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At a glance: Costa Mesa council votes — consent calendar, continuances, ambulance extension and alley award
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Summary
The City Council approved the consent calendar and multiple agenda items April 21: it continued a planning appeal to June 16 and a drainage ordinance to May 5, extended the ambulance services contract with Falk Mobile Health through 2028 (7–0), and awarded the 2025–26 alley rehabilitation contract to Calbond (6–1).
The Costa Mesa City Council took several formal actions on April 21, 2026. Key outcomes:
• Consent calendar: Approved in one vote (motion carried 7–0).
• Public hearing continuance (Appeal of Planning Commission decision — sober living home at 115 East Wilson Street): Council moved to continue the hearing to June 16, 2026 at the applicant’s request (motion carried 7–0).
• Drainage ordinance (Chapter 3, Title 15): Staff presented amendments updating storm‑drain impact fees and administrative procedures. During review the city attorney discovered a drafting error in the appeals language; the council voted to continue the item to the May 5 meeting to correct the ordinance language (motion carried 7–0).
• Ambulance services contract (Amendment No. 3 — Falk Mobile Health Corporation): Interim Fire Chief Pyle recommended exercising two 1‑year extensions to extend the professional services agreement through July 31, 2028. Staff said the annual PO amount is $2,510,000 with a 10% contingency available; the council approved the extension 7–0.
• 2025–26 Citywide Alley Rehabilitation Project: Staff recommended awarding the construction contract to Calbond (apparent low responsive bidder after a nonresponsive low bid) for $1,131,951 plus 10% contingency; the council approved the award 6–1, with Councilmember Arliss Reynolds casting the lone no vote while urging incorporation of permeable/green‑alley design elements in future work.
Why it matters: The ambulance contract extension locks in current pricing and continuity of emergency medical services through 2028; the alley award advances a long‑running capital program to replace asphalt alleys with concrete, while debate over permeability highlighted a tradeoff between durable pavement and stormwater impacts. The drainage ordinance postponement will allow staff to correct appeal language before adoption.
Next steps: The TNR ordinance and several consent items move forward as directed; staff will return on the drainage ordinance after corrections. The ambulance contract and alley construction will proceed under staff direction per the approved motions.
