ENCINITAS — The Encinitas City Council recently appointed residents to fill open seats on seven commissions and one committee, bodies that provide feedback and recommendations on a wide range of issues before the legislative body.
The city received 85 eligible applications for 31 openings. Three applicants withdrew after the deadline, and three appointments were for partial terms, according to city documents.
Commission for the Arts
The Commission for the Arts received 11 eligible applications for four seats. The council appointed incumbents Vicki Campbell and Jennifer Marakovits to second terms, along with Chris Cote and Beverly Goodman.
Campbell has more than 25 years of experience in design, digital media and creative direction, according to her application. She holds a bachelor of arts in theater design from the University of California San Diego.
“I was appointed in 2023, and I hope everybody in the room noticed all the art on the way into the room here tonight,” Campbell said at the Feb. 11 meeting. “All of the art on display at the community center, the library, all over Encinitas is part of our work. It’s been very fun working with artists and reviewing all of the submissions.”
In her application, Marakovits described her first term on the commission as “an enriching and transformative experience.” As a music teacher at Rosebank Elementary School, she is committed to demonstrating the role of art in education, community development, and public life.
Marakovits sang “Alfred the Alligator” at the beginning of her remarks at the meeting.
Cote transitioned from professional surfing to serving as editor-in-chief of TransWorld Surf Magazine and Encinitas Magazine, according to his resume. The multimedia sports personality has provided broadcast commentary for Olympic surfing, hosts the Monday M.A.S.S. podcast and has covered skateboarding and snowboarding competitions.
“It just never ceases to amaze me the vibrancy, the depth, that we have here in Encinitas,” Cote said. “The art scene here is incredible.”
Goodman described herself in her application as “a creative and out of the box thinker” and told the council she is also a “happily retired former business owner.”
“I’ve been in Encinitas – you guys know – for a really long time,” Goodman said. “I adore Encinitas. I adore the arts.”
Environmental Commission
The council appointed Carol Parker and Kosta Kalamaras to the Environmental Commission by a 3-2 vote from a pool of 11 applicants.
Council members Joy Lyndes, Marco San Antonio and Luke Shaffer voted in favor of the appointments, while Deputy Mayor Jim O’Hara and Mayor Bruce Ehlers voted against.
“Robert’s Rules, it’s a wonderful thing,” Ehlers said.
Parker will serve her second term on the commission. She holds a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of California Los Angeles. In her application, Parker wrote that she would like to see more residents and businesses embrace zero waste, for the city to reach its 20% tree canopy goal, and for communication with residents to improve.
“I think the city is doing a good job with trees for the most part,” Parker said. “I think it would be good to shift the focus from city tree planting sites to residents and businesses planting more trees in the future.”
Kalamaras is nearing completion of degrees in business, real estate, and environmental ocean science from the University of San Diego. According to Kalamaras, his experiences have enabled him to see issues from multiple perspectives and bring “a grounded, community-focused perspective that supports practical, inclusive, and forward-thinking sustainability planning.”
“Out of everything I’ve learned and worked towards – specifically within our ecosystem – I’ve realized how one small discrepancy can change our local environment dramatically,” Kalamaras said. “When planning, knowing this is vital.”
Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission
The council appointed John Eldon (Leucadia), Leigh Ratcliffe (New Encinitas) and Molly Hintlian (Old Encinitas) from 10 applicants representing three districts.
Eldon estimated he has 120,000 miles of on-road experience as an avid cyclist and said he walks between 15 and 20 miles per week in addition to driving. He holds a doctorate in environmental science and engineering from UCLA and holds three patents, with two more pending.
In his application, Eldon wrote that he would advocate for traffic calming strategies “because speed literally kills.”
“I walk, I bike, I drive, I ride the coaster, I ride the breeze,” Eldon told the council. “I’m familiar with all the different modes. I know what works in terms of cycling safety, pedestrian safety, and I think I can be objective on this.”
Ratcliffe, a founding member of Safe Streets Encinitas, cited the death of Emery Chalekian in a red-light crash and her son being struck while riding an e-bike as motivations for her involvement. Ratcliffe said she would bring data-driven solutions to help the city proactively plan for safer transportation systems.
“I’ve dug and dug and dug into the traffic data until I was blue in the face, and I’ve spent a lot of time listening to community concerns,” Ratcliffe said. “So when this opportunity arose, I could not pass up the chance to step up and serve my city.”
Hintlian, who holds a journalism degree from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont and works in marketing, said the commission served as a useful bridge between residents, city staff and elected officials.
According to Hintlian, she attended all nine recent traffic commission meetings and wants to support conversations around the city’s circulation element and active transportation plan.
“Traffic safety planning is a high priority due to the influx of the in-progress developments,” Hintlian said. “Since the active transportation plan is a noted council focus for the coming year, I really want to be involved at the commission level to further support this initiative.”
Parks and Recreation Commission
From a pool of 19 applicants, the council appointed Jordan Blimbaum, Georg Capielo, David Dean, Jeffery Horton and Julie Van der Auwera.
Blimbaum, a mechanical engineer and father of two, cited fiscal responsibility, cross-functional leadership and safety as strengths.
“Through my work, I’ve honed three qualities that are important to these commissions,” Blimbaum said. “One is fiscal responsibility, second is cross-functional leadership, and third is a strong focus on safety.”
Capielo, an incumbent and attorney, wrote that he has a track record of problem-solving and advocacy.
Dean, creator of Dave’s Rock Garden near Moonlight Beach, said he hopes to bring the same community spirit that inspired the project.
