Costa Mesa City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison announced that Jason Minter, a 24-year veteran of municipal government, would be the new Director of Parks & Community Services.

“We interviewed several competent and well-qualified applicants, and Jason rose to the top of this highly competitive field and proved to be a truly outstanding candidate to lead our Parks & Community Services Department,” Farrell Harrison said. “I look forward to working with him during what has been a challenging time for Costa Mesa’s parks and recreational activities.”

Mayor Katrina Foley also cheered the news of Minter’s hiring.

“Costa Mesans love our parks and programs,” Mayor Foley said. “Gratefully, we found an experienced and proven leader at this critical time for our Parks and Community Services Department. I look forward to working with Mr. Minter on creative ways to offer programming to residents. We welcome him to our leadership team.”

For the last 13 years, Minter has been the Administrative Services Manager for city of Torrance, where he managed approximately 28 employees in the Registration and Facility Booking

Offices, the Park Ranger and Home Improvement Programs, and Toyota Sports Complex

His responsibilities in this position include all aspects of management, including budgeting, capital projects, employee relations, personnel management, training, disaster preparedness, audits and policymaking.

“I feel that my intensity and persistence, along with a fresh perspective on the Department’s programs and activities, will enable me to not only be an engaging, active leader, but also to provide innovative thinking and strategic planning necessary to keep the Department moving forward,” Minter said. “I look forward to this new challenge and getting to know the people and places that are unique to Costa Mesa.”

Costa Mesa’s Parks & Community Services Director has direct oversight over the city’s 30 parks, including Fairview, Bark Park and the Skate Park, recreation programs for youth and adults, sports field usage, Jack Hammett Sports Complex, the Costa Mesa Senior Center and the Downtown Recreation Center and Aquatics Center.

Prior to his career in Torrance, Minter worked for the cities of Long Beach, Hawthorne, Irvine and Los Alamitos in various Community Services roles.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Cal State University Dominguez Hills and a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Cal State University Long Beach.

The City of Costa Mesa recognizes that the Fourth of July holiday comes with traditions of block parties and neighborhood parades that many hold dear.

Unfortunately, as we all deal with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rules regarding mass gatherings from state and federal public health officials, July 4 parades and block parties are prohibited this year in Costa Mesa.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “A gathering refers to a planned or spontaneous event, indoors or outdoors, with a small number of people participating or a large number of people in attendance such as a community event or gathering, concert, festival, conference, parade, wedding, or sporting event. The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and COVID-19 spreading.”

The City of Costa Mesa urges all residents to enjoy the July 4 holiday by practicing social distance measures, wearing a face covering, frequently washing hands, cleaning and disinfecting common areas and staying home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

Also, high risk members of the community, including senior citizens and people of any age that suffer from chronic diseases, need to be especially aware of their risks for COVID-19 and should avoid gatherings where they cannot appropriately social distance.

We wish you all a happy and safe Fourth of July.

The City of Costa Mesa will reopen the Bark Park, with new rules and guidelines in place, this Saturday June 13.

“I know that many residents and their furry friends are anxious to return to the Bark Park,” Mayor Katrina Foley said.  “As we reopen it’s critical that our guests follow the social and physical distancing guidelines as well as clean up after pets playing in the park so that we can stay open. I’m looking forward to seeing many dogs running free during my daily walk past the park.”

Amenities will not be open at the park to limit touch points, including seating areas and dog water bowls. The public is encouraged to bring their own chairs, water, and dog water bowls to hydrate pets.

Additionally, as part of practicing responsible pet ownership, the public is encouraged to bring their own dog waste bags to pick up after their pets.

New signs are posted with the following guidance:

• Use facility at your own risk.
• Practice physical distancing of six feet or more.
• No gathering.
• Benches within Bark Park will remain closed at this time.
• Facial coverings are required while visiting the Bark Park.
• Practice good hygiene and stay home if you are sick.
• Wash your hands after visiting the park.
• Avoid petting or touching dogs that are not yours.

The Bark Park will be open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., except Wednesdays when it is closed for regular maintenance.

The City of Costa Mesa won another victory for its group home ordinances as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the federal court decision in SoCal Recovery, LLC v. City of Costa Mesa.

“It is a good day for Costa Mesa when one of the highest courts in the land agrees that our efforts to create reasonable public safety rules to maintain quality of life for our neighborhoods is lawful and correct,” Mayor Katrina Foley said. “Another victory for all Costa Mesa residents, including those exploited by unscrupulous sober living home operators.”

