Mensinger selected as Costa Mesa’s new mayor

The Costa Mesa City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to name Steve Mensinger the city’s next mayor, a largely ceremonial position that he will hold for two years.

An emotional Mensinger, who had been serving as mayor pro tem, thanked his colleagues, supporters and family. After taking the mayor’s seat in the center of the dais, he paused so long that Councilwoman Sandy Genis reached forward to hand him a tissue.

“No Kleenex,” Mensinger said with a smile. “I am proud to be your mayor. I will serve you in a way that I think everybody will like in the future.”

Genis had backed newly sworn-in Councilwoman Katrina Foley for the position, citing her expertise as an attorney and her solid win in November.

With more than 25% of the vote, Foley easily topped the field of eight candidates.

“She’s always stepped up,” Genis said of Foley. “She has demonstrated a commitment to our community, especially for our youth.”

Though they demonstrated unanimous support for Mensinger, the council members split minutes later during their nomination for the mayor pro tem position, which is also for two years. The spot ultimately went to Jim Righeimer, who had been serving as mayor.

Genis and Foley dissented on the nomination.

Foley supported Genis for the position of mayor pro tem, saying the selection would have shown “true action behind the words that we want to collaborate and work together. To do otherwise would make those comments hollow.”

Putting Genis alongside Mensinger would have been an act of bipartisanship, she said. Genis and Foley had campaigned against Mensinger and Righeimer, respectively.

Mensinger noted that his parents traveled from Modesto to attend the meeting.

“They’ve never been to a council meeting,” he said. “They’ve heard stories.”

Mensinger added, “I do think we need to tone down the rhetoric and vitriol, and that goes for supporters on both sides.” Foley also called for reconciliation and refraining from using harsh words, particularly on Facebook.

Mensinger was first nominated to the council in January 2011 to replace Foley, who resigned after getting elected to the Newport-Mesa Unified school board. He then won his election in 2012.

Righeimer was first elected in 2010.

Both Mensinger and Righeimer served terms on the city Planning Commission before joining the council.