Mayor: City staffers were loyal, set high standards

Newport Beach City Atty. Robin Clauson and City Clerk LaVonne Harkless both announced plans this week to retire later this year.

Harkless will retire in November, while Clauson will leave her office at the end of the year. Both women are longtime city employees.

Clauson began her career with Newport Beach in 1989 as assistant city attorney. She was appointed city attorney four years ago and has led the city’s legal team and worked with special counsel through successful litigation over growth in the Irvine Business Complex and the drafting and defense of regulations relating to group homes.

She provided election advice that guided three ballot initiatives and advised the city on its new general plan and the recent adoption of the North Newport Center Development Agreement. Clauson has directed a full range of legal projects, including those related to ordinance updates and tidelands issues.

“[Clauson] is one of the hardest-working, most loyal city employees I have known,” said Mayor Ed Selich in a written statement. “She gave solid legal advice to both the Planning Commission and City Council. Her services will be missed. I wish her only the best in her future endeavors.”

Clauson initially planned to retire and leave her post by the end of the summer. After further discussion with the City Council and city manager, she has agreed to remain with the organization during the recruitment and transition process for the new city attorney. Her official retirement date is Dec. 26.

“It has been an honor to serve this exceptional organization and a privilege to work here for nearly two decades,” Clauson said.

Newport Beach hired City Clerk Harkless in January 1996. She has led her department through a series of projects designed to provide citizens with easier access to local government information during her tenure with the city.

An advocate for the complete automation of the City Clerk’s Office, Harkless played an integral role in introducing document-imaging and providing online access to city records, including City Council agenda packets, the city municipal code, and ordinances and records dating back to 1906. In addition, citizens can now apply online for an appointive position or watch council meetings using video-streaming technology.

Harkless and her husband plan to move back to their home state of South Dakota, where they recently built a log home on a three-acre parcel in the northern Black Hills, near the city of Spearfish.

“I’m looking forward to enjoying my retirement, but will miss the daily interaction with the City Council, staff and residents of Newport Beach,” Harkless said. “I will look back on my time here with fond memories.”

The Newport Beach City Council will likely begin the recruitment process for a new city clerk later this month.

“LaVonne is the consummate, professional city clerk,” Selich said in his statement. “Her department is well-organized. She oversaw many improvements in the City Clerk’s Office and is responsible for many innovations. Her replacement will have a high standard to live up to.”

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].