Top manager coming aboard

Costa Mesa announced Friday that one of its top managers will drop the “interim” from her title and come aboard permanently to take on a swath of management duties that includes overseeing city parks.

Tamara Letourneau will start work as assistant chief executive officer and administrative services director on Feb 17.

Letourneau’s duties will include overseeing human resources, employee development and communications, labor relations, the county libraries located in Costa Mesa and the newly created Parks and Community Services Department.

City Council members voted to create the Parks and Community Services Department and Letourneau’s new position last month.

Management of the city’s parks was previously handled by a division of the Administrative Services Department. Now the Parks and Community Services Department will handle management and planning for parks throughout the city.

Costa Mesa is looking for a permanent recreation manager to head the department under Letourneau’s oversight.

Letourneau started working at the city three years ago as a contract employee. In its announcement, the city praised her 25 years of experience that includes working as city manager for Yorba Linda and Sierra Madre.

“Tammy’s expertise, professionalism and commitment to public service has served the city extremely well over the past three years,” said city CEO Tom Hatch. “We’re very fortunate that she will now be part of Costa Mesa’s permanent management team.”

Letourneau will be paid $183,852 a year.