“All public officers under the requirements of the state of California must swear allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California and swear to defend that,”
— Former Costa Mesa Mayor and Councilwoman Sandy Genis
(From the August 4, 2021 Daily Pilot article, “Should locals be U.S. citizens to serve on city commissions? Costa Mesa Council narrowly decides no”)
A recent discussion by the Costa Mesa City Council about district residency requirements for planning commissioners — and whether they ought to be registered voters — spawned a debate on American citizenship and representation that deeply divided council members.
And, after a narrow 4-3 vote, planning commissioners will neither be forced to reside within the voting districts they represent, nor be U.S. citizens to serve.
The panel gave a second reading Tuesday to an ordinance that would allow commissioners to change residences more broadly within Costa Mesa and give council members, who nominate commissioners in their respective districts for a full vote by the council, more discretion in filling vacancies.