City of Costa Mesa Application for Committee Appointments 1 / 2
Q1
Full Name:
Ralph W Taboada
Q2
Indicate the name of the Committee you are interested in serving on:
Finance and Pension Advisory Committee
Q3
Indicate why you wish to serve on this Committee. Provide any experience or qualifications you may possess that you think would be beneficial to this Committee. A resume (optional) may be attached.
I was a member of both the Finance and Pension committees when they merged to form FiPAC and was Chair from April 2018 - April 2022. Even though I am a long time member I remain very proactive on the committee and want to continue giving back to the City.
My work experience provides me the accounting and budgeting knowledge to perform independent analysis, ask pertinent questions and make recommendations through FiPAC to Council/Staff. During my time as Chair I completed an analysis of Capital Projects that I reviewed with Staff. It resulted in improved and more transparent reports on Capital projects. Also, I have been the primary author of several annual budget letters to Council that contained Budget recommendations. I believe I can continue to make worthwhile contributions to FiPAC.
Q4
As a Committee member, what ideas or projects are of interest to you? FiPAC has covered many topics/issues while I was Chair and been on the committee. I continue to want to improve the forecasting process and transparency of the Budget.
I also want to continue to help improve Capital management since Capital spending amounts to millions of dollars annually. It was recently mentioned that the online feature "Open budget" on the City's website needs to be improved. This is something FiPAC can assist Staff with. Pension expense remains an issue even with the recent reduction in the City's pension liability.
Q5
Optional Resume:
Respondent skipped this question
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ATTACHMENT 4
City of Costa Mesa Application for Committee Appointments 1 / 2
Q1
Full Name:
Lydia Joy Chavez
Q2
Indicate the name of the Committee you are interested in serving on:
Finance and Pension Advisory Committee
Q3
Indicate why you wish to serve on this Committee. Provide any experience or qualifications you may possess that you think would be beneficial to this Committee. A resume (optional) may be attached.
I would like to serve on this committee because I believe that a big part of every successful, well-functioning city has resources allocated appropriately and city employees that feel taken care of.
In my professional career, I have worked with people who have a variety of backgrounds, ranging from labor unions to private clients to elected officials at federal, state, and local levels. With this experience, I understand how handling budgets and pensions affect their sectors.
I live in Costa Mesa and often work within city limits, which has opened my eyes, in a positive manner, to how the city operates in regards to finance and pensions, piquing my interest in the committee.
Q4
As a Committee member, what ideas or projects are of interest to you? I want to find the important balance between fair employee compensation and good fiscal stewardship.
Q5
Optional Resume:
Respondent skipped this question
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Started: Wednesday, March 01, 2023 9:27:43 PM
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 01, 2023 9:52:40 PM Time Spent: 00:24:57
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City of Costa Mesa Application for Committee Appointments 1 / 2
Q1
Full Name:
Boris Gresely
Q2
Indicate the name of the Committee you are interested in serving on:
Finance and Pension Advisory Committee
Q3
Indicate why you wish to serve on this Committee. Provide any experience or qualifications you may possess that you think would be beneficial to this Committee. A resume (optional) may be attached.
Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers,
It would be a great privilege to remain a member of the Finance and Pension Committee and continue making a positive impact on the City's financial management and pension planning. Serving on this committee has given me the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the City's finances and the opportunity to opine on the City's financial future. Moving forward, the committee is undertaking several interesting projects I would like to explore and participate in - if given the chance.
Thank you,
Boris
Q4
As a Committee member, what ideas or projects are of interest to you? I am interested in helping the Finance Department compare & contrast fee schedules from neighboring cities and look at opportunities to increase revenue sources for the City.
Q5
Optional Resume:
Respondent skipped this question
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Started: Wednesday, March 01, 2023 3:04:17 PM
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 01, 2023 3:41:04 PM Time Spent: 00:36:47
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City of Costa Mesa Application for Committee Appointments 1 / 2
Q1
Full Name:
Randall Hoppe
Q2
Indicate the name of the Committee you are interested in serving on:
Animal Services Committee ,
Active Transportation Committee ,
Fairview Park Steering Committee ,
Finance and Pension Advisory Committee ,
Historical Preservation Committee ,
Housing and Public Service Grants Committee
Q3
Indicate why you wish to serve on this Committee. Provide any experience or qualifications you may possess that you think would be beneficial to this Committee. A resume (optional) may be attached.