In the trial court, an unlicensed sober living home operator and one of its residents asked the court to stop the City from enforcing its ordinances against unlicensed sober living homes in single- and multi- family residential zones within the City, claiming that the City’s actions violated the Fair Housing Act. The trial court denied the injunction request.

Plaintiffs appealed to the Ninth Circuit. On appeal, plaintiffs argued that one of their unlicensed sober living homes should have been excused from the separation requirement in City Ordinance 14-13, which requires sober living homes to be located 650 feet away from other sober living homes and licensed drug or alcohol abuse treatment facilities.

A unanimous panel of judges rejected that argument and concluded that the trial court appropriately denied the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction. The panel agreed with the district court that the plaintiffs had not shown two of the four required factors for obtaining an injunction.

First, they had not established that the balance of public interest factors weighed in their favor; that is, the plaintiffs’ interests did not outweigh “the interests of the City in enforcing its ordinances and of the residents of sober living homes and the public at large in preserving the benefits the City ordinances conferred.”

The Ninth Circuit also concluded that the plaintiffs had failed to show a likelihood of success on the merits in their reasonable accommodation claim because they failed to follow the City’s established procedures for requesting a reasonable accommodation.

Since the City obtained the jury verdict in the Yellowstone matter in December of 2018, the City prevailed against sober living home operators by obtaining summary judgment in four of seven additional cases.

In addition, the Court has tentatively granted summary judgment to the City and is preparing its final order in a fifth case. The City is attempting to recover fees and expenses in these actions through motions currently pending with the Court.

Plaintiffs have appealed the jury verdict, two of the summary judgments, and one denial of Plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction.

The other three appeals are still pending before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue will conduct training exercises in and around Fairview Park June 9,10, and 11 in preparation for the upcoming wildland fire season. Exercises will occur between 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. near Canyon Drive and Pacific Avenue.

Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue wants to ensure that the community is aware of the upcoming training and asks residents/park visitors to be mindful of equipment and apparatus being utilized by fire personnel. These annual mandatory training exercises take place in Costa Mesa and countywide to help prepare the firefighters for vegetation fires within and outside of city limits.

Fire Chief Dan Stefano reminds residents of the dangers of wildfire season.

“While wildfires are a natural part of California’s landscape, the fire season in California and across the west is now year- round, which is why our firefighters must remain vigilant with wildland firefighting training,” Chief Stefano said.

There will be approximately 10 to 12 fire personnel present for the training and multiple pieces of fire department apparatus daily. Firefighters will train on a couple of trails in Fairview Park where there is dense vegetation and moderate terrain features. The training is conducted to promote safety, mitigation, terrain recognition, and area familiarization while focusing on the fundamentals of wildland firefighting.

The department is conducting training with full awareness and sensitivity of all environmental impacts and ensures this training will exclude any live burn training modules. The training is facilitated with the assistance of the Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Department and Fairview Park Administrator Cynthia D’Agosta. Moreover, the training will also adhere to County and City requirements and recommendations in regards to COVID19 safety precautions.

California experienced the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in its history in 2017 and 2018. Fueled by drought, an unprecedented buildup of dry vegetation and extreme winds, the size and intensity of these wildfires caused the loss of more than 100 lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and exposed millions of people to unhealthy air.

For questions please contact Captain Joseph Noceti, Public Information Officer at (714) 754-5091.

On Friday, June 5, the City of Costa Mesa approved greater use of some City parks to allow for expanded passive activities in addition to the current approved uses of walking, jogging and biking.

Individuals and members of the same household may relax, read, engage in other passive recreation, and picnic, subject to maintaining at least six feet of distance from others who are not members of the same household.

Areas that will remain closed to the public include playgrounds, restrooms, picnic shelter areas, sports courts, and all amenities that have touch points.  There can be no gathering, including team sports at this time.

Park visitors still need to adhere to the physical distancing of six feet or more from those not a member of their households, wear face coverings, and limit contact to people in the same household only.

Pet owners are encouraged to continue to be responsible and maintain dogs on a leash at all times, and waste bags should be carried to ensure that pet owners pick up after their pets.

The City of Costa Mesa on Tuesday June 2 received approximately $2.7 million from the County of Orange that will be earmarked to businesses operating within the city that have been financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic that forced the shutdown of the economy.

“We are grateful for the strong partnerships with our business community during this unprecedented pandemic,” Mayor Katrina Foley said. “Working together we will reopen safely so that customers return as the crisis looms on.  Our small businesses need our help now more than ever. These funds will help them offset the costs of reopening and all the new safety equipment and protocols. We remain confident that we will come back better than before and reStore Costa Mesa’s vibrant economy.”

