City Clerk Appointed; Higher Salary OKd

Kathie M. Mendoza has been appointed city clerk, filling a position that had been vacant since January.

“She was clearly the City Council’s first choice,” Councilwoman Karen Lloreda said. “I think she’ll be an asset to the city staff, and I think the community will like her also.”

Since 1993, Mendoza has served as city clerk in Paramount in Los Angeles County. Before that she was deputy city clerk there and in Norwalk.

“She’s very calm, very professional,” Lloreda said Wednesday. “She just felt like a real good match.”

Mendoza won out over 21 other applicants, nine of whom were interviewed by the City Council. As clerk she will maintain city records and coordinate elections.

“I’m excited to get down there,” Mendoza said Thursday. “I felt it would be a good opportunity.”

She said that she and her husband are eager to move to the beach from their Fullerton home.

The council on Wednesday also approved raising the city clerk’s salary range. It had been third-lowest among cities of comparable size in Orange County. Mendoza will be paid $63,768 a year.

Councilman Harold R. Kaufman said he thinks the city could have gotten an equally qualified clerk for less. His was the lone vote opposing Mendoza’s contract. He also opposed a provision giving her six months’ severance pay unless she quits without notice or is fired for misconduct.

The preceding city clerk, Sharon Dawson, left Dana Point in January to take the same position in Santa Clarita. Interim city clerk Cathy Catlett did not apply for the job permanently, and will return to her job as an assistant city clerk.

“We’ve had good luck with Kathies in the city clerk department,” Mayor William L. Ossenmacher said of Catlett and Mendoza.

The City Council also interviewed five city manager candidates Wednesday.