COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

-- Compiled by Lolita Harper

Here are some of the decisions that were made at Monday’s Costa Mesa

City Council meeting:

POLICE MEMORIAL

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council unanimously agreed to rename Maple Park, a small

pocket park in the making, to Ketchum-Libolt Park in honor of the only

two Costa Mesa officers to ever be killed in the line of duty.

Council members previously reviewed plans for the small public park at

2150 Maple Ave. and decided to name it Maple Park. But after receiving a

letter from Police Capt. Jim Watson, the Public Services Department has

recommended the name be changed to honor the officers.

Dave Ketchum and Mike Libolt were killed March 10, 1987, in a

helicopter crash while chasing a stolen vehicle. Both officers were Costa

Mesa residents and Vietnam veterans. This year will mark the 15th

anniversary of their deaths.

Ketchum left behind his wife, Meg, and two daughters. Libolt was

engaged at the time of his death and also had two children.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The 15,130-square-foot park, which includes a playground, picnic area,

turf area and a concrete play area, will be named in honor of the fallen

officers. Audience members said they hoped the dedication of the park

could correspond with the 15th anniversary of the crash.

VOTE: 5 to 0 to rename the park

BRISTOL STREET SPECIFIC PLAN

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council narrowly agreed to proceed with a plan designed to make

some major changes along Bristol Street.

Changes are designed to improve the portion of the street between the

San Diego Freeway and Redhill Avenue by way of new requirements and

zoning standards.

In August, the council discussed several options for improvement. Some

ideas included creating an oversight committee and hiring a consultant.

The first order of business would be to recruit members for the

committee and, once their findings have been noted, start the bidding

process for a consultant, the report stated. A contract would then be

awarded by the council.

Mayor Linda Dixon said the committee should include a member from the

City Council, the Planning Commission, the parks commission, three

residents in the area, three area business owners and one at-large

member. She also suggested Councilman Chris Steel should be the council

liaison.

Councilwoman Libby Cowan said a specific plan was not needed for the

neighborhood. Councilwoman Karen Robinson also voted against the idea.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The city will now recruit members and accept applications for the

Bristol Street Specific Plan Committee.

VOTE: 3 to 2 in favor of a Bristol Street Specific Plan

WHAT WAS SAID:

Cowan said she did not understand why the Bristol Street area was

being targeted.

“I see that area as vibrant and economically sound. I’m not sure of

the underlying reasons to establish a specific plan,” she said.

FYI

* WHAT: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7

* WHERE: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

* INFORMATION: (714) 754-5221