Public Comments — Costa Mesa City Council, July 16, 2024

From: Priscilla Rocco
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Supporting the Beekeeping Ordinance
Date: Monday, July 15, 2024 11:42:37 PM
City Council,
Thank you Councilwoman Marr and Reynolds for supporting an ordinance allowing beekeeping in Costa Mesa. If I am any example, I think this ordinance will apply mostly to people who already have bees in their garden - whether in a trash can like mine, or in a proper hive where the honey is harvested. These honey bees were attracted to my garden because it is full of traditional fruit trees, fruit and vegetable plants, and lots and lots of flowers. They liked my garden and I liked that they pollinated my garden.

My goal has always been to give the bees a home and all the pollen and nectar they want, so they can raise more bees for the environment. I realize there will be a process to go through and fees to pay with this ordinance, but I'm willing to do that so I can continue raising bees.

The process for attracting native bees is not as automatic, but just as important because they too are declining due to habitat loss. Since native bees and native plants evolved together, you must plant the right native plants to attract native bees. I have gardened for more than 50 years, but this is a learning process for me, as I'm sure it is for others. Quite a while ago I started planting more drought tolerant plants, and now I'm transitioning to more natives. The more folks plant native plants, the more I hope we will see native bees making a comeback. It's mostly an issue of educating people.

Some have questioned whether the native bees will be challenged by my honey bees. I don't know. I guess I will learn as I plant more and more natives. But I tend to think that if I have the right mix of natives and other plants, things will work out. The whole idea is that our gardens can be planted to make up for the habitat loss of many creatures. Many people are planting native milkweed in their gardens to help the Monarchs. Once the neighbors saw the Monarchs in my garden every summer, they planted native milkweed too to help the species and enjoy their beauty.

Now here are a few facts you may not know about bees. Worldwide there are over 20,000 species of bees. 75% of all bees are solitary bees, and 70% of those make nests in the ground in vacant rodent holes or other cavities. Solitary bees don’t produce honey, they eat pollen and nectar, and pollinate many native plants. The two types of bees that make honey are social bees that live in groups: Bumble bees are native to North America and live underground: and honey bees were brought here from Europe and live above ground in hives. So you see, European honey bees are actually the minority, but they are often the only bee people hear about.

Priscilla Rocco
Costa Mesa
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report any suspicious activities to the Information Technology Department.

From: Ian
To: CITY CLERK
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Costa Mesa City Council, did you hear us?
Date: Monday, July 15, 2024 7:45:07 PM
Dear Costa Mesa City Council,
Please stop this unnecessary plan.

I am supporting a petition called "Halt the Parking Restrictions on Santa Ana Ave in East Side Costa Mesa" started by Benny Hallock:
https://www.change.org/p/halt-the-parking-restrictions-on-santa-ana-ave-in-east-side-costa-mesa? utm_source=supporter_emails_dm
You have been identified as a decision maker on this petition so I am reaching out to you for a response. What is your opinion about this petition? You can respond by replying to this email.

Thanks for reading,
P.S. Check out services for decision makers: https://www.change.org/decision-makers? utm_source=supporter_emails_dm
Thank you,
Ian Young
949-697-8677
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report any suspicious activities to the Information Technology Department.

From: Turner, Jennifer@Wildlife
To: DALTON, KELLY M.

Subject: Fly Field Closure
Date: Monday, March 20, 2023 11:51:09 AM
Attachments: Draft FVP Flying Field Closure Report March 2023.docx Hello Kelly,
In response to our conversation a few weeks ago and our most recent email exchange, CDFW would be supportive if the City was to eliminate the model aircraft flying activity in Fairview Park. As a State Trustee Agency for natural resources sees the current activities at Fairview Park as potentially adverse to a variety of sensitive plant and wildlife species as well as valuable habitat types, including vernal pools, coastal sage scrub, and riparian vegetation.

Currently, the designated model aircraft
flying area directly overlaps with these habitats.

