COST MESA CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

EL TORO LAWSUIT

Councilman Chris Steel is leading the charge at City Hall tonight to

include Costa Mesa as a plaintiff in a yet-filed lawsuit challenging

Measure W.

Steel said it is the city’s responsibility to fight for an airport at

the the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in order to ensure that

not only the county’s transportation needs are met but that residents

will not suffer from the negative effects of a possible John Wayne

Airport expansion.

The councilman wants Costa Mesa to take a lead role in the campaign to

overturn the Orange County Central Park and Nature Preserve Initiative --

more commonly known as Measure W.

In March, Orange County voters passed the initiative, which allowed

the zoning of the former Marine base to be changed for park and open

space and essentially block an international airport at the site.

Immediately after the passage of Measure W, a petition was filed in

Superior Court by the Airport Working Group -- a local organization in

favor of an international airport at El Toro -- challenging the

lawfulness of the measure. The Orange County Regional Airport Authority

voted to appear as a plaintiff in the lawsuit and is asking that Costa

Mesa consider the same.

What to expect:

Council members are expected to refuse to be named as plaintiffs.

CRIME INCREASE REPORT/B>

Police officials will present a detailed report to the council

regarding the increase in violent crimes in 2001.

Costa Mesa Police Capt. Tom Warnack will present statistics that

analyze the rise in what police classify “part one” crimes, which include

murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and

arson. According to a study released by the state attorney general, Costa

Mesa’s part one crime rate rose 16.2% from 2000 to 2001.

The increase comes after a nine-year crime reduction of 61% between

1991 to 2000. A staff report by Warnack notes the rise in crime was

disturbing but not unexpected because the city crime rates followed

nationwide trends that also increased.

What to expect:

Council members will receive and file the report.

COMMUNITY OBJECTIVES

Council members will review the progress of various community

objectives and track the allocation of about $2.6 million in extra

revenue funds to complete those goals.

The council reviewed the options for the use of $2,596,420, which was

reported as general fund net revenues by an independent auditor. The

finance department is suggesting the council vote to save 35% for next

year’s budget, 50% on various capital improvement projects and 15% on the

recently identified community objectives.

Some of the recommended capital improvement projects include

decorative street lighting on 19th Street from Park to Placentia avenues,

paving of 19th Street from Anaheim to Park avenues, and the design costs

of the Police Department expansion.

What to expect:

The council is expected to approve the community objectives.

FYI

* WHO: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

* WHEN: 6:30 p.m. tonight

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

* INFORMATION: (714) 574-5225