City Manager Tom Hatch presented Public Services Office Specialist Karla Gonzalez with the City Manager Leadership Award at the monthly Meet and Greet on Thursday June 21.

“Karla exemplifies the customer service that we expect from our city staff and she sets the example for all of us,” City Manager Hatch said. “I know her co-workers in the Public Services Department appreciate her positive attitude and I am grateful to have her on our team.”

Gonzalez joined the Costa Mesa’s Public Services team in December 2016 as an Office Specialist.

Her responsibilities are centered in providing excellent customer service to the public who visit Public Services. She assists in the permit process related to construction projects and private developments. Her daily interaction with contractors provided valuable input that was later used in the creation of the new waste hauling system.

Additionally, Gonzalez has mastered the Department’s inspection procedures and serves as a liaison between contractors and City inspectors. She has built a good relationship with her fellow coworkers and her versatility, willingness to learn and hands-on approach allows her to adapt to the different areas in the department.

In her two and a half years with Costa Mesa, Gonzalez has worked with every Division in Public Services. She has provided support in Construction Management, the Corporation Yard, Engineering Design and she helps Transportation with resident parking permits.

Gonzalez graduated from Cal State University Long Beach in 2015 with a dual-degree in Psychology and Consumer Affairs. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Finance from Cal State Fullerton.

In addition to honoring Gonzalez, City Manager Hatch welcome Steve Winter, a Plan Checker in Economic and Development Services and in the Parks & Community Services Department

Nathan Adkins and Clarissa Lopez, both  new Recreation Leader II and Eulalia Weed a Recreation Leader I.

In the Police Department, new Communication Officers Madison Munguia and Darlene Serrano were recognized as well as the Fire Department’s Andrew Harris who was promoted to Fire Captain.