A slim majority of Costa Mesa City Council members abruptly fired City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison, who steered the city through the pandemic and its economic fallout.

During a closed session vote on Tuesday, council members voted 4-2-1 to terminate Farrell Harrison’s employment with the city. Councilwomen Andrea Marr and Arlis Reynolds were the dissenting votes. Mayor John Stephens abstained. 

Marr, who attended the meeting over Zoom, said she was embarrassed her council colleagues would “treat the woman who so capably led our city for so long.” 

“What happened tonight was incredibly frustrating and deeply disappointing, and frankly a reminder of the fragility of our system of government. Too often our leaders seem to forget the limits of their own power,” Marr said at Tuesday’s meeting.

“By motion of Councilmember (Loren) Gameros, seconded by Councilmember (Mike) Buley, the city council acted to terminate the employment agreement of the city manager,” City Attorney Kim Barlow said during Tuesday’s meeting. 

“It was without cause of the agreement,” Barlow later clarified during the meeting. 

“While I’m certainly at a crisis of confidence in this city council I have full confidence in the staff here,” Reynolds said at the meeting.

Marr said the firing raises serious questions.

“We’ve sat through some council meetings where I’ve gone home with a lot of questions by the decisions of members on this council but certainly tonight this is the most questionable decision I’ve observed and it gives me a lot of concern,” Reynolds said. 

Councilman Manuel Chavez, who voted to terminate Farrell Harrison, gave her praise for what she accomplished during her tenure like community outreach to marginalized communities and a budget surplus. He also added that staff morale was at a high. 

In a text message to Voice of OC on Wednesday, Stephens wrote, “I’m grateful for Lori Ann’s service over the past six years and wish her the best.” He did not speak to why he abstained from his vote. 

In a text message Thursday after publication of the article, Buley said he can’t say much at time about Farrell Harrison’s firing “due to the sensitive nature of the situation.” 

“What I can say is the decision to terminate was extremely difficult but ultimately it was in the best interest of the City under all the circumstances,” he wrote.

The rest of the council couldn’t be reached for comment.

Farrell Harrison’s firing marks  the second time in recent years that Costa Mesa has abruptly terminated their city manager mid contract. 

In November 2018, then City Manager Tom Hatch was terminated without cause. 

Stephens and Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who were both councilmembers then, were the dissenting votes. 

Costa Mesa searched for a new city manager for four months until Farrell Harrison was given the position. 

According to Farrell Harrison’s contract, she will receive six months severance pay from her base pay. In a compensation report from 2023, Farrell Harrison’s base pay is reported at $304,500. She will also be paid out accrued vacation. 

The contract also outlines a vehicle allowance of $575 a month. 

Although the contract does not mention a car, city spokesman Tony Dodero said in an email Wednesday that she was given a Ford Explorer by the city. He said she will no longer receive an automobile allowance or keep the car.

Farrell Harrison was the first woman to hold the position when she was appointed in 2019. Prior to working in Costa Mesa she was assistant city manager in Huntington Beach. 

Marr urged residents to keep focused on the city council. 

“Frankly you paying attention is the only way anything ever changes and I’ll be the first to admit that right now I need your help.” 

Gigi Gradillas is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow. Contact her at gigi.gradillas@gmail.com or on Twitter @gigigradillas.