Costa Mesa City Council Wrap-up

--Compiled by Lolita Harper

Here are some of the decisions made at the Costa Mesa City Council

meeting Monday:

Law enforcement grant surplus

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council will recommend that the Citizens Advisory Committee

use law enforcement grant surplus from 1999 and 2000 for crime

prevention, evidence storage and training for less-lethal ammunition use.

The city was awarded $51,214 in 1999, which it used to buy less-lethal

ammunition. The city used part of the $14,000 in 2000 grant funds to put

those weapons in traffic patrol vehicles as well. Remaining is $18,660.

Grant funds from previous years must be used within a certain amount of

time or the money will be lost.

Council members also agreed to allocate matching funds of $96,340,

which required a budget amendment.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The Citizens Advisory Committee is expected to allocate the surplus,

and the Police Department will receive funding for specific programs.

VOTE: 5-0 to recommend funding and approve a budget adjustment.

Community garden

WHAT HAPPENED:

The Public Services Department was advised to research the possibility

of either creating a community garden at 523 Hamilton St. or selling the

city-owned land.

The city has been unsuccessful in acquiring land next to the small

plot of land to build a large community park. For 25 years, the parcel

has been undeveloped, and council members decided to explore the option

of creating a pocket park.

In a March meeting, the Public Services Department made one more

attempt to buy some of the surrounding land to develop a larger park.

Staff was also asked by Councilwoman Linda Dixon to research the

possibility of a community garden at the site.

Bill Morris, who works in the department, said staff members did not

yet research the idea of a community garden. Mayor Libby Cowan said she

was disappointed that options for a garden had not been addressed when

Dixon had specifically asked for it.

Councilman Gary Monahan was less concerned with a park at the site and

more concerned with what the land could be worth to the city. He asked if

any buyers had expressed interest in the lot and suggested the city try

to sell it and then use the profit to fund bigger, better park projects.

Monahan directed staff to get an appraisal on the land.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The Public Services Department will return to the council with a

proposal for a garden and appraisal figures on the land.

VOTE: 5-0

WHAT THEY SAID:

Dixon thought she heard a snicker from Monahan while she was

describing the virtues of community parks.

“Quit laughing. It’s not funny, Gary.” Dixon said.

NEXT MEETING

What: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

When: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1

Where: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

Info: (714) 754-5223