Costa Mesa names interim public services director
Public works veteran James Ross will take over next month as interim head of Costa Mesa’s Public Services Department following the departure of longtime city employee Ernesto Munoz, officials announced this week.
Ross has more than three decades of public works experience, including a stint as an associate engineer for the city of Costa Mesa from 1978 to 1981.
“It’s a little bit like coming back home,” Ross said in an interview Wednesday. “It’s the same City Hall and the same city streets. I know a bit about the city.”
The 68-year-old Huntington Beach resident also has worked for the cities of Santa Ana, where he was executive director of public works, and Irvine, where he was principal projects manager.
His first day as interim director in Costa Mesa will be June 13.
“We have big shoes to fill with the departure of Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz,” said Costa Mesa spokesman Tony Dodero. “So we are fortunate to have someone of Mr. Ross’ caliber join the team, even if it’s just on an interim basis. His knowledge of public works at the municipal level and experience managing both a large staff and multimillion-dollar capital improvement budget makes him a great fit for Costa Mesa.”
The Public Services Department is responsible for services in areas including maintenance, transportation, engineering and facilities. Costa Mesa has more than $500 million in assets that fall under public services, according to the city.
Munoz, who is leaving Costa Mesa to join a private asset management firm in south Orange County, has worked for the city since 1994 and has acted as its public services director since late 2011. His last day in that job will be June 10.
Ross is the public works group leader for Interwest Consulting Group and will be paid as part of Costa Mesa’s existing contract with that firm. Ross said his rate will be $160 per hour and that his time on the job could vary week to week.
“I plan to give Costa Mesa whatever they need,” he said.
The search for a permanent replacement for Munoz has begun, Dodero said, but there’s no set timetable for it.
