COSTA MESA : 2 Water District Officials Named in Complaint

Members of a citizens watchdog group have filed a complaint against two officials of the Mesa Consolidated Water District, alleging that they violated the state’s open meetings law.

The complaint, filed with the district attorney’s office this week by the Coalition for Clean Water--Costa Mesa, alleges that Director Hank Panian and General Manager Karl Kemp violated the Brown Act, which mandates that public officials conduct certain sessions in public forums.

Water district officials said Wednesday that the allegations are false.

Staff members at the district attorney’s office confirmed that the complaint had been filed but, citing standard procedure, would not comment further.

The coalition alleges in its complaint that the water board’s decision to appoint a new director after Tom Nelson resigned in August was improper because it was made without consulting other members of the board or holding a public meeting about the process. Some residents had requested that the board hold a special election to fill the position, rather than appoint someone.

Kemp said Wednesday that the issue was discussed and voted on at an open meeting of the directors on Aug. 24. “I am baffled why anyone would call that a violation,” he said. “We have worked hard to make sure everything is done in the open.”

The coalition states in its complaint that the board sent out a press release before the meeting stating that Nelson’s successor would be appointed.