Pension panel member resigns

A member of Costa Mesa’s Pension Oversight Committee recently resigned his seat, citing difficulties with his other commitments.

Shawn Dewane left the council-appointed position in late May because of a scheduling conflict, according to committee’s meeting minutes. The minutes also indicate that he was unable to attend any of the first four weekly sessions, which began May 1.

Dewane said Monday that he had hoped to serve the nine-member group and provide his expertise, but the Wednesday meetings conflicted with his Orange County Water District meetings, which take place the first and third Wednesday of each month.

“My intent was to serve in good faith on the committee,” Dewane said, “but when the other committee members started trying to coordinate their calendars, the time and date of convenience for everybody else happened to coincide with the Orange County Water District board meetings, which I can’t reschedule.”

Dewane, president of OCWD’s 10-member board, was elected to the seat in November 2010. He represents Costa Mesa and portions of Irvine, Fountain Valley and Newport Beach.

Dewane, who also owns a Newport Beach-based investment firm, said he will continue to serve as chairman of the city’s Finance Advisory Committee and as vice president of Mesa Water District. For Mesa Water, an elected position, he represents the Eastside, downtown and portions of the Westside.

He has served on Mesa Water’s five-member board since 2005.

Dewane and the other Pension Oversight Committee members were appointed in April. They receive no compensation. Their terms end in April 2015.

The committee provides expertise to the council on “annual and long-term pension matters as it pertains to the city’s CalPERS retirement unfunded pension obligations,” according to city documents.

Pension committee Chairman Jeff Arthur said the City Council will have to discuss how to fill the vacancy.