Costa Mesa City Council Meeting August 4, 2026

The City of Costa Mesa held a regular City Council meeting on August 4, 2026, which included extensive public commentary primarily focused on the controversial Flock Safety license plate reader (ALPR) contract. Despite significant public opposition and concerns about privacy, data security, and compliance with California Senate Bill 34, the council had previously voted to continue the contract with Flock, prompting calls for contract termination and ethical governance. The council acknowledged these concerns and indicated further discussion on the matter in upcoming meetings. Additionally, the council approved several procurement and capital improvement items, including awarding a $237,600 contract to SNH Civil Works for an on-call sidewalk repair project funded by gas tax and Measure M2, and approving a nearly $3 million contract with Econalyte Systems for a federally funded signal modernization project aimed at systemic safety improvements. The council also approved amendments to professional services agreements for construction management related to the Adams Avenue bicycle facility project. Other agenda items included a zoning code update to streamline commercial use permits and a response to an Orange County grand jury report on state housing mandates, with council members emphasizing the challenges of housing development under current regulations. The meeting concluded with council members expressing support for revisiting an ethics policy for city governance.