Inside CITY HALL

-- Compiled by Jennifer Kho

WHAT HAPPENED

The City Council on Monday voted to have a public hearing to consider

having residents vote on whether the city should change the shape of its

government.Currently, the council has five members, each elected by the

majority vote of all the city’s voters. In turn, the council members

appoint the mayor every year.

If the council decides to put the measures on the ballot, citizens

will decide whether to have a mayor directly elected by the voters,

whether to add two members to the council and whether to have the council

broken up into districts.

WHAT IT MEANS

Although the issue was on the agenda for discussion Monday, the

council voted to have a public hearing to gather more input from

residents.

Councilman Chris Steel said he thinks having districts and a directly

elected mayor will make the council more reflective of the city’s

population.

Councilman Gary Monahan, who also is in favor of a directly elected

mayor, said he would like to put the issues on the ballot to give voters

a chance to decide for themselves.

Councilwoman Karen Robinson said she wants to hear more public comment

before making up her mind.

Mayor Libby Cowan and Councilwoman Linda Dixon said that they have not

seen any evidence that city residents want a new type of government and

that the estimated cost to put the issue on the ballot is not worth it.

The estimated cost, according to the staff report, is $4,179.

WHAT THEY SAID

“I think this is very expensive for something that I have yet to find

someone interested in. [The staff report] says very clearly that if the

residents of Costa Mesa are interested in any of these things, they can

submit a petition and get it on the ballot. I don’t see that and I don’t

see anyone here tonight.”

-- Councilwoman Linda Dixon

VOTE: 3-2 to approve, Cowan and Dixon dissenting

WHAT HAPPENED

The council directed city staff to recruit candidates for the Planning

Commission vacancy left by former commissioner Katie Wilson, who resigned

last month.

WHAT IT MEANS

Staff also will recommend a procedure for the council to appoint new

commissioners at the City Council study session Monday.

After several failed attempts at finding a new way to appoint

commissioners in December, when former commissioner Chris Fewel resigned,

the council in February selected them in a messy process that left some

candidates feeling insulted or embarrassed.

The study session is an attempt to fill the position while avoiding

that problem.

VOTE: 5-0 to approve

FYI:

WHAT: Next regular Costa Mesa City Council meeting

WHERE: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. July 16

INFORMATION: (714) 754-5223