The conclusion Costa Mesa’s most recent city council meeting ended on a high note for former city councilmember John Stephens, who was appointed to replace outgoing Mayor Katrina Foley. Foley will vacate her council seat after being elected onto the Orange County Board of Supervisors March 9. Council members and constituents in support of the March 16 appointment highlighted Stephens’ civic leadership experience and community involvement, both as a former city councilman and mayor Pro Tem from 2016 to 2020. He has served on the city’s pension oversight committee, the Costa Mesa High School Foundation, and Cosa Mesans for Responsible Government, among others. Councilmember Don Harper—along with opposing constituents who called in to the virtual city council meeting well past midnight—made a case for the vacated seat to be the subject of its own special election. Ultimately, the timeframe and cost to taxpayers was not supported by council majority. Stephens …