Council fills most commission seats

SOLANA BEACH — With 19 vacancies on the city’s five citizen commissions, council members appointed 17 residents from a field of 27 applicants at the Jan. 23 meeting. Two remaining vacancies on the Public Safety Commission are still available.

“It’s always difficult whenever you get more interest than you can fill slots,” Councilman Tom Campbell said.

Only four of the applicants attended the meeting to ask for consideration for the positions they sought.

“This is a really fun time for the arts,” said Allen Moffson, who was reappointed to his seat on the Public Arts Advisory Commission. “There’s a lot happening.

“Not only does art beautify the city, it’s a quality of life issue,” he added.

“I love volunteering for the city,” Carol Beth Rodriguez said. “I’d like to continue.” She, too, was reappointed to Public Arts.

“I believe I bring a youthful and exuberant attitude into public art,” said Brett Reisdorf, one of seven applicants for the three available positions on that commission. “I have an interesting philosophy with the art I create, which has to do with sustainability and teaching sustainability.

“It is an exciting time for arts in Solana Beach and I’d love nothing more than to be a part of that,” added Reisdorf, who was appointed.

The three vacancies on the Budget and Finance Commission, which received eight applications, were filled with current members Anthony Craig, Michael Whitton and Gordon Johns.

Conversely, the four open positions on the Parks and Recreation Commission went to new applicants.

Lynn Salsberg and Elaine Lawless, whose terms were expiring, reapplied but were not selected. Rick Fey and Adam Paulsen, whose terms were also up, did not submit applications.

Filling the vacancies are Chris Hohn, Steve Ostrow, Holly Coughlin and Peggy Walker.

Of the four available positions on the View Assessment Commission, one was vacant going into the Jan. 23 meeting.

All three current members applied, but only Jack Hegenauer and Jewel Edson were reappointed. Georgia Wood was not. The other two spots went to Rebecca Lawson and Dean Pasko.

Public Safety had five vacancies and only four applicants. Positions went to Morey Rahimi and incumbents David Bittar and Bernhard Geierstanger.

Pasko listed this commission as his second choice but he had already been appointed to View Assessment. The two remaining seats will be reposted.

Six residents whose terms were up did not reapply. Of the 12 who did, only three were not reappointed. The majority of all applicants sought a position on only one commission, although two listed a first and second choice and one had a third preference.

Sharon Klein withdrew her application for Public Arts about a week before the meeting.

“I had served for 12 years,” Klein said. “I had heard there were a lot of interesting candidates so I decided to make way for some people with new ideas and make it easier on everyone. But I’ll still work with the committee so it’s a win/win.”