Sensitive wildlife species are found in and adjacent to the designated flying area, including burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia; CDFW Species of Special Concern (SSC)), white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus; Fully Protected), northern harrier (Circus hudsonius; SSC), coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica; SSC, Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed-threatened), San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis; Federal ESA listed-endangered), and Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni; Federal ESA listed-endangered). Sensitive plant species in and adjacent to the flying area include San Diego button celery (Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii; California Endangered Species Act listed-endangered, Federal ESA listed-endangered, California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR) 1B.1), Orcutt’s grass (Orcuttia californica; Federal ESA listed-endangered, CRPR 1B.1), , prostrate navarretia (Navarretia prostrata; CRPR 1B.2), and small-flowered microseris (
Microseris douglasii ssp. platycarpha; CRPR 4.2).

CDFW would like to express our support for full closure of the flying field due to impacts to sensitive biological resources. Small, unmanned aircraft have high potential to disturb sensitive avian species and can cause physiological stress and decreases in reproduction and survival (Mulero-Pázmány et al., 2017). We are especially concerned about impacts to raptor species which forage on the mesa near the flying field and may mistake a model craft for a competing predator. Smaller birds such as coastal California gnatcatcher may also identify craft as birds of prey; similar instances with other species have occurred locally. For example, in 2021, a drone crash led to the abandonment of approximately 1,500 elegant tern nests at CDFW-owned-and-managed Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, only seven miles northwest of Fairview Park. We are concerned that continued operation of the flying field could lead to similar direct and indirect impacts to sensitive avian resources there.

Fairview Park supports one of the last coastal terrace vernal pools complexes in Orange County.

Conservation and management of the San Diego fairy shrimp and its habitat in Fairview Park and other vernal pool complexes in the Los Angeles Basin-Orange Management Area is one of the criteria identified for recovery of the San Diego fairy shrimp in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery Plan for Vernal Pools of Southern California. Vernal pools in Fairview Park also support several plant species that are locally rare (City 2008; Chung 2010). Model aircraft activity at the flying field results in degradation of vernal pool habitats at Fairview Park when uncontrolled landings and associated vegetation trampling occur. For the above reasons, CDFW would be in support of a closure which ATTACHMENT 3
would eliminate this source of pedestrian disturbance for the sensitive habitats present on site.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this email please contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Turner
Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor)
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
South Coast Region 5
3883 Ruffin Road
San Diego, CA 92123
Office: (858) 467-2717
Mobile: (858) 539-9109

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report any suspicious activities to the Information Technology Department. 1 July 16, 2024
Dear Mayor Stephens and City Council Members,

Fairview Park Alliance (FPA) is very concerned about the vote city council made on May 2, 2023 to allow glider planes to launch and fly in the vernal pool complex watershed ignoring recommendations from USFW, CDFW, city contracted biologist, city committee, and community members. The president of the HSS at the time, Mr. Mat Garcia claimed that it was “only city staff” that did not want them flying in Fairview Park and all other agencies supported them being there.

This is simply not true and you knew it since the recommendations were included in the staff report. I have included their recommendations in my PowerPoint presentation and hope you read them again since their analysis has not changed. Why did you ignore the agency recommendations?

Mr. Garcia also claimed that USFW had no problem with HSS being in Fairview Park and thought flying in Fairview Park was compatible. This also is simply not true and I have included the email from USFW from May 4, 2023 stating that ANY glider planes would kick the birds out and it was their understanding that the flying would be relocated.

Why didn’t you listen to the scientific experts, city contracted biologist, city staff, and the city committee? Don’t you respect USFW or CDFW? Don’t you trust the biologist or city staff you hired? This year agreement with HSS started in July 2023 and would have come before you this July or August for review but FPA has learned that the city manager extended the agreement for another 6 months without a public announcement or public input. This is another six months of degradation of the vernal pool watershed that will kick the birds out.

Why was this extension made behind closed doors with the flyers?

FPA has documented the glider plane presence in Fairview Park per USFW recommendations and have documented HSS taking out a keystone species, Fascicled Tarplant, in a biologically sensitive habitat, trampling the native plants outside their designated area, and making new trails in the vernal pool watershed. HSS has historically degraded the sensitive habitat with the city’s help.

I have shared these photos with you throughout the year to no avail.

You all seem unmoved by this destruction, but the community isn’t.