The money the city will receive comes from $75 million in funding the county received from the federal CARES act relief fund that is being distributed to the five districts in the county, with each district receiving $15 million.

Second District Board Member and Board Chairwoman Michelle Steel committed to allocating $15 million directly to the cities in her District and presented the money to Mayor Foley at the County Administration offices on June 2.

City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison echoed Foley’s remarks.

“We are grateful to the county for allocating these funds to our businesses,” Farrell Harrison said. “Our Costa Mesa business community needs resources to recover and this money comes at a critical time as they prepare to reopen fully. Special thanks to Chairwoman Steel and County CEO Frank Kim for their leadership in helping businesses in Costa Mesa and the county get back on their feet.”

Chairwoman Steel issued this statement.

“I trust that city governments have a better understanding of the needs of their local business community,” said Chairwoman Steel.  “For that reason, I will be allocating my share of the $15 million directly to the cities in my district.”

The Costa Mesa City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison has issued a curfew for today, Monday, June 1, 2020, that begin at 7:00 p.m. PST and end Tuesday, June 2, at 5:30 a.m. PST.

This order is in response to recent civil unrest in the region and bordering cities that could potentially affect the City of Costa Mesa. CMPD is aware of social media posts supporting vandalism and looting in the city.

“The City of Costa Mesa supports the public’s right to peaceably assemble and hold non-violent demonstrations outside the curfew hours. Vandalism, rioting, and looting; however, will not be tolerated and those engaging in criminal acts will be subject to arrest,” said Police Chief Bryan Glass.

During the curfew, all persons are prohibited from traveling on public streets, alleys, parks, or any public place. Traveling for purposes that include seeking emergency care, going to and from work, religious services, seeking or giving emergency care are exempt. All law enforcement, fire and medical personnel, as well as other personnel authorized by the CMPD and credentialed members of the armed services, are also exempt.

“We are aware of a flier that is circulating on social media regarding a protest being planned in Costa Mesa,” Mayor Katrina Foley said.  “I have complete confidence that our Police Department will be ready as always to keep our residents and businesses safe as we maneuver through these troubling times.“

At the beginning of the 7:00 p.m. curfew, the following Costa Mesa streets will be closed until deemed safe to reopen:

• Sunflower Avenue will be closed between Bear and Bristol Streets
• Bear will be closed between Sunflower Avenue and Paularino Avenue
• Southbound Bristol Street between Sunflower Avenue and the 405 Freeway
• South Coast Drive between Bear Street and the 405 Freeway off ramp
• Plaza Drive at Sunflower Avenue

The California Department of Public Health has announced that counties, including Orange County, that have met the criteria to reopen hair salons and barbershops can now do so with safety measures such as mandatory face coverings for stylists and clients.

Additionally, the health department announced the statewide reopening of places of worship for religious services with strict guidelines.

According to the state, to reopen, salons and barbers must:

• Implement measures to ensure physical distancing of at least six feet between and among workers and customers, except when providing haircutting and other close contact services.
• Provide temperature and/or symptom screenings for all workers at the beginning of their shift and any vendors, contractors, or other workers entering the establishment.
• Encourage workers and customers who are sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to stay home.
• Screen customers upon arrival and be prepared to cancel or reschedule customers who indicate they have any signs of illness.
• Require workers and customers to use face coverings during the entire haircutting and other close contact hair services.

Click here for the full guidance on barbershops and hair salons.

According to the state, to reopen for religious services and funerals, places of worship must:

• Establish and implement a COVID-19 prevention plan for every location, train staff on the plan, and regularly evaluate workplaces for compliance.
• Train employees and volunteers on COVID-19, including how to prevent it from spreading and which underlying health conditions may make individuals more susceptible to contracting the virus.
• Implement cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
• Set physical distancing guidelines.
• Recommend that staff and guests wear cloth face coverings, and screen staff for temperature and symptoms at the beginning of their shifts.
• Set parameters around or consider eliminating singing and group recitations. These activities dramatically increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. For this reason, congregants engaging in singing, particularly in the choir, and group recitation should wear face coverings at all times and when possible, these activities should be conducted outside with greater than 6-foot distancing.

Click here for the full guidance on places of worship.

The County of Orange has been approved to reopen to Stage 2 of the state’s resiliency roadmap.  This approval means in-person dining and retail shopping, with restrictions, now have the state’s greenlight in the City of Costa Mesa and all of Orange County.

Click here to read the county’s release.

Click here for the public health order from Dr. Quick at OC Health.