As a mid 30's individual and resident of Costa Mesa I think it is important to have additional representation of the community in local government. I have been getting more and more interested in the policies that affect myself and the community in which I reside.
Having additional insight and potential input into the local community sounds like a good way to be involved and make a difference in the area in which I live.
Q4
As a Committee member, what ideas or projects are of interest to you? I wouldnt say that there is a particular area in which I am interested. I am interested in an over arching view of the entire process. To understand better how the policy works and the process in which it happens. # 19
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Started: Friday, March 03, 2023 9:18:13 AM
Last Modified: Friday, March 03, 2023 9:22:15 AM Time Spent: 00:04:01
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City of Costa Mesa Application for Committee Appointments 1 / 2
Q1
Full Name:
Wendy Brooks Leece
Q2
Indicate the name of the Committee you are interested in serving on:
Finance and Pension Advisory Committee
Q3
Indicate why you wish to serve on this Committee. Provide any experience or qualifications you may possess that you think would be beneficial to this Committee. A resume (optional) may be attached.
I would like to continue my service on FIPAC. As a 50 year resident of Costa Mesa and former councilwoman, I look forward to adding my "2 cents" to FIPAC discussions and recommendations to the City Council.
Q4
As a Committee member, what ideas or projects are of interest to you? I would like to continue my participation on the Revenue Sub Committee and the Pension and Investments Sub Committee.
Q5
Optional Resume:
Respondent skipped this question
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Started: Wednesday, March 08, 2023 10:15:50 AM
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 08, 2023 11:01:24 AM Time Spent: 00:45:34
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City of Costa Mesa Application for Committee Appointments 1 / 2
Q1
Full Name:
Tom Arnold
Q2
Indicate the name of the Committee you are interested in serving on:
Finance and Pension Advisory Committee
Q3
Indicate why you wish to serve on this Committee. Provide any experience or qualifications you may possess that you think would be beneficial to this Committee. A resume (optional) may be attached.
I've been a member of the Finance and Pension Advisory Committee since 2019 and currently serving as the chairperson. I facilitated the development of our subcommittees in order to improve our ability to make quality recommendations to the City Council.
As the Interim Fire Chief for the City of Costa Mesa Fire Department, I developed and managed budgets during financially challenging times. I collaborated with stakeholders and facilitated a restructuring of the Fire Department. The process resulted in reduced costs, increased revenues, and added emergency response units.
During my 15 years as the Deputy Fire Chief of the Newport Beach Fire Department, I managed multi-million dollar budgets during times of expansion and reduction. These experiences inform my perspective on efficient and effective government.
Q4
As a Committee member, what ideas or projects are of interest to you? Fiscally sound policy decisions are based on accurate and timely information. In addition to the Committee's fundamental scope to review, evaluate, advise, and recommend, I would take advantage of evolving system developments that provide user-friendly access to financial information while reducing the staff time needed to acquire it.
We are fortunate to have very experienced and talented committee members who have volunteered to serve on newly formed subcommittees. I will work with them to develop impactful recommendations for financial policies, including revenue opportunities and expense efficiencies.
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Started: Thursday, February 23, 2023 12:41:35 PM Last Modified: Thursday, February 23, 2023 1:37:01 PM Time Spent: 00:55:25
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City of Costa Mesa Application for Committee Appointments 1 / 2
Q1
Full Name:
Lisa L Buchanan
Q2
Indicate the name of the Committee you are interested in serving on:
Finance and Pension Advisory Committee
Q3
Indicate why you wish to serve on this Committee. Provide any experience or qualifications you may possess that you think would be beneficial to this Committee. A resume (optional) may be attached.
Have previously served and am currently Vice Chair. I am looking to continue my commitment.
Q4
As a Committee member, what ideas or projects are of interest to you? Currently sitting on the sub-committee responsible for City expenses. I am hoping to continue to advocate for City needs Q5
Optional Resume:
Respondent skipped this question
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Started: Friday, February 24, 2023 9:00:36 AM
Last Modified: Friday, February 24, 2023 9:04:26 AM Time Spent: 00:03:49
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