A 501(c)(3) non-profit
corporation
Tax ID 82-2238446

Board Members:

Kim Hendricks
President
Priscilla Rocco
Treasurer & Secretary
Jason Komala
Web Master

Mailing Address:

Fairview Park Alliance
P.O. Box 2471
Costa Mesa, CA 92628-2471

E-Mail Address:

[email protected]

Website:
www.fairviewparkalliance.org

2 After your motion on May 2, 2023 a petition was started by a Costa Mesa resident and in two weeks there were 380 signatures supporting the removal of the flyers from Fairview Park. That is more signatures than HSS has followers on their Facebook page.

Fairview Park Alliance has over 800 members on Facebook.

HSS is a handful of Costa Mesa residents that have been allowed to do whatever they want in Fairview Park for years. HSS says they have been serving the community for 50 years. If so, then why does their membership decline annually?

With natural open park space dwindling, why does city council and the city manager allow a small group of hobbyists to destroy sensitive habitat and take away natural open space from the whole community? Why does city council and the city manager spend tax payers money to monitor this activity? Why did city council listen to misinformation from HSS and ignore the scientific experts?

With the recent Fairview Park Master Plan (FPMP) consultant findings, the Fairview Park Steering Committee (FVPSC) has recommended that glider planes be relocated outside of Fairview Park. Will you ignore them too? They are members of the community who care about Fairview Park’s ecosystems for all generations. Why do you continue to ignore scientific findings and allow this small group of hobbyists to continue their destruction?

The City of Costa Mesa has a responsibility to the community and to federal and state agencies to protect Fairview Park’s endangered and threatened species.

“While accommodating public uses within Fairview Park, it is the City’s responsibility to ensure that its actions comply with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (USFW letter to City Engineer and Project Manager Mr.

Baltazar Mejia dated July 24, 2014 )

With each update to the FPMP, items have been deleted because of their incompatibility with the overall passive natural park.

“The plans involved a range of activities gradually moving to more passive uses in each successive plan.” (FPMP p. 8)

3 “The overwhelming consensus is to continue a park for passive use by individuals and small groups and to enhance the natural environment of the park for those uses and as a habitat preserve.” (FPMP p.25)

“However, the overall policy direction for passive, natural preservation and restoration is to guide all detail development decisions.” (FPMP p.28)

The FPMP talks about the uniqueness of Fairview Park’s vernal pools.

It also talks about how some public use can degrade habitats which would go against the overall goal of the city and community to restore and protect habitat. The FPMP states it clearly:

“The southern area has potential habitat but is adjacent to school and residential areas and is highly disturbed by pedestrian and model airplane activity. (FPMP p. 154)

It is evident to experts AND the majority of the community that glider planes discourage wildlife and degrade habitat. FPA asks that you stop the destruction since HSS already has 5 other places to fly outside of Fairview Park.

Kim Hendricks
Fairview Park Alliance – President

1 From: Barry Nerhus <[email protected]> Date: February 24, 2023 at 11:50:33 AM PST
To: "DALTON, KELLY M." <[email protected]>
Subject: Response to the Fly Field Impacts to Fairview Park Hey Kelly,
In response to your question of how the fly field directly and indirectly impacts natural resources and wildlife, I have a few responses and observations, over the past 14 years that I have been working at Fairview Park.

The actual fly field itself was graded in an area that contains the largest remaining vernal pool complex in coastal southern California. The grading activity directly impacts the watershed of the vernal pools, a critical component for the vernal pool ecosystem. This vernal pool ecosystem and surrounding grassland harbors the following species that are of great conservation concern that should be considered:

Riverside Fairy Shrimp - Federally-listed under the Endangered Species Act San Diego Fairy Shrimp - Federally-listed under the Endangered Species Act Orcutt's Grass - Federally-listed under the Endangered Species Act San Diego Button Celery - Federally-listed under the Endangered Species Act Mud Nama - Rare Plant with only a few populations remaining in Orange County Little Mousetail - Rare Plant and the only population documented in Orange County Vernal Barley - Rare Plant
Prostrate Navarretia - Rare Plant, may be the largest population in Orange County Small-flowered microseris - Rare Plant
Burrowing Owl - Species of Special Concern and severely declining White-tailed Kite - California Fully Protected Species and also severely declining Northern Harrier - Species of Special Concern
California Gnatcatcher - Federally-listed under the Endangered Species Act There are other important native wildlife and habitats that I can include, but this list I hope gets the point. When you have these many species together, it shows how rare and important the area is to biodiversity and conservation, which is the reason for efforts such as Measure AA, updating the Master Plan, community-based habitat restoration events, community led steering committees, hiring experts to consult and manage the rare species, and also the Fairview Park administrator position to coordinate all of these activities. This is all in the direction of 10,000s of hours of effort and many millions of dollars going to planning, maintaining, restoring and conserving the Park.

