CITY COUNCIL GOES WITH NEW BLOOD FOR FOUR SEATS ON THE TWO COMMISSIONS
At this morning's City Council meeting (last night's meeting didn't end until approximately
12: 40 a.m. this morning), the Council selected Colin McCarthy and Stephen Mensinger as new Planning Commissioners.
In doing so, the Council rejected present Commissioners Donn Hall and Eleanor Egan whose terms were up, but who had both reapplied to be on the Planning Commission, in what some might interpret as a lack of confidence vote for the duo.
From all reports, both McCarthy and Mensinger will be good for the improvement of Costa Mesa, and especially the Westside.
For the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Council picked newbies Kim Pederson and Jeff Mathews to replace Bob Graham, whose term was up but who had reapplied for his seat, and Mark Harris who, after many productive years on the Commission, didn't reapply this time. Had Harris reapplied, it is almost certain that he would have retained his seat. Hopefully, he'll stay active in the City as he is considered good for improvement.
Both Pederson and Matthews are also considered to be good for improvement.
Kim Alan Pederson, is an interesting choice even beyond what may sound a little like a Boy Named Sue first name. You'll usually see Pederson's large hulking frame at most youth sports games around the city or doing various other things relating to our parks and sports fields, including doing the finger-nail dirtying job of making fields ready for use. His hands on experience and advice should be invaluable at a time when the City is trying to develop new sports fields.
A BETTER WAY
Councilmember Monahan briefly touched on something during the Commission selection process that the CM PRESS has long advocated: We believe that all ten Commissioners should submit proforma resignation letters after every election and then reapply if they wish.
Since all the Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the City Council, this full resignation idea would set up a codified process that would tend to ensure that the Council has Commissioners who share the same general philosophy as the Council and wouldn't be working against the wishes of the Council.
Whether the Council will fully explore such a process or not is anyone's guess.
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SENIOR CENTER BOARD DELAYS COMMITTEE IDEA
Here's a link to the Daily Pilot story about the board of the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation delaying until February a vote on whether to allow the City Council to form a committee, as proposed by Council member Gary Monahan, to take a look at the Senior Center.
Don't be confused. The Senior Center is in the building located at 695 W. 19th Street that is owned by the citizens of Costa Mesa, while the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation is the non-profit company "hired" by the City of Costa Mesa to run the Senior Center for the City of Costa Mesa, instead of having the City run the Center itself as is the case with most other cities.
Look, let's not be coy about what's going on. A number of seniors have complained about various matters at the Senior Center.
When Mayor Pro Tem Leece tried to investigate, she apparently hit a stone wall.
When Mayor Pro Tem Leece tried to investigate, she apparently hit a stone wall.
Even though Mr. Monahan says his committee idea is not related to the way Ms. Leece was treated, and even if he's being completely honest, the committee will no doubt look at complaints and other matters. And, this is as it should be.
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COASTLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXPANDING TO THE WESTSIDE BLUFFS?
At its regularly scheduled meeting tonight, starting at 6:30 p.m., the Coast Community College District Board of Trustees will discuss the possible purchase of properties at 1527-1533 Monrovia Ave. in Newport Beach.
These properties are between Production Place and W. 15th Street and are within a stone's throw of Costa Mesa.
We don't know what the Trustees have in mind, but if they're planning anything to do with medical training, this would be a great location given its close proximity to Hoag Hospital.
Don't forget that not far north of these properties on Monrovia, but on the Costa Mesa side of the border, Nexus Development has a condo project in the works (that may be apartments until the market turns around) that could provide housing opportunities for students and staff of the Coastline College development if it goes forward.
Also remember that these properties are close to the Banning Ranch site.
The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 1370 Adams Ave.
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Those are our opinions. Thanks for reading them.
