1 TERAN, STACY
From: Marisa LaPoint <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 4, 2025 11:38 PM
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: The CAT KILLER
I am extremely disappointed, actually FURIOUS, that Alejandro Oliveros was allowed to set bail. Police found too many to count dead cats in his home as well as Alejandro admitting to the killing of the cats. Had they found dead tortured people in his home would they have let him return back to the community? It is basically the same evidence ...only it wasn't people that they found and least not yet. Based on history, the most prolific serial killers start off in this very same manner. We have a serial killer in the making among us and that is TERRIFYING! You MUST speak up on our behalf and represent OUR concerns. I would like to see you apply pressure on Santa Ana city council to take action on this by removing this killer from the public and putting him behind bars so that we and our families and pets are safe.
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1 TERAN, STACY
From: W Lewis <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 11:40 AM
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: PAPL-25-0001 1687 Orange Ave Gold Flora Partners I own several properties in Costa Mesa and I oppose this cannabis store.
I own 1767 Orange Ave, 1942 Orange Ave, and 210 East 15th St and seven other properties in Costa Mesa.
Glenda Lewis
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.
Dear Councilmembers,
We’re writing to express our shared concern regarding tomorrow’s Consent Calendar Item No. 1 and, more broadly, the city’s approach to the Capital Asset Needs (CAN) Ordinance and the current budget shortfall.
Let’s not sugarcoat this—what’s being proposed here is an exemption from the CAN Ordinance, and it’s being packaged to avoid calling it what it is: an emergency exemption.
That’s not just bad policy—it’s legally questionable and sets a dangerous precedent.
We helped put CAN in place because we’ve both lived through what happens when you don’t plan for long-term infrastructure needs. The 5% annual set-aside from the General Fund was created to protect our roads, police and fire stations, public buildings— everything residents rely on every day. It was passed because we knew future councils would face pressure to divert those funds when times got tough. So we wrote in only one legal ways to pause the requirement:
You declare a fiscal emergency, as defined in Costa Mesa Municipal Code Section 2-209.2, which allows a temporary suspension when revenues crash.
But what’s happening today doesn’t follow that legal paths. Instead, the Council is trying to reframe a raid on the CAN fund as a “budget adjustment” or a technical allocation change.
That’s not honest. If you’re reaching into the savings account, just say it: you’re declaring an emergency. Because by law, that’s the only time you’re allowed to do this.
Let’s be even more direct. The city is looking at a $3.6 million shortfall next year, driven mostly by declining sales tax revenue. It’s a serious situation—but if that justifies skipping CAN, then show us the steps you’ve already taken.
What major contracts have been canceled?
Have we restructured any department operations?
What nonessential programs have been cut or frozen?
What long-term adjustments are being proposed to avoid this issue next year? As of today, the only public proposals have been eliminating already-vacant positions and delaying infrastructure projects—exactly what CAN was created to protect. That’s not leadership. That’s kicking the can down the road and undermining the very financial policy that helped stabilize Costa Mesa over the last decade.
And if the structural deficit is worse than reported, then be honest with the public and declare a true emergency. But don’t try to do this quietly, under a procedural vote, and call it something else. Residents aren’t stupid. They know when politicians are playing word games to avoid accountability.
Let’s be real: some of you are running for higher office next year. Maybe even Mayor. And you’d rather avoid the political risk of cutting popular programs or making tough financial decisions. But that’s exactly why CAN exists—to force those tough choices when leaders want to take the easy route.
If you believe this is a fiscal emergency, say it. Own it. Follow the law. But if you don’t believe it, then you have no business voting to suspend our long-term infrastructure funding.
Costa Mesa has come a long way, and we’re proud of the work we did to help get it there.
But we didn’t do it by avoiding hard decisions. We did it by facing them head-on. This Council needs to do the same.
Sincerely,
Steve Mensinger
Former Mayor, City of Costa Mesa
Jim Righeimer
Former Mayor, City of Costa Mesa