Charter process nearing end

Even God was asked to weigh in on a proposed city charter for Costa Mesa on Tuesday night.

During the opening prayer at the City Council meeting, Andrew Richards, a pastor from Rock Harbor Church, asked specifically for guidance on the topic.

“We just pray that your spirit would move,” he said.

Tuesday’s meeting centered on a contentious public hearing on the draft charter.

Almost 30 speakers chimed in on the document, which would essentially amount to a local constitution if it wins approval from the council and voters.

State law requires two public hearings on a proposed charter, and Tuesday’s City Council agenda included the second of the mandated meetings.

The two sides once again lobbed well-worn arguments at each other.

Opponents say a three-member majority on the council led by Mayor Jim Righeimer is using the charter as a power grab — though a similar attempt to institute a charter form of government, known as Measure V on the ballot, was rejected by voters in November 2012.

Currently, Costa Mesa is a general law city. A charter would allow residents and officials to write their own set of rules rather than rely on the state’s general laws.

“There’s going to be a line of people here tonight, and they’re going to ask you why we need a charter,” said resident Cynthia McDonald, adding that she’d answer their question. “We don’t.”

Along with multiple speakers, Councilwoman Wendy Leece reminded everyone in the room that 60% of the electorate turned down Measure V.

“It’s kind of like when you tell kids: What part of no don’t you understand?” Leece said.

After that vote, the City Council formed a citizens committee to draft a new charter. The 13 members spent 10 months drafting the new document from scratch, according to city staff.

What the committee came up with is a simple, short document that improves local control, proponents say.

“It’s trying to save money,” said charter committee member Gene Hutchins.

He pointed to a provision in the charter that bars any increase to city employees’ retirement benefits without approval from two-thirds of Costa Mesa voters in a general election.

Now that the charter has been drafted and public input heard, the City Council can make its own amendments and vote as soon as July 1 on whether to put it on the November ballot.

But unless three councilmen who have backed the charter “have some kind of epiphany,” charter committee member Harold Weitzberg said, “this thing is going on the ballot shortly.”