John’s Record

Voted for facial coverings ordinance in April 2020 before County or State mask mandate.
Successfully sued the Federal and State governments to prevent Diamond Princess COVID-19 patients from coming to Fairview Developmental Center in February 2020.
Prevailed in federal court jury trial challenging our sober living home ordinances as well as several other federal court cases regarding sober living homes.
Supported hiring Orange County's top lawyers to manage sober living home litigation and provide advice for council resulting in verdict favoring the City of Costa Mesa and determining the City's ordinance to be lawful. Costa Mesa is the first city to win at trial.
Successfully challenged state permit for needle exchange in court.
Initiated Coyote Awareness Month and revised the Coyote Management Plan.
Voted for establishment of homeless shelter, substantially reducing homelessness. Approximately 136 individuals have been permanently housed since the shelter opened.
2018 Chairman of ACC-OC Homelessness Task Force.
Traveled to San Antonio to explore solutions to homelessness and mental illness.

Supported de-escalation for Police Department and implicit bias training for all City employees.
Restored police officer staffing by approximately 20%.
Vehicle and body cameras and new vehicles purchased for Police Department.
Supported Police Chief’s efforts to restore special units.
Voted to purchase a mobile command unit & built security wall around police station
Crime has decreased since 2016 per FBI statistics.
Supported restoration of Fire department staffing at Station 6.
Established Fire Department hospital transport system, generating $3.5 million annual revenue.

Council liaison to Finance and Pension Advisory Committee.
Voted for reasonable Collective Bargaining Agreements that provide compensation to our City employees that allows for recruitment and retention (such as increased health care benefits to first responders) while negotiating contributions by our employees to their own pensions that are among the highest of any employees in California.
Voted to bring the Los Angeles Chargers headquarters and annual training camp to Costa Mesa.
Served on ad hoc committee regarding the redevelopment of Fairview Developmental Center.
Supported Education First development of the TBN site.
Served on ad hoc committee to resolve Costa Mesa Motor Inn lawsuits and obtain affordable housing units.

Member of reStore Costa Mesa Recovery Team (commercial office and youth sports subcommittees).
Supported program to expand outdoor seating in restaurants in response to COVID-19.
Supported $1.7 million small business grant program in response to COVID-19.
Held Town Hall on Small Business Administration aid (PPP and Emergency Loans) early in COVID-19 Crisis.
Supported residential and commercial eviction moratorium in response to COVID-19.
Served on ad hoc committee to re-open golf courses safely.

Initiated a restructuring of the City’s animal care function to a no-kill shelter with foster/adoption service and a volunteer program.
Served as the council liaison to the newly-formed resident Animal Services Committee, which oversees animal care services and shelter.
Initiated and executed two Independence Day celebrations in 2017 and 2019 for which the City received Congressional recognition.
Co-founded the Costa Mesa Early Childhood Coalition to improve early childhood development.
Served as council liaison to other local agencies (Sanitary District, Mesa Water and NMUSD).
Served as liaison to the OC Fair & Events Center.
Represented Costa Mesa on the Transportation Corridor Agency Board (Toll Roads).

Supported a ban on Round Up on City property.
Supported exploring Community Choice Energy option.
Voted to hire Sustainability and Energy Manager.
Voted for Active Transportation Plan.
As liaison to the Traffic Impact Fee Committee, supported increased funding to Active Transportation.
Mandated compostable materials at City facilities.
Costa Mesa became a “Tree City” in 2020.

Supported the Lion’s Park Project (Donald Dungan Library, Norma Hertzog Community Center and playground).
Supported medians on Placentia, Bristol and Harbor (Wilson to 19th Street).
Supported traffic calming on 19th street
During term, City paved and repaired hundreds of miles of streets, sidewalks and alleys earning the second highest pavement condition rating in Orange County.
Supported implementation of Information Technology master plan to improve our IT across the City.