COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

ISSUE: Change the city’s motto from “Hub of the Harbor Area” to “City of

the Arts” and create a separate emblem.

ACTION: Approved 5-0

SUMMARY: Councilwoman Linda Dixon had suggested changing the city’s motto

as a community objective. She said “City of the Arts” would be a better

motto. Dixon said she had no intention of changing the design of the city

seal which features a picture of two graduates, an orange tree, a harbor

and the Orange Coast College library building. Instead, the wording on

the seal will be replaced. In addition, a separate emblem, which will

serve as the popularized version of the seal, would be created. The

emblem would be used on city vehicles, stationary and business cards. It

would cost up to $13,000 to make the change.

ISSUE: Purchase property owned by Michaels Stores Inc. at 610 W. 17th

Street for a widening project.

ACTION: Approved 5-0

SUMMARY: The city needs the 1,570-square-foot property at the Michaels

store as part of the 17th Street widening project. The property is being

purchased for $13,600. The money for the widening project is coming from

a grant from a $1.2 million grant from the Orange County Transportation

Authority. The $1.2 million grant will also pay for other right-of-way

purchases, design and construction costs of the project.

ISSUE: Award a $396,000 contract to R.J. Noble Company for a

reconstruction project on Santa Ana Avenue.

ACTION: Approved 5-0

SUMMARY: Santa Ana Avenue between Monte Vista Avenue and Mesa Drive will

be reconstructed. The work includes concrete repair, pavement

reconstruction, traffic markings, and traffic control. The work is being

paid for through Measure “M” funds.

ISSUE: Submit applications for six projects that could qualify for

federal grant money.

ACTION: Approved 5-0

SUMMARY: The Transportation Enhancement Activities Program is a federal

grant program for local and state agencies in Orange County. There is

$6.2 million available for transportation projects. Applications will be

submitted for the following projects in Costa Mesa: a Newport Boulevard

bike trail; a Fairview Park bike trail and bridge; city entrance gateway

signs; and new sidewalks on the south side of 19th Street between

Placentia Avenue and Whittier Avenue, 23rd Street between Orange Avenue

and Santa Ana Avenue, and the north side of Merrimac Way between Harbor

Boulevard and Fairview Road. The projects total $1.3 million.

ISSUE: Installation of a plaque at the 14th hole of Los Lagos Golf Course

in memory of Eric Johnson.

ACTION: Approved 5-0

SUMMARY: The Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club asked to install a

memorial plaque for former Council Member Eric Johnson. Johnson was also

a longtime member of the Lions Club and organizer of the Miss Costa Mesa

contest at the Lions’ annual Fish Fry. As part of the memorial, the Lions

Club plans to name the lake at the 14th hole, “Lake Johnson” because

Johnson often golfed there and was “fond” of shooting balls into the lake

there.

ISSUE: Appoint residents, a planning commissioner and a Costa Mesa

Chamber of Commerce representative to the East 17th Street Transportation

Alternatives Ad Hoc Committee.

ACTION: Approved 4-1, with Mayor Gary Monahan voting no.

SUMMARY: The council was asked to appoint Planning Commissioner Katrina

Foley, Chamber President Ed Fawcett and two citizen representatives to

the 17th Street Ad Hoc Committee. The committee was established to make

sure community and business needs would be represented during the project

to widen 17th Street to six lanes. Six representatives from the

businesses that line 17th Street were appointed to the committee in June.

The council was asked to appoint two residents to the committee but

Councilwoman Heather Somers asked that four be appointed instead to

ensure more of a balance. Residents Charlotte Johnson, David Gruder,

Michael Crisafulli and Arlene Schafer were appointed from the 14

residents who applied.