TITLE:
title
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2026-42 and 2026-43 RENAMING THE ARTS SPECIALIST CLASSIFICATION REPRESENTED BY THE COSTA MESA CITY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
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DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE- HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: KASAMA LEE, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
CONTACT INFORMATION: KASAMA LEE, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER (714) 754-5169
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council approve and Adopt Resolution Number 2026-XX renaming the Arts Specialist classification to Arts and Culture Supervisor (Attachment 1).
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BACKGROUND:
The Costa Mesa City Employees Association (CMCEA) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) contains a provision for CMCEA to request up to five (5) compensation inequity and five (5) classification studies each year. This allows for five (5) classifications in this bargaining unit to be analyzed by Human Resources to identify whether a classification update may also be needed based on the duties and functions being performed by the incumbent(s).
The full-time Art Specialist position in the Parks and Community Services Department was one of the positions requested to be studied by CMCEA. The remaining positions will be brought forward for City Council review at a later meeting.
ANALYSIS:
The Human Resources Division reviewed the Arts Specialist classification in the Parks and Community Services Department. As the City of the Arts, the City relies on the Arts Specialist position to guide, oversee, and promote its signature arts programs and events. The Arts Specialist is responsible for planning, organizing scheduling, and evaluating a wide range of arts initiatives that help strengthen the City’s cultural identity and community engagement.
In addition to overseeing the City’s arts program, the Arts Specialist position provides essential support to the Arts Commission. This includes preparing staff reports and presentations, coordinating agendas and meeting materials, implementing Commission-approved programs and initiatives, and serving as the primary liaison between the Commission, City departments, artists, and community partners. Through this work, the Arts Specialist helps ensure that the City Council and Commission’s goals are advanced effectively and the arts-related policies and projects align with Costa Mesa’s broader arts and cultural vision.
Based on the comprehensive review of the duties performed by the position, department needs and organization structure, the Human Resources Division recommends renaming the position to Arts and Culture Supervisor to better reflect the functions performed in oversight of the Arts programming and to align with other classification titles in the department. No change to the salary range is recommended.
CMCEA concurs with this recommendation.
ALTERNATIVES:
Alternatives need not be considered as a result of collaborative efforts expended.
FISCAL REVIEW:
There is no fiscal impact by the renaming of the Arts Specialist to Arts and Culture Supervisor.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the resolution and this report and approved them as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
The proposed classification adjustment supports the City’s Strategic Plan Goals to Recruit and Retain High Quality Staff.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve and Adopt Resolution Number 2026-XX renaming the Arts Specialist classification to Arts and Culture Supervisor (Attachment 1).