Happy Holidays from the CMABS Team!
Hey everyone!
Thanks to all of those who made it to our December meeting! We couldn’t do it without you and love to brainstorm in larger groups. We reviewed the City’s progress on our 2024 New Year’s resolutions that we had sent at the beginning of the year and thought about we could challenge the City on in 2025. Additionally, we discussed what CMABS could do in 2025. Here are some themes:
CMABS should be more intentional about being a resource for and bringing in parts of the community that are underrepresented in our activities, including translating our material into Spanish when possible.
It would be good at some point to write down something resembling a charter for CMABS to clarify our mission, goals, and approach.
We should have monthly walk audits. We could rotate leaders who would plan and lead the walk, then present 3-minute slideshows at council meetings.
We need to think about how to be more present and helpful at walk and bike to school days (floats!?).
CMABS should be ready to be present in discussions on changes to Costa Mesa’s zoning code. From parking requirements to the way new developments frame and engage the streets they’re on, we should be making sure that as land redevelops, our streets are getting better.
We should keep brainstorming on what a bike co-op might look like.
If any of this sounds like something that you would like to discuss or get involved with, by all means–join us on Slack! Reply to this email and we’ll send you an invite.
Join Lillördag - Costa Mesa’s weekly social bike ride!
When? Every Wednesday Night
6:15pm meet up
6:30pm ride begins
Where? Lions Park: meet by the bathrooms off 18th street
What? Casual/Party pace bike ride, 10-15 mile local ride
🚨Bring lights! 🚨
Apply for the Planning Commission, the Arts Commission and the Parks and Community Services Commission!
Want to really get involved in your city’s inner workings? Consider applying for the city commissions, each of which will have four(!) open seats. While backgrounds in planning, arts and parks, respectively, might be helpful, there are NO requirements or prerequisites to apply other than being over 18 years old and a Costa Mesa resident. If you can spare the time we STRONGLY encourage you to throw your hat in the ring. You can apply here - deadline is 5:00pm on Friday, January 10, 2025!
And if you have questions, two of our board members, Russell Toler and David Martinez, are current planning commissioners. Feel free to reach out to them!
City Council, OCTA return in January
The City Council is in a bit of a break. It is expected to resume at 6:00pm on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
And if you’d like to catch the next OCTA board meeting - now complete with video, thanks in large part to the activism of our own David Martinez! - it is scheduled for 9:00am on Monday, January 13, 2025.
That’s all for now. Have a great week!
