COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

CRIME EVICTION ORDINANCE

Council members today will take another look at a proposed crime

eviction program that would enable the city to evict a resident if the

police find out about illegal drug activity on the property.

Councilman Chris Steel pushed for a similar ordinance in May -- with

the support of the Costa Mesa Police Department -- that called for

evicting someone after a known arrest of drug- or gang-related crimes.

His council colleagues thwarted his efforts, saying they believed the law

could discriminate against some people.

Since then, officers and council members have met to make changes to

the proposed ordinance. As proposed tonight, the law requires a

conviction of a drug-related offense, not merely an arrest, before the

tenant can be evicted. Police also dropped the gang-related crimes part

of the previous proposal.

Police officials reported 63 drug-related arrests, 10 of which would

have resulted in a conviction under the proposed law.

What to expect:

The Costa Mesa Police Department recommends approval.

PRIVATE PROPERTY SOLICITATION

The City Council tonight will review changes to the city’s code that

regulates solicitation to include enforcement on private property.

The existing law prohibits people from seeking employment, business or

donations on public streets, but does not cover solicitors who congregate

in private parking lots or in front of a business.

If adopted, the new ordinance would make it illegal for people to seek

employment on any property with signs specifically prohibiting it.

A number of vocal residents have encouraged the council to do

something about day laborers and other solicitors who hang out in front

of liquor stores and storage facilities. Costa Mesa Police Capt. Tom

Warnack said previously that officers cannot take action against

solicitors on private property unless the owners make a complaint. Many

owners don’t mind or don’t want to hassle with the procedure, Warnack

said.

What to expect:

The City Council is expected to approve the tentative ordinance.

TEN WORST STREETS

Council members will review a list of the 10 worst residential streets

in the city and decide whether to set aside funding to improve them.

Two weeks ago, when the council was deciding how to spend its extra

revenue, Councilman Gary Monahan asked the public service department to

analyze the 10 most damaged streets in the city and present the report to

the City Council. Monahan also asked for information on streets that do

not have continuous sidewalks down the length of the street. The

councilman referred to them as “missing link sidewalks.”

According to a staff report, it would cost $420,900 to fix the 10

worsts streets -- the majority on the Westside -- and an additional

$175,000 for the missing sidewalks on at least four street segments.

The staff report indicates hospitals, schools, convalescent homes and

senior centers would receive first priority for sidewalk repair, followed

by public parks.

What to expect:

The council is expected to approve the funding for both projects.

JOANN STREET BIKE TRAIL

The City Council will consider building a fence along the length of

the Joann Street bike trail to protect the privacy of neighboring homes

rather than deleting the entire trail.

In May, then Councilwoman Linda Dixon asked the public services

department to consider removing the Joann Street bike trail from the

city’s master plan of bikeways because of residents’ reports of problems

with it. Neighbors said people hung out on the trail, threw rocks in

their pools, picked their fruit and were loud.

The parks and recreation commission sent out more than 1,500

notifications for a community workshop and only three people came. Those

who were there supported the idea of a fence being built to shield their

houses.

What to expect:

Council members are expected to keep the bike trail and approve the

fence.

FYI

* WHO: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today

* WHERE: Council Chambers at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive

* INFORMATION: (714) 754-5225