The fly field has directly affected the vernal pool watershed. Indirectly, there have been plane crashes observed on a weekly basis by R/C aircraft pilots. It makes sense, especially if you are learning. I believe the Soaring Society states that they train people, which would increase the risk of crashing a plane. I've observed these crashes and people retrieving their planes from vernal pools, the bluff area, and also in the coastal sage scrub. These impacts on a weekly basis pose a ATTACHMENT 3
2 threat to degrading these rare ecosystems. We already know that the bluff is eroding and needs restoration, so this is only an increased impact to the bluff. These impacts only take from the vision of managing the park for the natural resources.

Moreover, the noise that many of the high performance R/C aircraft produce is over the recommended decibel level for nesting birds (60 Db). USFWS biologist, Christine Medak, concurred with me that the noise is over the limit for the federally-listed California gnatcatcher that nests in the coastal sage scrub areas. The noise level is an indirect effect that causes impact to birds. Noise typically can change behavior in bird calls. This could be considered 'take' under the Endangered Species Act, if the California gnatcatcher is harassed by this noise.

One basic study was conducted for R/C Planes impacting avian activity. This was through our ICRE AP Environmental Science Field Study Program. Our students documented the presence and abundance of birds when R/C planes were present and also when they were absent. Birds were counted and categorized by size (since the students didn't know all the species). The study concluded that when R/C Planes were present or absent birds of prey and large birds were present. However, small birds were absent when planes were flying. This can be interpreted that the active fly field is disrupting the behavior of many small birds, which is a direct impact.

In summary, I believe the fly field impacts Fairview Park's natural resources by changing the watershed of the vernal pools, trespassing into sensitive habitat and off trail, creating loud noise above the acceptable limit for the federally-listed California gnatcatcher, and impacting general avian behavior.

As an airplane pilot, I have a passion for aviation and the continued growth of the aviation community (even as a tool for conservation). However, I do not think the recreational activities at the fly field is a part of the mission of managing Fairview Park for the natural resources and recovery of endangered species.

Let me know if you want me to clarify anything.

Thanks!
--
Barry Nerhus
President/Principal Ecologist
Endemic Environmental Services, Inc.
(714) 393-6249
www.endemicenvironmental.net
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report any suspicious activities to the Information Technology Department.

From: Joclyn Rabbitt-Sire
To: CITY CLERK
Cc: Climate Reality Project Orange County
Subject: Agenda Item #24-286
Date: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 11:25:29 AM
Dear Costa Mesa Mayor Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Harlan, and City Council Members, I reside in Huntington Beach, one of the four founding cities of the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA). Sadly, my city council made the decision to leave OCPA, and we are now seeing the negative aftermath of that decision. I urge the Costa Mesa City Council to vote YES on the agenda item to study joining OC’s local nonprofit energy provider, at the next city council meeting this evening.

OCPA allows your city to convert to renewable energy faster, which reduces pollution, improving the health and quality of life for residents in so many ways. OCPA keeps ratepayer dollars in your community for your community. The OCPA basic rate plan is 3% lower than SCE’s, leading to savings on energy bills. Ratepayers can’t currently access SCE’s renewable energy plan, because it is oversubscribed. With OCPA, your residents and businesses would finally have the choice to access 100% renewable energy each month, especially if you choose 100% renewable as our city’s default rate.

Community Choice Energy is key to meeting bold carbon-neutrality goals and a local clean- energy economy. With both global temps and utility rates rising, everyone needs energy choice and the lower basic rate that OCPA offers!
Considering all this, please move forward in the process of joining OCPA as a member city, by pursuing the study of this proposal. Thank you for your consideration of my urgent request!
Sincerely,
Joclyn Rabbitt-Sire
Resident of Huntington Beach
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report any suspicious activities to the Information Technology Department.

