From: Craig Ritter
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: City manager
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 9:47:13 AM
Firing a city manager with “no cause “? Assuming severance and other related costs? There had better be some concrete reasons for doing so.
Craig Ritter
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From: Laurel Ritter
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: City Manager’s firing
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 9:46:53 AM
To Costa Mesa city council,
It was with confusion and skepticism that I read about the firing of Costa Mesa’s city manager, Lori Ann Farrell Harrison. From all accounts and quotes from council members, she has been a stellar manager of the city’s budget: leaving a $60 million surplus and successfully steering the city through Covid.
My questions for the council are:
1). Why did mayor Johnny Stephens abstain?
2). Were the “employee evaluations” based on performance or politics? In this MAGA world, are there folks who are trying to influence our city council with that agenda? On that last point, I would like to add that one thing most Costa Mesans don’t want is to end up like Huntington Beach ~ mired in conflict over libraries and basic civil rights.
Costa Mesa has prospered under the guidance of City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison and hopefully the council will proceed in finding someone who will follow in her footsteps leading to the pursuit of financial excellence, inclusivity and fair representation of all citizens of Costa Mesa.
Sincerely,
Laurel Ritter
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From: OCHOA, ALISA
To: CITY CLERK
Subject: Arts & Culture Master Plan
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 11:42:49 AM
Dear Mayor Stephens and Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my support for developing a new Arts and Culture Master Plan for Costa Mesa. As you know, we are approaching the final year of the current Council-approved plan (2021), which has effectively guided our cultural initiatives, set clear goals, and amplified the diverse voices of our great community. To build on this momentum and fully embrace Costa Mesa’s identity as the City of the Arts, it is vital that we recommit through a thoughtfully updated master plan—one that matches the expertise, integrity, and public trust established by the previous plan.
Thank you for your continued leadership and support of the arts in Costa Mesa.
Sincerely,
Alisa Ochoa
Chair, Arts Commission
From: Patrick Brien
To: CITY CLERK
Cc: GARNER, LAURETTE
Subject: Public comment on budget hearing
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 1:46:51 PM
I know this is late, but I’m hoping that you will accept it.
My name is Patrick Brien and I am the vice president and chief operating officer of Arts Orange County. Costa Mesa is known as the city of the arts for a reason. The arts are a tremendous source of pride, not only for those who live in work in Costa Mesa, but for everyone in Orange County and, indeed, Southern California. Not only is it a source of pride, however, It is a significant economic driver that infuses tax dollars into the city’s budget, as well as income into local businesses. The City Council previously had made a decision to actively strategize its approach to managing its arts and cultural assets. As a result, Costa Mesa has strengthened its identity and its resources. Now is the time to examine the existing plan and see what has worked and what needs to be reimagined. A lot has happened in the last few years. A plan that was effective when this one was done may not have the same impact moving forward. I would encourage the Mayor and City Council to consider investing in a refresh of the Costa Mesa arts plan. I believe that it is a critical tool for you as city leaders and for the arts commission. Thank you so much for your time.
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