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Official Bothered by Private Planner’s Presence on Board

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Times Staff Writer

The selection of a development firm planner to help interview finalists for the job of Costa Mesa’s public services director gives the appearance of a conflict of interest, a City Council member charged Thursday.

Councilwoman Sandra L. Genis said that choosing Malcolm Ross, an executive with C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, a major development firm in Costa Mesa, to be a member of the interview board raises the potential for conflict because the firm will need to deal with the new public services director in the course of its business.

Ross joined three public employees on the interview board for the position, which has not yet been filled.

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Genis said she will bring up the conflict issue at the council’s Aug. 7 meeting in hopes of changing the city’s policy to preclude similar situations in the future.

“I’m really concerned about the kind of message this sends out to the job applicants for this position and other positions in terms of who really controls this town and (who) they have to keep satisfied,” said Genis, who was elected last year on a slow-growth platform.

“In this case, the message is you have to keep the developer pleased.”

Ross could not be reached for comment, but City Manager Allan L. Roeder denied that there was any conflict of interest in the selection of Ross to help interview finalists for the public services position, a job paying up to $75,000 a year.

“We have had varying individuals sit on different oral boards depending on qualifications,” Roeder said. “I believe it’s healthy for us to have people from the private sector involved in the interview process because we do interact frequently with the private sector.”

And including a member from private business along with three public employees on the interview board was important to give diversity of experience and expertise, he said.

Although he works for the development firm, Ross is a specialist in transportation issues with the city’s Chamber of Commerce, Roeder said. Also, he said Ross was chosen as one of the panelists because the new public services director is expected to work extensively on improving transportation in the city.

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Roeder said the panel interviewed seven job hopefuls, which were then pared to three. He said the group made no decisions, only recommendations for him to consider in making the final selection in the next few days.

While the development firm and its executives and subsidiaries have given campaign contributions to council members, Roeder said, council members have “absolutely no involvement in who is on that panel.”

Roeder said he does not object to Genis’ suggestion that the city change its policy regarding who is appointed to selection boards.

“I understand her concern. Even if there is no actual conflict, I think she is concerned about the perceived conflict.” If the rest of the council feels similarly, he said, “let’s adopt a policy . . . and live by it.”

Councilwoman Mary Hornbuckle said she does not see how the naming of Ross to the panel could present a conflict of interest. The council, she said, makes development decisions regardless of whether the Segerstrom firm deals with the new public services director.

“Neither Mr. Ross nor the public service director have final authority on what happens in the city,” she said.

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