“Today, that little piece of land – that was once a field of weeds – has become a world-famous and very important part of our community,” Dean said. “The rock garden was truly started as a special place for people to enjoy coming together and connecting with thought, spirits and fun time.”
Horton, a retired Marine Corps officer and fighter pilot who now flies for Delta Air Lines, cited his family’s frequent use of city parks.
“Like many families in our community, we spend a lot of time in Encinitas’s parks,” Horton said in a video statement. “Honestly, we’re at them almost every day. Our parks and recreational spaces have played a huge role in our family’s life.”
Van der Auwera, an incumbent, will serve a term ending March 1, 2027, due to a resignation. The remaining terms end March 1, 2029.
Van der Auwera is a counselor who guides prospective college students through the application process and previously served on the Solana Beach Parks and Recreation Commission before her term in Encinitas.
“If appointed, I would be honored to continue advancing the council’s vision for the city while listening to and supporting the ideas and concerns of Encinitas residents,” Van der Auwera previously told the council.
Planning Commission
The council appointed Bridget Kimball (Leucadia), Michael Quinn (New Encinitas) and Robert Prendergast (Olivenhain).
Kimball, who works in the technology field and previously served on the Parks and Recreation Commission, wrote that “giving back is important and part of my personal credo.”
“The Planning Commission is really where our general plan becomes reality – where principles meet our decisions,” Kimball said. “Matters that come to the commission have to be really evaluated carefully against what the plan says and looking at both the short and long-term outcomes.”
Quinn, an Encinitas homeowner since 1978 with experience in food sales and on the Parks and Recreation Commission, said he wants to maintain the city’s character while managing growth locally.
“My vision for Encinitas is to maintain the character and culture of this beach town while managing growth with as much local control as possible,” Quinn said.
Prendergast, an incumbent commissioner, wrote that he has more than 42 years of experience in commercial real estate and investment banking, giving him extensive knowledge of the market.
After council members questioned the potential for a conflict of interest, Prendergast said all relevant financial disclosures are filed in his completed Form 700, a public filing that requires elected officials and certain appointees to report sources of income, investments and business interests.
“I list all my stock holdings and all my commissionable events through those entities,” Prendergast said. “So you’ll see where my revenue comes from.”
Public Health and Safety Commission
The council reappointed incumbents Steven Cesnaukas, Harriet Seldin, Sergio Mora and Donnette Poole to serve another term on the Public Health and Safety Commission. .
“I’m going to lean on incumbents here, I like where you’ve been going,” Ehlers said.
O’Hara praised the returning commissioners, saying they had “righted the ship” during a period of turmoil.
“It’s such a great, qualified group,” O’Hara said.
Poole, a longtime Encinitas resident and local restaurant manager, said she is keenly aware of the safety and community-building challenges facing small businesses.
She added that her volunteer work with the Sheriff’s Office has given her “insight into the realities faced by law enforcement and the importance of working together to support a safe community.”
Senior Citizen Commission
From nine applicants, the council appointed incumbents Karen Koblentz and Lambert Ling, along with Karen Kaden and Kristen Smith, to full terms ending March 1, 2029. Julie Thunder was appointed to a partial term ending March 1, 2027.
Koblentz, president of the San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Association, said she hopes to continue helping seniors navigate technology “with comfort and peace of mind.”
“In the interest of time, as an incumbent, I simply want to express my gratitude to your leadership and make it real quick,” Koblentz said. “I think actions speak louder than words.”
Ling, a retired engineering manager, said he looks forward to supporting the next commission chair.
Kaden said she hopes to improve communication between city services and seniors.
Smith, who retired after a career in banking and commercial real estate finance, said listening and communication would be her greatest contribution.
Thunder is a longtime Encinitas resident who co-founded the King Tide Challenge Foundation, which raises funds for skin cancer research at UCSD. In her application, she cited her caregiving responsibilities for her aging parents as one of the reasons she applied.
“I make decisions based on data and research while never losing focus on the people and families those decisions affect,” Thunder said. “I care about my community. I care about the people who live here and I care about our city.”
Urban Forest Advisory Committee
The council appointed incumbents Brad Lefkowits and Matthew Altman, along with Steven Houbeck, Laura Lisauskas and Elena Thompson.
Houbeck will serve a partial term ending March 1, 2027. The remaining terms end in 2029.
Lefkowits, who recently announced his candidacy for the District 4 City Council seat, said he was “proud of both the work we’ve done (on the commission) and the respectful, professional tone we’ve built as a committee.”
Altman, CEO of a wholesale nursery and a longtime North County resident, cited his “deep expertise and network related to ornamental plants and their impact on the landscape,” saying that, coupled with his previous experience on the committee, would make him a strong member moving forward.
Houbeck, a Navy veteran and attorney who has practiced law in state and federal courts since 1993, said he wants to give back to Encinitas.
“I went to law school because my passion was to help out people and try to be an advocate to those who have no guardian, who are vulnerable,” Houbeck said. “I’ve reached that point in my life and in my career in which now I want to start giving back to Encinitas.”
Lisauskas, an award-winning interior architectural and landscape designer, said she is interested in the interaction between the built environment and ecosystems.
“I care about Encinitas and its impact on our daily lives,” Lisauskas said. “Environment, safety of our suburban communities – seeing changes makes me want to participate.”
Thompson, a real estate and brokerage business owner, suggested that the committee be consolidated under the Environmental Commission. She also expressed her deep love of trees.
“I really do appreciate shade and nice places to stop on my bike rides and walking,” Thompson said. “We all know that when it comes to climate, trees are very important for shade, cooling and other environmental issues.”
