Council picks pres., lawyer

Real estate developer and Pop Warner Football President Steve Mensinger and construction attorney and Mesa North Community Assn. President Colin McCarthy were voted onto the Planning Commission early Wednesday morning.

The new members will join Commissioners Jim Righeimer, Jim Fisler and Sam Clark on the body, which is charged with deciding which housing and business developments are approved and recommending changes to city land use laws.

Twenty-two applicants applied for the two positions. Several of them have lived in the city for more than 20 years and the majority have management and executive experience in real estate.

Mensinger was a longtime executive with Arnel Management Company — a development company that owns several apartment complexes and retail outlets in Costa Mesa, mostly in the South Coast Metro area.

“My philosophy is how do we bring in more 30-year-olds to this community? How do we bring vitality to the community because with that vitality the outgrowth is tax revenue, ideas and rejuvenation of leadership,” Mensinger said.

He called Costa Mesa one of the top four locations in Orange County because of its proximity to the beach and to retail centers, but believes the city needs to do a better job of presenting a good impression to visitors in order to realize its potential.

Much of the development over the years, he said, lacked a grand vision, which he hopes to restore.

As a lawyer, McCarthy represents owners, contractors and others involved in real estate development in business litigation.

“I am knowledgeable about planning and development, and as a homeowner I have a deep interest in the future growth of our city,” McCarthy wrote to the council.

Incumbents Donn Hall and Eleanor Egan both unsuccessfully tried to retake their seats, although Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece lobbied in Hall’s favor, touting the former mayor’s experience and knowledge of Costa Mesa’s history.

Two open seats on the Parks and Recreation Commission were filled by Kim Pederson, a 20-year employee of the Newport Beach Parks Department, and Jeff Mathews, who works in the health-care industry.

Pederson has two teenage boys who go to Costa Mesa High School and play in youth sports leagues around the community.

Pederson said he wants to expand youth sports opportunities.

Mathews and Pederson will join Kurt Galitski, Mike Brumbaugh and Terry Shaw on the commission.

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at alan.blank@latimes.com.