Costa Mesa City Council approves D.C. trip for mayor

The Costa Mesa City Council on Tuesday agreed to send Mayor Steve Mensinger to a conference in Washington, D.C., with the caveat that he reimburse the city for the expense.

Before the unanimous vote, Mensinger offered to pay for the trip himself, saying taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the estimated $2,500 for his attendance at the annual National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference, scheduled for March 7 to 11.

The event, which attracts more than 1,000 city leaders nationwide, focuses on federal policy issues that could have local import.

City staff said conference topics will include bonds, federal transportation dollars, climate change and the Affordable Care Act.

Councilwoman Katrina Foley expressed reservations about Mensinger’s attendance, saying that he may not represent the views of the council.

Councilwoman Sandy Genis attended a previous conference and said she “found the sessions very interesting. I’m into that sort of minutiae of government.”

She suggested making “courtesy stops” at the offices of local federal representatives, including U.S. Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) and Mimi Walters (R-Irvine), as well as the Federal Highway Administration.

City CEO Tom Hatch will also attend the conference, a decision that does not require council approval. The city is paying his expenses, also estimated at $2,500, using a travel and conference fund.

League of California Cities

The council also approved Costa Mesa’s re-entry into the League of California Cities, a Sacramento-based legislative advocacy group. The city has not been a dues-paying member for five years.

League dues are nearly $26,000 annually.

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer dissented, calling the league a “big-government” group that hasn’t pushed hard enough on pension reform or problems surrounding rehabilitation homes.

Unlike the league, Righeimer said, Costa Mesa has attempted, through local regulations, to address problematic sober-living homes.

“The fact of the matter is that the city of Costa Mesa has actually done something about it … the state did nothing about it,” Righeimer said. “The Legislature did nothing about it. I don’t see the league doing anything about it.”

Foley countered that Righeimer doesn’t support the league because he wants a conservatively “narrow” approach.

“Not every city shares your view, Mr. Righeimer, about policies in the state of California.… They’re representing a wide range of cities that have a divergent set of policy,” Foley said.

“I’m glad to eat my words when I see legislation move forward with regards to group homes,” Righeimer said.

Councilman Gary Monahan was on the council when the city decided to cut its league membership. Like Righeimer, he said he has reservations about rejoining.

“[But] if the mayor wants to participate, I believe we should show support for him,” Monahan said.