COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

-- Compiled by Lolita Harper

Here are some of the decisions made at Tuesday’s Costa Mesa City

Council meeting.

STREET SWEEPING

WHAT HAPPENED: The City Council authorized street sweeping for

specific parts of the city to serve as a test for a possible citywide

program.

Council members chose streets that Public Services Department staff

recommended, including the streets surrounding College Park School,

Pomona Avenue -- between 17th and 18th streets -- and Darrell Street,

between Pomona Avenue and Meyer Place.

Mayor Linda Dixon asked city staffers to add Plumer Street to the

pilot program to appease a resident who addressed the issue at the

meeting. The man asked council members to start a street-sweeping program

and eliminate the trash in his neighborhood.

Dixon said the fact that the man stayed past 9 p.m. to speak about the

issue sends a message that an increase in street sweeping is important.

Councilman Gary Monahan opposed the action, saying only 10 people of

86 surveyed supported street sweeping. Monahan said he believed residents

already gave their input and that a vote to support the program would

ignore it.

WHAT IT MEANS: A staff report showed the trial will serve as a

pilot program to monitor the effectiveness and survey the affected

residents for their opinions. Findings will be presented to the City

Council.

Council members have been concerned with the amount of contaminants

that are washed into local waters and believe increased street sweeping

could remedy the situation.

VOTE: 4-1 in support of the pilot street sweeping program

WHAT WAS SAID: Councilwoman Libby Cowan said she thought it was

time to move forward with a better street-sweeping program.

“I know it’s difficult to get cars moved, but it is important, not

only for the city, but for the cleaning of storm drains,” she said.

BAKER STREET REHAB

WHAT HAPPENED: Council members awarded a $2-million contract for the

rehabilitation of sections of Baker Street and Fairview Road.

Portions of Baker Street -- from Harbor Boulevard to McClintock Way,

and from Bristol Street to Newport Boulevard, as well as Fairview Road

from Wilson Street to Newport Boulevard -- are approved to receive

federal funding grants. The grants reimburse the city for about half of

the costs.

The work consists of clearing and grubbing, placement of asphalt and

concrete, traffic control, traffic striping and marking, and installation

of concrete improvements.

All American Asphalt was the lowest bidder, with a proposal of $2.01

million. The bid is 28% lower than previous estimates for the job, but

staff reports find the proposal responsible, based on good references.

WHAT IT MEANS: Measure M and gas tax funds provided funding for the

project.

VOTE: 5-0 in support of the rehabilitation

NEXT MEETING

* WHAT: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday

* WHERE: Costa Mesa City Hall, 77 Fair Drive

* INFORMATION: (714) 754-5223