On Tuesday Dec. 1, the City Council ratified the results of the Nov. 3 election that reflected a historic citywide turnout.
Katrina Foley was sworn in as Costa Mesa’s directly elected Mayor for the second time, and residents now have representation in District 1 with Don Harper, District 2 with Loren Gameros and District 6 with Jeff Harlan, a Costa Mesa first.
The Mayor and new Council Members were officially seated at the Dec. 1 City Council Meeting.
“The new Council Members bring experience critical to help to restore our economy, support struggling small businesses, protect jobs, and protect the public health and safety of our community all impacted by COVID-19,” Mayor Foley said. “Our top priority now requires sharp focus on managing the impacts of COVID19 by supporting residents and small businesses, as we await therapeutics and a vaccine.”
Mayor Foley, who was elected for a second two-year term, said she looks forward to the Council’s strategic planning session in January when they can also discuss future plans related to housing, an environmentally sustainable future, and quality of life improvements.
“I’m confident our new team will work well together to navigate through these challenging times to ensure a brighter 2021 and beyond,” she said.
Foley became the city’s first directly elected Mayor in 2018. Prior to that she served as Mayor in 2016-2017, and has been on the City Council for 12 years. Foley is an employment law attorney and business owner. She graduated from Seattle University School of Law and UCLA as an English major with Women’s Studies emphasis.
For more information click Mayor Foley’s webpage here.
The new City Council also unanimously chose District 3 Council Member Andrea Marr as the Mayor Pro-Tem. The mayor and new council members join Marr, District 4 Council Member Manuel Chavez and District 5 Council Member Arlis Reynolds on the dais.
Longtime Costa Mesa resident Don Harper will represent District 1.
Since 1998, Council Member Harper has lived in Costa Mesa where he and his wife raised their two daughters. He coached youth sports and served as a member of the Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission. He brings executive-level experience as a business owner and as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Strategic Planning. His experience also includes senior management positions and as a Certified Public Accountant.
Click here for more information on Council Member Harper.
Joining the Council representing District 2 is Loren Gameros.
A 40-year resident of Costa Mesa, Gameros currently lives in the city with his wife Heather, son Kyle and daughter Presley. Council Member Gameros brings his two-decade career and experience with the Operating Engineers Training Trust Local 12 to the Costa Mesa City Council. The OETT is a nonprofit labor organization where he serves as an instructor of building inspectors.
Click here for more information on Council Member Gameros.
Council Member Jeff Harlan has been sworn to represent District 6.
Harlan is a land-use attorney and urban planner. In February 2017, Harlan was appointed unanimously by the City Council to the Costa Mesa Planning Commission, where he has served as the Vice Chair for the past two years.
During his 25-year law career, he has worked with and within government to improve communities through smart planning, design, and public policy. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and earned his law degree, focusing on environmental law, from Vermont Law School. He and his wife have two daughters.
Click here for more information on Council Member Harlan.
Departing the City Council are Mayor Pro Tem John Stephens, two-term Council Member Sandy Genis and Council Member Allan Mansoor.
“I’d like to give a welcome to our three new council members and a congratulations to Mayor Foley for winning her second term,” City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison said. “We have lots of work to do and lots to accomplish and I look forward to collaborating with you all in the years to come. Additionally, I want to thank our outgoing Council Members. Their experience and dedication to the City of Costa Mesa is very much appreciated.”