From: Jake Comer
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: agenda item #24-286
Date: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 9:56:24 AM
Dear Costa Mesa Mayor Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Harlan, and City Council Members, I was born and raised in Costa Mesa and have always loved this City. A few years ago I moved to the City of Orange and founded the Orange Sustainability Group to work alongside the City of Orange to promote sustainability and climate action. I look to my hometown's progress towards a more sustainable Costa Mesa as an inspiration for Orange.

However, the City will not be able to reach any climate goals and provide clean energy to its residents, my family and friends, without joining the OCPA. This is why I urge the City Council to at the very least vote YES on agenda item #24-286, to study joining the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), OC’s local nonprofit energy provider.

The OCPA basic rate generation plan is 3% lower than SCE’s, which will help Costa Mesa residents and businesses save on energy bills. SCE’s renewable energy plan is oversubscribed. OCPA would finally provide an opportunity to be able to access 100% renewable energy each month, especially if the 100% renewable is chosen as our city’s default rate.

Community Choice Energy is key to meeting bold carbon-neutrality goals and a local clean- energy economy. With both global temps and utility rates rising, we need energy choice and the lower basic rate that OCPA offers!
Considering all this, please move forward in the process of joining OCPA as a member city, by pursuing the study of this proposal. Thank you for your consideration of my urgent request!
Sincerely,
Jake Comer
Orange Sustainability Group
Costa Mesa born and raised
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report any suspicious activities to the Information Technology Department.

From: Craig Preston
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Comment on New Business, File #: 24-286, OCPA - FEASIBILITY STUDY Date: Monday, July 15, 2024 4:41:38 PM
Hello City Council,
I support a YES vote.

THANK YOU for agendizing the OCPA Feasibility Study and inviting Joe Mosca, CEO of OCPA to present.

I am aware that CCAs (Community Choice Aggregators) are becoming more popular as people learn they can have more CHOICE in the sources of their electricity. I have only had one choice right now: Southern California Edison. I asked them 2 weeks ago to move me to renewable energy and was told the program has a "waiting list", seemingly a very long one.

CCA's are doing good work all over California. In total, they have contracted for over 14,000 Megawatts of new clean energy projects for California customers, greening the entire California grid.

Sooner the better for us to have the benefits of clean, affordable, reliable electricity in Costa Mesa. Let's be a model to other cities in OC, California and the world.

Thanks again,
Craig
Craig Preston

Resident of Costa Mesa
(714) 473-2798 [email protected]
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report any suspicious activities to the Information Technology Department.

Eco Now, LLCEmail: [email protected] Phone: 714-603-7980Office Address: 209 W Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805Website:www.EcoNowCA.com Dear Costa Mesa Mayor Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Harlan, and City Council Members, As a Costa Mesa business owner, I urge the City Council to vote YES on agenda item #24- 286, to study joining the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), OC’s local nonprofit energy provider, at the next city council meeting on July 16th.

OCPA allows for electricity choice and enables our city to convert to renewable energy faster, which reduces pollution, improving the health and quality of life for our residents in so many ways. OCPA keeps our ratepayer dollars in our community for our community. The OCPA basic rate generation plan is 3% lower than SCE’s, which will help Costa Mesa residents and businesses save on energy bills. My business cannot access SCE’s renewable energy plan, because it is oversubscribed. With OCPA, my business would finally be able to access 100% renewable energy each month, especially if you choose 100% renewable as our city’s default rate.

Community Choice Energy is key to meeting bold carbon-neutrality goals and a local clean- energy economy. With both global temps and utility rates rising, we need energy choice and the lower basic rate that OCPA offers!
Considering all this, please move forward in the process of joining OCPA as a member city, by pursuing the study of this proposal. Thank you for your consideration of my urgent request! Sincerely,
Thea & Tom Pauley
2930 Bristol St, Unit A102, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
657-201-8172
[email protected]
From: Nicole ARTime
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: OCPA
Date: Sunday, July 14, 2024 10:28:17 PM
Dear Costa Mesa Mayor Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Harlan, and City Council Members, As a Costa Mesa business owner, I urge the City Council to vote YES on agenda item #24- 286, to study joining the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), OC’s local nonprofit energy provider, at the next city council meeting on July 16th.

