senior Center.

Spanish interpretation, free snacks and refreshments, and a children’s art activity will be provided. 

Neighborhoods Where We All Belong Open House
Wednesday, June 3, 6-8 p.m.
Costa Mesa Senior Center
695 W. 19th Street

(Click flier to enlarge)

The Statewide Direct Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 2 and starting Saturday, May 30, five more Vote Centers will open in Costa Mesa.

The Costa Mesa Senior Center Vote Center officially opened on Saturday, May 23. Voters can cast ballots from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. through June 1. On Election Day, June 2, the Senior Center will be open for voters from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The center is at 695 W. 19th Street

The other Vote Centers opening May 30 are the following:

• Costa Mesa City Hall (Drive-thru and in-person)
  77 Fair Drive
• Balearic Community Center
  1975 Balearic Drive
• Norma Hertzog Community Center
  1845 Park Ave
• Orange Coast College – Student Union Bldg
  2701 Fairview Road (Enter off Pirate Way, Park in Lot A)
  
• Sofia University
  3333 Harbor Blvd (Enter off Law Court)

For a list of all vote center locations in Orange County and hours of operation click here https://ocvote.gov/elections/vote-center-locations.

Voters can also cast ballots at drop box locations. For a list of drop box locations in Costa Mesa click here https://ocvote.gov/elections/ballot-drop-box-locations.

For detailed information regarding the election please visit ocvote.gov or contact the ROV below: 

Orange County Registrar of Voters (ROV)
1300 South Grand Avenue, Building C
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 567-7600
Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

rovwebmaster@ocvote.gov.

Make your plan to vote today.

Due to the observation of the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 25, there will be no residential street sweeping the entire week through
Friday, May 29 as Costa Mesa Sanitary District also observes this holiday pushing trash collection back one day.

This results in residential gutter lines being cluttered with trash cans making it difficult for street sweeper operators to do an efficient job. Street sweeping will resume back to normal schedule starting the week of June 2. No parking citations will be issued during this time.

The following are a list of tasks that Clean Street’s operators will be conducting next week.

• City wide alley street sweeping
• Sweeping of park parking lots and other city-owned facilities
• Accident call outs and special requests
• Night route sweeping on all arterial streets

For more information, residents can call the city’s street sweeping hotline at (714) 327-7471, which has been updated with this information.

City Manager Cecilia Gallardo-Daly presented the May City Manager Leadership Award to Senior Planner Michelle Halligan.

“Michelle is an unstoppable force, with a keen understanding that it can take a lot of small steps to achieve a greater goal,” Gallardo-Daly said. “Her clear passion and enthusiasm as a public servant is demonstrated in everything she works on, creating lasting and meaningful impacts in the Costa Mesa community. I’m honored to present her with this award.”

Michelle began working for the City in 2019 as a consultant in Current Planning, then acting as the Planning Division’s Cannabis subject matter expert, processing numerous cannabis applications, and providing guidance on cannabis entitlements. In January 2024, Michelle became a permanent member of the Costa Mesa family as a Senior Planner in the Advanced Planning & Housing Division.

Over the last two years, Michelle has project manager for various key advanced planning efforts including implementation of the City’s Housing Element, managing the City’s Neighborhoods Where We All Belong effort to rezone the City’s Housing Element and Measure K sites, supporting the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP).

Michelle has spearheaded outreach for the neighborhoods effort, including branding, maximizing our social media and CMTV assets, and hosting several pop-up events across the City.

When the City received a letter from HCD, requesting a faster pathway for Housing Element certification, she quickly jumped in to help pivot and set a new schedule for rezoning the Housing Element sites.

She met the HCD’s timeline and got the Housing Element rezoning approved by City Council in March.

The mother of twins, Michelle is also on the Orange Coast Mother’s of Multiples Board and the Friends of Casa Holiday Luncheon Committee that raised over $700,000 for foster care programs in Orange County last year.

Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and over 18 years of dedicated planning experience.

On Wednesday, May 6, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Orange County section, presented the City of Costa Mesa with the “2026 Outstanding Transportation Project” Award for the Fairview Road Mobility Improvements Project.

The project is nearly completed between Fair Drive and Newport Boulevard.

This project implemented innovative mobility and safety improvements along one of the primary corridors in Costa Mesa. 

The roadway travels near College Park Elementary School and residential areas as well as Vanguard University and the Civic Center. 

The project delivers improvements while still serving existing car traffic along Fairview Road. Improvements include new high visibility crosswalks; new low-stress Cycle Tracks, the City’s first bus boarding islands, the City’s first bike signal, a new Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (HAWK) signal connecting residents to College Park Elementary School. 

Public Works Director, Raja Sethuraman and staff received the award at the ASCE OC Annual Awards Dinner in Fullerton. 

The Public Works Transportation Services Division is proud to receive an ASCE award on behalf of the City of Costa Mesa for three consecutive years and will continue to strive in developing award-winning projects that benefit the community and improve the quality of life in Costa Mesa for all roadway users.