History

In the 1930’s and early 1940’s, prior to the incorporation of the City of Costa Mesa in 1953, Costa Mesa community members were disposing their trash in a landfill owned and operated by the City of Newport Beach. As the landfill began nearing capacity, the City allowed only its residents to utilize the dump site. On June 22, 1943, a group of concerned community members filed a petition with the Orange County Board of Supervisors to form the Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) under the provisions of the California’s Health and Safety Code.
The Board of Supervisors appointed J.A. Woolley as the registered civil engineer to draft the proposed boundaries of the District. On December 21, 1943, the Board of Supervisors approved the District’s boundaries and ordered special elections to be held on February 8, 1944 to officially determine the formation of the District and for the election of a five-member Board of Directors to govern the District. The proposition to create the District passed with over 76% of the votes in favor of the new district. On February 11, 1944, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution that officially formalized the District. The new Board of Directors then appointed Charles W. Tewinkle as their first Board President. Tewinkle was also the first Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa.
