Council: Put fair use on ballot

The Costa Mesa City Council sent a clear message to the state during its Tuesday meeting: It will do everything in its power to keep the Orange County Fairgrounds as a fair and exposition center.

City Atty. Kimberly Hall Barlow told the council during an oral presentation that the city can place the issue on the ballot as long as the language on the ballot is consistent with the city’s general plan for the property.

Officials voted unanimously to entertain all options to place the issue of land use on the June ballot.

Councilman Gary Monahan reiterated the council’s desire to maintain the fairgrounds’ current use, adding that this decision would place the fate of the fairground in the hands of the people and restrain future council members from amending it without their vote.

At least half a dozen people thanked the council for its efforts to keep the fairgrounds from being developed.

Resident and blogger Martin Millard said he’s supportive of the fair remaining in Costa Mesa, but warned that the “center of gravity” is moving to south county and that the fair might not remain where it is today. Millard added the city can not bully the state into doing anything.

The council must decide whether to put the issue on the ballot by Feb. 16. A ballot initiative would cost the city $112,267 to $136,794.

Mayor Allan Mansoor said the money would be worthwhile. Earlier during a closed-session meeting, the council discussed the options of buying the fairgrounds, but no official reports were made after the meeting.

Last week, the Orange County Board of Supervisors announced that it was forming an ad hoc committee to look into a county purchase of the fairgrounds.

The state has put the 150-acre fairgrounds up for sale as part of a plan to sell high-valued state-owned properties to help plug a deficit in the California budget.

Although seven state-owned properties were proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the O.C. Fairgrounds is the only one officially up for sale.

The deadline for bids is Jan. 8.