The OCPA basic rate generation plan is 3% lower than SCE’s, which will help Costa Mesa residents and businesses save on energy bills. My business cannot access SCE’s renewable energy plan, because it is oversubscribed. With OCPA, my business would finally be able to access 100% renewable energy each month, especially if you choose 100% renewable as our city’s default rate.

Community Choice Energy is key to meeting bold carbon-neutrality goals and a local clean- energy economy. With both global temps and utility rates rising, we need energy choice and the lower basic rate that OCPA offers!
Considering all this, please move forward in the process of joining OCPA as a member city, by pursuing the study of this proposal. Thank you for your consideration of my urgent request!
Sincerely,
Nicole Peredo of ARTime BARRO
www.artimebarro.com
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report any suspicious activities to the Information Technology Department.

July16, 2024ViaEmail
CostaMesaCityCouncilCityManager Lori AnnFarrell Harrison77Fair DriveCostaMesa, [email protected]@costamesaca.gov Dear Membersof theCityCouncil andCityManager Farrell Harrison:

I haveanumber of questionsregardingNewBusinessItem#1for thisweek’sCityCouncilagenda:
● Afeasibilitystudyfor theCityof CostaMesausingSouthernCaliforniaEdison(SCE)loaddatawaspreparedbyathirdpartyconsultant in2020, backwhentheCitywasfirstconsideringOCPAmembership. Seetheprior agendaitemsupplementarymemo:http://ftp.costamesaca.gov/costamesaca/council/agenda/2020/2020-11-17/PH-2-MEMO.pdf. WhyistheCitynot engagingathirdpartyconsultant nowtorunasimilar feasibilitystudy?● TheCityof CostaMesavotedtojoinOCPAat theendof 2020, soCostaMesamembershipmust haveappearedfeasiblefromOCPA’sperspectiveasof that time.What variablessince2020mayhavechangedsuchthat CostaMesa’smembershipmaynowbeinfeasiblefromOCPA’sperspective?Inother words, what isOCPAhopingtofindinCostaMesa’smorerecent loaddata?● If thepurposeof thestudyis, inwholeor inpart, todetermineif OCPAmembershipwouldbebeneficial totheratepayersof theCityof CostaMesa, whywouldtheCityrelyonsuchastudypreparedbyitspotential counterparty(andSCEcompetitor)?● Whydoesthe“Historyof OCPA” sectionof theAgendaReport omit keydevelopmentsregardingOCPAsinceit waslast consideredbytheCityCouncil?Thefollowingdevelopmentshavebeenwell coveredinthelocal media, andI believetheyshouldhavebeenhighlightedbythereport inorder tocompletethenarrativediscussionof what hastakenplacesinceCostaMesasincereviewedOCPAmembership:○ LakeForest’sdecisiontoleaveOCPAinJuly2021;○ Theresignationof OCPA’sinaugural chief operatingofficer (andwell respectedcleanpower advocate) AntoniaCastroGrahaminDecember 2021;○ Thereleaseof theOrangeCountyGrandJuryreport “OrangeCountyPowerAuthority: ComeClean” inJune2022, whichcriticizedOCPA’sleadershipandtransparency;○ TheCountyof Orange’sdecisiontoleaveOCPAinDecember 2022;○ Thereleaseof theStateof Californiaaudit report inFebruary2023, whichfounda“pattern apatternof contractingpracticesthat werenoncompetitiveandthat reducedaccountabilitybyrepeatedlycircumventingandviolatingitsownpolicies”;○ Thefineof OCPAbytheCAPublicUtilitiesCommissionof almost $2millioninApril 2023for failingtopurchasesufficient energycontractstosupplycustomersintheSummer of 2022;○ Thefiringof CEOBrianProbolskyinApril 2023, andthesubsequent hiringof JoeMoscaasthereplacement CEO; and○ HuntingtonBeach’sdecisiontoleaveOCPAinMay2023, whichwasfinalizedasof July1, 2024. Thisomissionisespeciallyconcerninggiventhat theAgendaReport statesthat HuntingtonBeachwasoneof theinauguralmember citiesof OCPAbut doesnot goontoclarifyit hassinceleft theprogram.● GivenOCPA’sdifficult first fewyears, doestheCityhaveastrongbasistobelievethatOCPA, under theleadershipof newCEOJoeMosca, hassignificantlystrengtheneditsfinancial positionaswell asitsinternal controls?● IsthereareasontopursueOCPAmembershipnowasopposedtoalater date?I wouldnotethat, not onlyhasOCPA’sleadershiprecentlychanged, it alsohasnot yet built upsufficient cashreservestosecureaninvestment-gradecredit rating. Whilerecentfinancial reportssuggest OCPA’scashreserveisgrowing, I wouldbecurioustounderstandwhyCostaMesawouldwant tojoinOCPAbeforeit hastheabilitytosecurebondfinancingat favorablerates.● Areanyother OrangeCountycitiespresentlypursuingthe“feasibilitystudy” processwithOCPA?● Havethe“representativesof OCPA” that approachedtheCityandrecommendedpursuingthiscourseof actionindicatedthelevel of OCPAboardparticipationthat wouldbeofferedtotheCityof CostaMesaif it weretobecomeamember city? I understandthat theCitymayviewsuchdetailedanalysisandbackgroundasprematureat thispoint giventhat theCityCouncil isonlybeingaskedtoweighinonanondisclosureagreementcoveringSCEloaddata.

