News Summary
Costa Mesa officials have begun negotiating a contract for Interim City Manager Cecilia Gallardo-Daly following the controversial termination of former City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison. The decision, announced during a closed session meeting, indicates a pivotal moment for leadership in Costa Mesa amid ongoing legal disputes stemming from the prior manager’s dismissal. The specific terms and timeline for the negotiations remain undisclosed, sparking uncertainty among constituents and council members.
Costa Mesa officials have decided to negotiate a contract for Interim City Manager Cecilia Gallardo-Daly, following the contentious termination of former City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison amid an ongoing legal dispute. The City Attorney announced the direction to move forward with the negotiations in a closed session meeting held on Tuesday, marking a pivotal step in the city’s leadership transition.
The City Council’s decision to engage in contract negotiations for Gallardo-Daly was met with applause from attendees at the meeting. However, specific details concerning the contract or a timeline for the negotiation were not disclosed, adding an element of uncertainty to the process.
Lori Ann Farrell Harrison was dismissed during a controversial 4-2-1 vote during a closed session on May 6. The vote saw Mayor John Stephens recuse himself, while Councilmembers Andrea Marr and Arlis Reynolds opposed the firing. Following her termination, Farrell Harrison did not receive a clear explanation for her dismissal, which has raised questions among constituents and council members alike.
On July 7, Farrell Harrison initiated a legal complaint in Orange County Superior Court, claiming retaliation from the city following her allegations of misconduct against Mayor John Stephens. These allegations include accusations of conflicts of interest and undue influence during her tenure. The lawsuit includes a 14-page document detailing her complaints against the mayor; however, that document has yet to be made public.
Prior to this ongoing dispute, the City Council discussed the potential impacts of the lawsuit during multiple closed sessions. To defend against Farrell Harrison’s claims, they have engaged employment attorney Greg Labate to represent Costa Mesa in the litigation process. Notably, despite her legal actions, Farrell Harrison postponed serving the complaint toCosta Mesa City Hall until September 5.
Gallardo-Daly was appointed Interim City Manager on June 3, after joining Costa Mesa as an assistant city manager in December 2022. Her annual salary increased from $277,932 to $330,216 following her interim appointment. Before her time in Costa Mesa, she served as the community development director for San Clemente.
According to Farrell Harrison, discussions about her termination began in silence after she voiced concerns regarding Mayor Stephens’ potentially illegal activities during a conversation in March. In her lawsuit, she claims that the decision to terminate her was based on bad faith and was executed in a disorganized manner, potentially violating California’s open meeting law, known as the Brown Act. The lawsuit seeks to annul her termination, implement stricter transparency measures for council meetings, and to secure the reimbursement of her attorney’s fees.
During the meeting in which she was terminated, Farrell Harrison had prepared a presentation highlighting her accomplishments, expecting a performance evaluation rather than an abrupt dismissal. The split motivations among council members regarding her termination have become apparent, with some expressing concern about the stability and future governance of Costa Mesa in the wake of her ousting. Councilmember Reynolds commended Farrell Harrison’s dedication to both community engagement and staff morale throughout her tenure, while Councilmember Marr cautioned that chaos might ensue following the council’s decision to fire her.
The council members who voted for Farrell Harrison’s termination have not publicly clarified their reasoning or provided further context in subsequent meetings, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the circumstances surrounding her dismissal.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Officials Seek to Promote Interim City Manager
- Wikipedia: Costa Mesa, California
- Orange County Register: Former Costa Mesa Official Accuses Mayor of Illegal Behavior
- Google Search: Costa Mesa
- Los Angeles Times: Costa Mesa Explores Creating Code of Ethics
- Google Scholar: Costa Mesa city government
- Orange County Register: Costa Mesa City Council Fires City Manager
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Costa Mesa
- Los Angeles Times: Former Costa Mesa City Manager Opens Up on Firing
- Google News: Costa Mesa city manager
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
