Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz leaves Costa Mesa for private sector

Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz has accepted an offer to become Director of General Services for a private asset management group, capping a 22-year career with the City of Costa Mesa that was highlighted by several major milestones including the restoration of wetlands at Fairview Park.

“Ernesto is one of the top engineers I have worked with in my 28-year career in government service,” City CEO Tom Hatch said. “His contributions to the Costa Mesa community are far reaching and we benefitted immensely from his vision and expertise. We are going to greatly miss him here at City Hall.”

Munoz was named public services director in 2012, overseeing a staff of 120-plus employees and managing a budget of more than $22 million and a Capital Improvement Program budget of $27 million. The city has more than $500 million in assets that fall under public services purview.

“Since I took over my responsibilities as director in 2012, we have implemented a very aggressive Capital Improvement Program and constructed approximately $100 million in infrastructure improvements,” Munoz said. “We continually improved the quality of services and at the same time achieved enhanced efficiency throughout the department.”

Under his leadership, public services also brought the City’s street system’s Pavement Condition Index from 77.6 to 86.3, which is well above the County’s average PCI of 77.

In addition to the Fairview Park wetlands project, Munoz oversaw City Hall’s seismic retrofit as well as the creation of major recreation and sports venues, including the Volcom Skate Park, the Angels Tot Lot and the Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex.

One of the pools created by Costa Mesa Public Services to restore the Fairview Park wetlands.

He and his staff have completed multiple street, drainage and alley improvement projects, many with significant grant funding. Most recently, the city entered into a partnership with the OC Fair and Event Center to create a new bio-swale development that will improve walkways and help manage storm water runoff into the Back Bay.

“This has been a very emotional decision for me as I have a deep bond to this community through great relationships with residents and businesses alike,” Munoz said. “I have the best and brightest staff any director can hope for.  I have received tremendous support, both from the Councils I have served as well as community members and CEO Hatch, and I don’t regret a minute of my 22 years with this great City.”