I wouldcontend, however, that OCPAappearstobehighlymotivatedtofindthat theCity’smembershipisfeasiblegiventhat other citieshavedecidedtoleaveOCPAandOCPA’sbusinessmodel dependsoneconomiesof scale. Therefore, giventhat OCPAisverylikelytofindthat CostaMesa’smembershipisfeasiblefromOCPA’sperspective, andthat thereislittlereasontorelyonOCPA’sanalysistodeterminefeasibilityfromtheCity’sperspective, I wouldhopethat theCityhasat least aminimumlevel of convictionregardingOCPAmembershipbeforeit wouldembarkonanyOCPA-ledfeasibilitystudyprocess.

Best,JennTanaka321BroadwayCostaMesa, CA92627
From: Tristan Miller
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Vote Yes to Study Joining OCPA #24-286
Date: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 3:41:48 PM
Dear Costa Mesa Mayor Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Harlan, and City Council Members, I work part-time and shop in Costa Mesa; I urge the City Council to vote YES on agenda item #24-286 to study joining the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), OC’s local nonprofit energy provider, at the next city council meeting on July 16th. The freedom of energy choice and renewable energy is important to our community.

The OCPA basic rate generation plan is 3% lower than SCE’s, which will help Costa Mesa residents and businesses save on energy bills. My business cannot access SCE’s renewable energy plan, because it is oversubscribed. With OCPA, my business could finally access 100% renewable energy each month, especially if you choose 100% renewable as our city’s default rate.

Thank you for your leadership and service to our community! Sincerely,
Tristan Miller
Superior Ave, Newport Beach, CA
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain CONFIDENTIAL material.

If you receive this material/information in error, please contact the sender and delete or destroy the material/information.

From: Pilar"s Wellness Collective
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Item #24-286
Date: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 1:13:53 PM
Dear Costa Mesa Mayor Stephens, Mayor Pro Tem Harlan, and City Council Members, As a Costa Mesa business owner, I urge the City Council to vote YES on agenda item #24- 286, to study joining the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), OC’s local nonprofit energy provider, at the next city council meeting on July 16th.

Community Choice Energy is key to meeting bold carbon-neutrality goals and a local clean- energy economy. With both global temps and utility rates rising, we need energy choice and the lower basic rate that OCPA offers!
Considering all this, please move forward in the process of joining OCPA as a member city, by pursuing the study of this proposal. Thank you for your consideration of my urgent request!
Sincerely,
Pilar Chandler
Pilar's Wellness Collective
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Report any suspicious activities to the Information Technology Department.

HSS Misinformation
• May 2, 2023 HSS President
claimed USFW did not think that
flying in Fairview Park was
incompatible and it was “only
city staff” that thought it was
incompatible.

FALSE

CHANGE.ORG

HSS Facebook

FPA Facebook

Handful of Hobbyists
Destroying a keystone species

Fairview Park Before Degrading

Destroying Habitat
The white glider plane landed in the
brush outside of the marked area and
HSS trampled through

The birds watched the destruction of their home
2003 Vernal Pools on West Side

Costa Mesa City CouncilJuly 16, 2024

Costa Mesa City Council
July 16, 2024