Council names city manager and legal counsel as negotiators for upcoming labor talks

The Costa Mesa City Council on April 1 designated city negotiators for upcoming collective bargaining with three employee associations: the Costa Mesa Police Management Association (CMPMA), the Costa Mesa Police Association (CMPA) and the Costa Mesa City Employees Association (CMCA).

Council Member Mike Beaulieu asked a series of questions about the practice of having the city manager act as a lead negotiator and whether it created an appearance-of-conflict because the city manager is the appointing authority for department heads. City staff and the city attorney said the practice is common and can save time and expense compared with using outside counsel for the entire negotiations process. City Attorney Kim Barlow explained the city manager historically has led negotiations in recent rounds in tandem with legal counsel; staff said the firm or attorney Peter Brown previously served as lead legal negotiator in some prior cycles and will assist again as legal counsel.

Supporters of keeping the city manager in the lead said it provides continuity and quicker scheduling because outside attorneys have busier calendars, while opponents argued for the option of outside neutrals in some situations. Council Member Manuel Chavez said he considered proposing a substitute motion to place outside counsel in the lead but declined after hearing staff rationale and given his short time on the dais.

The council voted 7–0 to adopt the staff recommendation to appoint the city manager, supported by legal counsel Peter Brown, as the city's negotiating team for the listed bargaining units. Staff said they would proceed with a financial analysis of current memorandums of understanding and return as needed during bargaining.