CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
CITY OF COSTA MESA
INTER OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: LORI ANN FARRELL HARRISON, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MAY 6, 2025
SUBJECT: CURRENT PROJECTS
City Manager’s Office
Administration • Land Acquisition of 778 Shalimar and relocation plan of existing tenants
• Preparing legislative priorities and monitoring the ongoing federal changes
• Coordinate with CalOES and DGS to monitor FDC site
development
• Development of Legislative Platform
• Tracking of Legislative and bill recommendation process • Prepared for the State of the City
Constituent
Services
• Constituent case management addressing community
concerns and needs
• Outreach and engagement efforts, including community
meetings, resource fairs, and special events
• Managing constituents along South Coast Drive regarding their wall
• Developed of outreach and communication plans for various departments
• Support City Council requests, research and analysis of initiatives impacting the community
• Preparation of City Council recognitions to members of the community, local organizations, and special causes
Communications
& Marketing
• Maintained City website and developed new landing pages for various departments.
• Expanding social media and marketing campaigns
• Enhancing recruitment collateral and advertisement on social media
• Exploring Spanish capability for 311 Application
• Development of a citywide style guide.
Sustainability • Planned and organized annual Earth Day event. • Working with OCPA to consider the Community Choice
Energy program
ATTACHMENT 9
City Clerk’s Office
• Translation services provided for Council meetings (live), Council Agenda, and Zoom
• Exploring Spanish capability on Youtube channel
• Update of City Council Handbook
Human Resources
• Implemented Police recruitment hiring incentive and referral program –
• Implemented Dispatch recruitment, hiring incentive and referral program
• Negotiated retention incentives for Dispatchers
• Enhanced and expanded internship programs and
partnerships with local higher education institutions
• Continue to coordinate mandated workplace trainings for all City employees
• Filled key vacancies:
o Executive Assistant to the City Council
o Economic Development Services Director
o Various positions in Finance’s Budget Division
o Transportation Services Manager
• Recruiting for key vacancies
o Planning & Sustainable Development Manager
o Community Improvement Manager
• Prepare for and enter into negotiations with bargaining groups whose contracts expire in FY 2024
Network for Homeless Solutions
• Ramping up the BHBH services from the OCHCA grant
• Serving 100 clients at the shelter
Development Services
Building • Conducting inspections for residential projects and tenant improvements
• Rollout of InstaPermits to streamline
Code
Enforcement
• Assessing neighborhoods to have a community clean-up
• Vista Shopping Center – assisting with ensuring repairs and code compliance
Planning • One Metro West
• Hive Live
• Jamboree Housing
• Pre-approved ADU plans
• Closing out remaining cannabis applications
• Housing Element Update
• Fairview Development Center Specific Plan
• Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (Dudek)
Economic
Development
• Economic Development Strategic Plan
• Attending SBDC, Genesis Bank fairs
• Gearing up to attend ICSC
Emergency Operations Center
• EOC Assessment plan
• Emergency Preparedness – Community Meetings
responding to the fires
• Development of Emergency Preparedness Handbook
• Design and development of Emergency and Disaster
Preparedness landing page on City website
Finance Department
• Closing out FY 2023-2024 and audit
• Ongoing purchasing, accounts payable, accounts
receivable, contract management of FY 2024-25
• Preparation and budget development for FY 2025-26
• Preparation for launch of new ERP system changes
• Obtaining bond financing for Fire Station No. 2
Fire & Rescue
• Respond to inquiries regarding January 2025 Firestorm in Southern California and preparedness questions
• Begin Fire Station No. 2 reconstruction efforts
• Complete construction for Fire Station No. 4 regional training facility
Information Technology
• Close out 2020-2025 IT Strategic Plan
• Begin interviews and assessments for 2025-2030 IT
Strategic Plan
Parks & Community Services
Fairview Park • Implement Fairview Park Master Plan
• Continue restoration and cultural resource preservation • Continue wetlands restoration
• Continue discussions with stakeholders regarding allowable uses at designated areas in Fairview Park
Facilities and
Parks
• Work with NMUSD for security levels at school fields for parks usage
• Water education partnership with NMUSD, YMCA, and SOY • Work with Tennis Center Operator
• Work with Golf Course operator
Programming • Continue providing programing to youth, teens, and adults through after-school programs, contract classes, etc.
Arts & Culture • Initiate update to Arts & Culture Master Plan Senior Facility &
Programming
• Providing information about the Jamboree use of the
parking lot
• Looking into information for Senior Transportation Program
Police
Field Operations • Responding to public safety concerns Support
Services
• Move Property & Evidence into Airway facility
Animal Services • Creation of residential bee ordinance • Creation of commercial fowl ordinance
• Consideration of TNR cat ordinance
Public Works
Engineering Outreach and Design
• Costa Mesa Skate Park
• Public Safety Communications Center
• Fire Station No. 2
Construction Management
• Lions Park Café
• Fire Station No. 4 Regional Training Facility
Sustainability • Organic Waste and Recycling compliance Maintenance
Facilities
• Facilities Needs Assessment and Study
Maintenance
Equipment
• Regular maintenance of all City vehicles, including public safety apparatus
Maintenance
Roadways
• Regular maintenance of streets, alleyways, rights-of-way, street signals, etc.
Maintenance
Parks
• Regular maintenance of City parks