CITY OF COSTA MESA
Agenda Report
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
File #: 24-424 Meeting Date: 12/5/2024
TITLE:
CERTIFICATION OF GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE/CITY CLERK DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: BRENDA GREEN, CITY CLERK
CONTACT INFORMATION: BRENDA GREEN, CITY CLERK, (714) 754-5221 RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2024-xx to be read by title only and further reading waived: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa California, reciting the facts of the General Municipal election held on November 5, 2024; declaring the results and such other matters as provided by law.
2. Oath of Office to be administered to the newly-elected Mayor and City Council Members.
3. Selection of the Mayor Pro Tem.
BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Costa Mesa Municipal Code Section 2-14, the City’sgeneral municipal election was held on November 5, 2024, concurrent with the statewide election. The purpose of the election was to elect a Mayor to a two-year term, and three members of the City Council to a four-year term, from districts one, two, and six.
The election was consolidated with the Orange County Registrar of Voters. The results of the November 5, 2024 election have been certified and the certification of the results and Statement of Votes are attached to the resolution as “Exhibit A”.
ANALYSIS:
The certified results of the election are considered final and are now forwarded to the City Council for approval. The number of votes counted for each candidate was:
File #: 24-424 Meeting Date: 12/5/2024
Total
Mayor 43,756 Stephens (23,236) Peters (20,520)
District 1 8,955 Buley (4,849) Ereth (4,106)
District 2 5,463 Gameros (5,463)
District 6 8,672 Pettis (4,377) Harlan (4,295) The results of the election indicate that the four (4) candidates having received the most votes are:
John Stephens for the office of Mayor, Mike Buley for the office of Council Member (District One), Loren Gameros for the office of Council Member (District Two), and Jeff Pettis for the office of Council Member (District Six).
ALTERNATIVES:
No alternatives have been considered, as it is a State Code requirement that the results be certified by the City Council.
FISCAL REVIEW:
No fiscal review was required for the declaration of results, however, the City is required to reimburse the County of Orange for costs related to the City’s General Municipal Election. The estimated amount of $140,000 is currently budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 General Fund (101) in the City Manager’s Department.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed the resolution and approved it as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item is administrative in nature.
CONCLUSION:
The election was held and conducted as required by law and the results have been determined. The City Clerk requests that the City Council adopt Resolution 2024-xx certifying the results of the election, followed by the oath of office to the newly elected Mayor and City Council Members, and selection of the Mayor Pro Tem.