SAN MARCOS — The San Marcos City Council agreed last week to reappoint several community members to open roles on various city commissions and boards, as well as some first-time members.
Community members had the opportunity to apply to vacancies on the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Climate Action Plan Implementation Working Group, and San Marcos Community Foundation in the fall. Applicants could apply for more than one commission.
On Jan. 13, applicants gave short statements to the City Council about their desire and qualifications for the top-desired position and answered questions from the council.
Planning Commission
The council made appointments to four regular and two alternate positions on the Planning Commission this year, with 10 total applicants putting their names forward. The commission reviews land use matters, including specific plans, conditional use permits, and rezones and makes decisions in an advisory capacity to the council.
The council reappointed commissioners Kevin Norris, Chair Fatima Guerrero, Lionel Saulsberry, and Mike Barnett as regular commissioners and Marie Marcinko as an alternate. They also appointed Lindsey Smith as a new alternate.
Norris, who has served several years on the Planning Commission and other boards, said this would likely be his last term on the commission.
“I’ve also had the pleasure of working with great commissioners, both past and current, also city managers, planning directors, and mayors, quite a few, so I’d like to continue to pass on my experience to the new commissioners,” Norris said. “I’d really appreciate serving another term.”
Smith is also running for the City Council District 2 seat in the November election. When asked by Councilmember María Nuñez, she said she did not believe this would present a conflict of interest with her being on the commission.
“I think if anything, it helps prepare me for the role of City Council because it gives me more understanding of the inner workings of the city and processes, procedures, and departments,” Smith said.
Other applicants were Arturo Rico, who reapplied for his alternate role, as well as John Wider, Allison Stanton, and Ryan Gardiner.
Planning Commission terms are four years each.
Parks and Recreation Commission
The City Council reappointed Commission Chair Jay Franklin and alternate Angelica Garcia to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
The nine-person commission advises the City Council on community recreation facilities, programs, activities, maintenance, and management. Terms on the commission last four years.
Franklin said he has greatly enjoyed sharing information and increasing transparency about recreation programs and facilities with residents, and would like to continue engaging the community in this way.
“As they say, time flies when you’re having fun, and let me tell you, I have had the great honor of serving as commissioner and chairperson for Parks and Rec for these last four years,” Franklin said.
Climate Action Plan Working Group
There was one vacancy on the Climate Action Plan Implementation Working Group, which provides recommendations to other city boards and commissions about goals related to implementing the Climate Action Plan.
Rebecca Rosaler was reappointed to her regular seat on the five-person working group for a two-year term. She most recently served as chair.
“Over the past several years, I’ve been deeply encouraged by San Marcos’s efforts such as reworking building codes, sourcing renewable energy through CA, and diverting green waste from the landfills. It has been an honor to contribute to these conversations and to ensure community voices remain part of the process,” Rosaler said.
San Marcos Community Foundation
The eight-person Community Foundation board reviews grant applications from community nonprofits seeking funding for programs related to arts and culture, children and youth, health and wellbeing, education, senior services, civic life, and wildlife.
The City Council reappointed board member Carol Gendel to another two-year term as a regular board member and appointed current alternate Stephanie Bussen as a regular board member. Eliza King was chosen as a new alternate.
Katie Croskrey also applied for a vacant seat but was not chosen.
Mayor Rebecca Jones encouraged those who were not selected not to be deterred and to continue attending meetings and being involved.
Council members also emphasized that it is important for alternates to attend briefings with city staff, noting that they are often needed to fill a seat if a regular member is absent from a meeting.
“You need to be prepared and you need to, as an alternate, be able to jump into that seat. It’s really important,” Jones said.
