HAZARD PAY, ARTS & CULTURE & MAYOR

Here is the agenda for tonight's City Council Meeting:  CITY OF COSTA MESA (costamesaca.gov)

My comments:

Honorable Mayor and City Council:

Re: New Business 4-- Hazard Pay:

I urge you to please reconsider your position to force businesses to award “Hazard Pay” to grocery workers.

It is not the responsibility of government to interfere in the marketplace, even in a pandemic.

By voting to approve this pay and force grocery stores to pay employees $4 per hour you are setting a dangerous precedent.

In America we enjoy free markets, not subject to government intervention.  Regardless of claims of excessive profits, it is not for the government to decide to order raises.

Will you ask the owner of Amazon and Home Depot to do the same?  What is next?

By intruding into the workplace, intervening in a private employee-employer relationship, you as a city council are venturing into an area where you have no jurisdiction.

It is not the government’s role to impose “economic justice” to a certain class of employees, even if they are frontline workers.

All workers have freedom of choice and may decide to work or not to work at a business, depending on risks. That’s the American way.

Some workers belong to a union.  It has been the historic role of unions in America to advocate for workers’ rights and protections.  Let the unions advocate for their employees.

A Costa Mesa car repair owner, John Munteen, wrote a book called “Willing to Die” about why he left the tyrannical communist government in Romania.  He passed away last year and his son now runs the business. Many like Mr. Munteen fled communist countries to come to America---for freedom.

Let’s not go down this path. This idea has consequences and is a bad idea. It’s over-reach by government.

Re: NB 5--Mayor Selection

Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council,

As a member of FIPAC I am keenly aware of the City’s financial challenges and the expense of a special election in 2021.

After much thought my recommendation is for Mayor Pro Tem Marr to become Mayor and for the city council to receive applications for a new city council member.

Please consider what the City of Irvine did when Mayor of Irvine Don Wagner was voted to the Board of Supervisors.  Christina Shea, as mayor pro tem, became mayor and (I believe) applications were received and Mike Carroll was selected to be on the City Council.

This plan would be in the best interest of the City because the MPT has a real time knowledge of current city affairs and it will be a smoother transition to become mayor and better for the city.  And after reviewing applications, the Council can decide on the best qualified for a new council member.  I don’t think it matters if the council member is at-large or from the current Mayor Pro Tem’s council district.

Re: NB 2-Arts & Culture Plan

The Arts and Culture Plan is outstanding! So many wonderful ideas.  All the time an energy by all the people involved is appreciated!

However, we are in the midst of a pandemic with many financial challenges.

I would ask that all proposed budget items for the Plan be carefully reviewed by the FIPAC which can make recommendations based on the City’s current and future financial status.