HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-05-2024 MinutesSPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND HOUSING AUTHORITY
DECEMBER 5, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. - MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER - The Special City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Stephens
at 6:01 p.m.
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL - Led by Brendan Ford
NATIONAL ANTHEM - Led by Chara Wondercheck
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Mayor Stephens
MOMENT OF SOLEMN EXPRESSION - Led by Pastor Phil Eyskens
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Chavez, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Marr, Council
Member Harper, Mayor Pro Tem Harlan, and Mayor Stephens.
Absent: Council Member Reynolds.
PRESENT ATIONS:
Ms. Farrell Harrison, City Manager, recognized Council Member Harper and Mayor Pro Tem
Harlan for their service and presented them with City tiles and street signs.
Mayor Stephens recognized Council Member Harper and Mayor Pro Tem Harlan for their
service and presented them with keys to the City.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley recognized Council Member Harper and Mayor Pro
Tem Harlan for their service and welcomed the new Council Members.
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris recognized Council Member Harper and Mayor Pro Tem
Harlan for their service and welcomed the new Council Members.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT - Ms. Hall Barlow reported on the decision by the United States
Court pf Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Ohio House v. City of Costa Mesa and the decision
was in favor of the City.
Minutes - Special Meeting December 5, 2024 Page I of 5
PUBLIC COMMENTS - ONLY MATTERS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
Jay Humphrey, Costa Mesa, spoke on the importance of local government, thanked the City
Council Members for their service, and bid a fond farewell to Council Members Harper and
Harlan.
James Peters spoke on the election not complying with State and Federal laws, spoke on
problems with the voting machines, and on election fraud.
Speaker, spoke on adopting an ethics policy, spoke on transparency and costs being available
pertaining to court cases.
Speaker, requested the Council to not certify the election.
Joe Acosta spoke on election fraud.
Jose Toscano spoke on the election results.
Jo Ito, Concerned Women forAmerica, spoke on election fraud.
Kian Momeny spoke on the fairness of the election.
Marc Vukcevich thanked Mayor Pro Tem Harlan and Council Member Harper for their
dedication and service to the City of Costa Mesa.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Marr spoke on the election and thanked Mayor Pro Tem Harlan and Council
Member Harper for their service.
Council Member Chavez spoke on democracy, congratulated the incoming Council Members,
and thanked Mayor Pro Tem Harlan and Council Member Harper for their service.
Council Member Gameros expressed thankfulness for opportunities and for representing the
community, thanked his wife, family, staff, and constituents, and looks forward to serving the
community.
Council Member Harper thanked staff, thanked constituents for speaking and being engaged,
spoke on the election results, spoke on voting on various issues, spoke on his service, and
congratulated Mike Buley and Jeff Pettis for their election.
Mayor Pro Tem Harlan welcomed Mike Buley and Jeff Pettis to the City Council, spoke on his
campaign, thanked staff, spoke in appreciation of his colleagues, spoke on his service, and
congratulated Council Member Gameros and Mayor Stephens on their re-election.
Mayor Stephens thanked staff, spoke on Snoopy House, the Ohio House case, and City
Council working together.
Minutes - Special Meeting December 5, 2024 Page 2 of 5
SPECIAL ITEM:
CERTIFICATION OF GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND CITY COUNCIL
REORGANIZATION
Presentation by Ms. Green, City Clerk.
MOVED/SECOND: Mayor Stephens/Council Member Chavez
MOTION: Approve staff recommendation.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Chavez, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Harper,
Council Member Marr, Mayor Pro Tem Harlan, and Mayor Stephens.
Nays: None.
Absent: Council Member Reynolds.
Abstain: None.
Motion carried: 6-0
ACTION:
1. City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-52 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. Ms. Green, City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the newly-elected Mayor
Stephens and City Council Members Buley and Pettis.
City Council recessed into a break at 7:44 p.m.
City Council reconvened at 7:53 p.m.
Council Member Buley spoke on looking
thanked his wife, son, and two daughters
Zich, and Adam Ereth, congratulated Jeff
and thanked various individuals for their
support.
forward to working together as a council,
for their support, thanked Don Harper, Jon
Pettis, spoke on serving on the City Council
assistance with the campaign and for their
Council Member Gameros congratulated Jeff Pettis and Mike Buley, spoke on receiving
support from his family, and spoke on receiving support from city staff.
Council Member Pettis thanked his wife and family for their support, expressed
appreciation to Jeff Harlan for his eight years of service, spoke on reasons for running
for council, spoke on serving the community, and the people are part of the process,
and spoke on being responsive and transparent.
Mayor Stephens thanked his wife and family for their support, thanked various
individuals for their support on his campaign, congratulated Council Members Buley,
Pettis, and Gameros, thanked his law firm FBFK, and spoke on Costa Mesa being the
best city.
Minutes - Special Meeting December 5, 2024 Page 3 of 5
MOVED/SECOND: Mayor Stephens/Council Member Gameros
MOTION: Appoint Council Member Chavez as Mayor Pro Tem.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Marr,
Council Member Pettis, Mayor Pro Tem Chavez, and Mayor'Stephens.
Nays: None.
Absent: Council Member Reynolds.
Abstain: None.
Motion carried: 6-0
ACTION:
3. City Council selected Council Member Chavez as Mayor Pro Tem.
ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m.
Minutes - Special Meeting December 5, 2024 Page 4 of 5
Minutes adopted on this 21sf day of January, 2025.
ATTEST:
Minutes - Special Meeting December 5, 2024 Page 5 of 5