“The news today from our Governor is encouraging. The last two months have been unprecedented, but all of our sacrifices and hard work truly paid off,” Mayor Katrina Foley said.  “I am optimistic that together we can enter a new phase of reopening our local economy in a way that is safe and restores the vitality of our amazing local businesses.”

“Our reStore Costa Mesa initiative, a public private partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Travel Costa Mesa, the South Coast Metro Alliance, and many other businesses, has been working for weeks to ensure Costa Mesa’s businesses are ready to reopen with safety in mind,” she continued. “I am grateful for the excellent partnership with our local business community and proud of their resilience. I would also like to thank Mayor Pro Tem, John Stephens, and Council Member Andrea Marr for leading the Council’s efforts to help reopen office workplaces and community services, respectively.  We all share a collective commitment to safety as we move into this new stage of our economic recovery.”

The state’s approval for the county to go to the next phase of Stage 2 means that Costa Mesa’s multitude of restaurants and fine dining, as well as shopping centers such as South Coast Plaza, the Camp, the Lab and SoCo and hundreds of smaller retail establishments can offer, with restrictions, in-person experience to diners and shoppers in addition to curbside deliveries.

Additionally, the approval allows other businesses to also reopen including:

• Personal services, limited to: car washes, pet grooming, tanning facilities and landscape gardening
• Office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged)
• Outdoor museums and open gallery spaces
• Schools

Other amenities like gyms, bars, gaming areas, barbers, hair and nail salons, professional sporting events, theme parks, movie theaters, and performing arts theaters are still not permitted.  Those businesses and establishments are addressed in Stage 3. The governor indicated he would provide guidance for churches to open this coming Monday May 25.

As businesses plan to reopen, they need to complete a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.

These plans include social distancing, sanitation, screening and prevention, minimizing physical contact during transactions and employee training.

The County of Orange Back2Business Initiative will provide up to 1,000 small businesses with free access to floor plan software to help them meet the latest social distancing requirements. For more information, click here.

Our reStore Costa Mesa and Costa Mesa’s BAC initiatives offer helpful information on preparing businesses for reopening and contain the guidelines for each industry’s state approved guidelines and checklists for reopening.  Guidelines from Federal regulatory agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Cal OSHA for reopening are included on the City’s website as well.  Click www.costamesabac.com to learn more.

For more information on the City of Costa Mesa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, go to www.costamesaca.gov/covid19.

In anticipation of the Memorial Day weekend, local and state government leaders are urging the public to avoid large crowds and gatherings and take safe precautions during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Further, the California State Parks is asking residents who are planning to head for the outdoors this Memorial Day weekend to heed this advice:

• Plan Ahead – Before leaving home, visit the webpage of your local destination to find out if it is open, if parking is available and to learn about the new visitor guidelines. Click here for the latest guidance on Costa Mesa parks and businesses
• Stay Local – Stay close to home. Do not take road trips to parks and beaches.  Park parking lots in Costa Mesa remain closed
• Stay Safer at Six Feet – Always maintain a physical distance from others. Visitors are being asked to leave if there are too many people to allow for the required physical distance.
• Keep it Moving – Picnicking, lounging, or gatherings remain prohibited.  Walk, jog, or bike through open parks to get outside and enjoy the warm weather.
• Keep Clean – Be prepared. Not all restrooms are open to the public. Bring soap/sanitizer and pick up all trash.
• Keep Your Pets Leashed – Obey leash laws and pick up after your pet.  Avoid petting animals that aren’t yours, and avoid letting people pet your animals.
• Avoid Playgrounds – In Costa Mesa, playgrounds remain closed, as do all amenities.  Avoid frequently touched surfaces.
• Obey signs – Temporary signage with safety guidelines are posted at parks.  Please adhere to the rules and help keep everyone safe.
• Stay Home if You are Sick – If you are not feeling well, stay home.

Click here for more information.

The City of Costa Mesa Tennis Center will reopen effective May 19, 2020.   The Tennis Center had been shuttered along with all City parks on March 24.

The Tennis Center, which has been managed by longtime Orange County tennis professional Hank Lloyd since 1999, will open with guidelines in place that strictly limit touch points, prohibit gatherings, and keep the pro shop closed.

“We are working diligently to ensure that the phased reopening of public spaces is compliant with the Governor’s orders and maintains the health and safety of our community,”  said Acting Director of Parks and Community Services Yvette Aguilar.

The reopening of the Tennis Center comes after the city opened most City parks for passive use and reopened the Costa Mesa Golf Course with guidelines.