City approves budget

COSTA MESA ? The city has moved a step closer to putting an immigration-enforcement plan in place after the City Council on Tuesday set aside money for the program.

Costa Mesa has been at the center of the controversy over illegal immigration since the council voted in December to give some police federal immigration-enforcement training. No plan has been created, but council members decided to include funding in the 2006-07 budget.

Council members approved a $126.8-million budget for 2006-07. They also voted for nearly $2 million in add-ons, such as the immigration plan. Among that $2 million was $303,551 for a gang-elimination plan; $200,000 for lights at the Costa Mesa Bark Park; and $100,000 for portable lights for athletic fields.

The budget already included money for permanent lights on two fields at the Farm Sports Complex, sidewalks on Broadway, design of a second skate park, and a wall to protect several homes along Adams Avenue.

So far the council’s immigration-enforcement policy has been to pattern it after one being written by Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona. But that could change after November elections.

Mayor Allan Mansoor, who first suggested the city take on immigration enforcement, is up for reelection, and Councilman Gary Monahan is termed out, leaving an open seat.

“It’s my intent to make sure that we have a council member to replace Gary Monahan that clearly will support going forward with” the immigration-enforcement plan,” Mansoor said, especially after recent raids uncovered three illegal immigrants who are convicted child molesters living in Costa Mesa.

“I respect the current direction by the council, but I certainly am ready to go forward apart from the Sheriff’s Department,” he said.

The council voted Tuesday to put aside $188,462 to fund the plan, though that cost is just an estimate.

The vote was split, 3-2, with Councilwomen Linda Dixon and Katrina Foley opposing the move, just as they opposed the initial plan.

After an arrest at a January council meeting and a major demonstration at City Hall in April, the immigration issue has quieted down a little, but council members haven’t softened their opinions.

Monahan on Tuesday gave an impassioned speech that lasted several minutes, mentioning the sweep that brought in the sex offenders and pointing out that Costa Mesa’s plan would target exactly such criminal illegal immigrants.

“I’ve had protesters in front of my restaurant for over two months. I’ve been called every four-letter word in the book,” Monahan said.

“If you don’t like the fact that we don’t like felons and gang members, then don’t vote for anyone who likes our immigration plan?. These folks, once arrested, need to go back.”

County supervisors will consider next year’s budget Tuesday, but it will not include funding for immigration enforcement.

Carona will seek federal reimbursement for any costs to train Sheriff’s employees, Orange County Sheriff’s Capt. Tim Board said.

Mansoor said he still wants to proceed with the city plan, even if no federal money is available.

The immigration plan fits into his philosophy that government’s top priority should be public safety, he said.dpt.22-skateboard-dl-BPhotoInfo1U1S7LOU20060622j18klzncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Brian Mank plants a hand on the rail of a bowl at the Volcom Skate Park of Costa Mesa. The City Council, with the adoption of a budget on Tuesday, set aside money to design another skate park. Wednesday was also international Go Skateboarding Day.