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Parks department holds full-day staff leadership training dubbed 'Camp Costa Mesa'
Summary
Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services held a full-day staff leadership training on Feb. 1, attended by about 200 employees, focused on customer service, city government basics and team-building under the theme "Camp Costa Mesa."
The Parks and Community Services Department held an all‑staff leadership training on Saturday, Feb. 1, bringing roughly 200 employees together at the Costa Mesa Senior Center in a program leaders described as a one‑day, team‑building retreat billed “Camp Costa Mesa.”
Department Recreation Manager Monique outlined the session’s purpose at the commission meeting, saying the event followed a department review of mission and core values after Director Brian Gruner joined the city. Monique said the training marked the first all‑staff session since about February 2019 and was intended to strengthen a common culture and customer service approach.
The day included a mayor/city manager overview of local government structure, a high‑level finance briefing from the finance director, a leadership module based on the book The Ideal Team Player and breakout sessions covering HR refreshers and customer‑service methods. Monique said staff were grouped to mix programs so employees who normally work separately — for example after‑school staff, lifeguards and day‑camp staff — could meet and learn colleague roles.
Director Gruner later emphasized the department wants to continue trainings on a recurring basis and said officials will incorporate feedback from a staff survey that was circulated after the event. Monique said the department intends to rotate presenters and tailor future sessions to frontline staff needs, noting some employees requested additional program‑specific training.
Commissioners asked how feedback will shape future sessions and whether the training will include public‑engagement content. Monique said staff will use survey input and leadership team meetings to select future topics and “we definitely want this to be a consistent thing.”
Commissioner Liz Brown (vice chair at the time of the meeting) praised the training and requested the commission be briefed on future plans to align training with public‑engagement priorities. The presentation ended with several commissioners commending the day and department staff for organizing the event.
The department said it will provide a follow‑up report to commissioners with survey results and suggested topics for subsequent trainings.
