CITY OF ENCINITAS PUBLIC NOTICE OF RECRUITMENT FOR CITY COUNCIL
APPOINTED COMMISSIONS/COMMITTEES FOR TERMS EXPIRING MARCH 1, 2026

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Encinitas is accepting applications for appointment to City Commissions/Committees for those terms expiring March 2026. Application forms must be completed online from the City’s  website.  

All applicants must be registered voters of the City of Encinitas.  The Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission and Planning Commission have geographic specific appointment requirements.

There are two (2) application deadlines: one for incumbents wishing to reapply and a later date for all other applicants. The deadline for incumbents wishing to reapply is Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., and the deadline for all other applicants is Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

All applicants will be asked to attend the February 11, 2026, City Council meeting (subject to change) to briefly discuss (2 to 3 minutes) their qualifications and interest in serving on a commission. Appointments may be made at the same meeting or continued to a future City Council meeting.  Terms will begin March 1, 2026.

APPOINTMENTS TO BE MADE AND TERMS EXPIRING IN 2026:

COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS: Four (4) appointments to be made for three-year terms ending March 1, 2029. Terms expiring are:

• Vicki Campbell, appointed 02-08-2023, Term 1
• James Hebert, appointed 02-08-2023, Term 1
• Niyati Kadakia, appointed 02-08-2023, Term 1
• Jennifer Marakovits, appointed 02-08-2023, Term 1

The Commission for the Arts is a seven member board. The Commission for the Arts shall conduct public hearings and prepare recommendations to the City Council on matters regarding the visual, performing, and literary arts. The Commission will promote the arts within the community through: 1) quality visual, performing and literary arts programming, 2) exposure and advocacy, 3) arts education programs, and 4) the development of arts venues. The Commission will assist the City Council on matters that may be referred to the Commission by the City Council.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION:  Two (2) appointments to be made for three-year terms ending March 1, 2029.  Terms expiring are:

• Katie Fletcher, appointed 09-11-2024, Partial Term
• Carol Parker, appointed 02-08-2023, Term 1

The Environmental Commission is a seven-member board. The Environmental Commission shall conduct public hearings and prepare recommendations to the City Council on matters regarding the environment to include without limitation: Develop an Annual Work Plan and presentation to the City Council; Review and update from time to time, as necessary, the Environmental Action Plan; Develop policies and plans to provide for and advocate for environmental protection within the City of Encinitas; Develop policies and plans for developing environmental awareness in cooperation with other public and private agencies to include school districts; Provide review and recommendations to the City Council on such matters that may be referred to the Commission by the City Council.

MOBILITY & TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION: Three (3) appointments to be made for three-year terms ending March 1, 2029. Terms expiring are:

• James Gross, appointed 02-08-2023 (Leucadia Representative), Term 1
• Glen Johnson, reappointed 02-08-2023 (Old Encinitas Representative), Term 2 – Termed Out
• David Thile, appointed 02-08-2023 (New Encinitas Representative), Term 1

The Traffic and Public Safety Commission is a seven member board with five members representing each of the five communities of Encinitas: Cardiff, Leucadia, New Encinitas, Old Encinitas, and Olivenhain; and two (2) members representing the community at-large. Applicants must have resided as a registered voter in Leucadia, New Encinitas, or Old Encinitas for no less than six months prior to appointment and maintain residency and voter registration in Leucadia, New Encinitas, or Old Encinitas while serving on the Commission. The Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission shall study and report to the City Council upon any matter referred to it by the City Council. The Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission shall have advisory responsibility in regard to mobility and traffic safety issues.

A. It is the duty of this Commission to serve as a liaison between the public and the City Council, and to conduct analyses and provide recommendations to the Council on matters related to safety and mobility of all modes of transportation.

B. If the recommendations of the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission are to modify existing traffic controls, devices, markings, or measures, or install new controls, devices, markings or measures, then those recommendations shall be included with a report by the City Traffic Engineer or his/her designee in an agenda item to the City Council.

C. If the recommendations of the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission are to not modify existing traffic controls, devices, markings, or measures nor to install new traffic controls, devices, markings or measures, then these recommendations shall be included in a report by the City Traffic Engineer or his/her designee to the Council for information only. The Commission decision can be reviewed by Council if an appeal is filed or by Council request. (See Chapter 1.12.)

D. The City Council may refer to the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission requests to review and prepare recommendations on major roadway projects.

E. Powers Delegated to the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission to be advisory. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as restricting or curtailing any of the powers of the City Council, or as a delegation to the Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission of any of the authority or discretionary powers vested and imposed by law in the City Council. The City Council declares that the public interest, convenience, and welfare require the appointment of a Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission to act in a purely advisory capacity to the City Council for the purpose enumerated. Any power herein delegated to the Commission to adopt rules and regulations shall not be construed as a delegation of legislative authority but purely a delegation of administrative authority.

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: Four (4) appointments to be made for three- year terms ending March 1, 2029. Terms expiring are:

• Georg Capielo, appointed 02-21-2024, Partial Term
• Kimberly Evers, appointed 02-21-2024, Partial Term
• Michael Quin, appointed 02-08-2023, Term 1
• Julie Van der Auwera, appointed 02-08-2023 Term 1

The Parks and Recreation Commission is a seven member board. The Parks and Recreation Commission shall conduct public hearings and prepare recommendations to the City Council on matters regarding public parks, recreational facilities, and community services to include, without limitation: policies and plans for the acquisition, development, improvement, and utilization of parks, playgrounds and other recreational facilities; policies and plans for the development and operations of community service programs for the benefit of the residents of the City; policies and plans for developing community service programs in cooperation with other public and private agencies to include school districts; and such matters that may be referred to the Commission by the City Council.

PLANNING COMMISSION: Three (3) appointments to be made for three-year terms ending March 1, 2029.  Terms expiring are:

• Robert Prendergast, appointed 02-08-2023 (Olivenhain Representative), Term 1
• Christine Ryan, appointed 02-08-2023 (Leucadia Representative), Term 1
• Susan Sherod, reappointed 02-08-2023 (New Encinitas Representative), Term 2 – Termed Out

The Planning Commission is a five member board with each member representing one of the five communities of Encinitas: Cardiff, Leucadia, New Encinitas, Old Encinitas, and Olivenhain. Applicants must have resided as a registered voter in Leucadia, New Encinitas, or Olivenhain for no less than six months prior to appointment and maintain residency and voter registration in Leucadia, New Encinitas, or Olivenhain while serving on the Commission.  The Planning Commission shall perform such duties as may be specified by ordinance or resolution of the City Council or by the laws of the State of California. Further, the Planning Commission shall study and report to the City Council upon any matter referred to it by the City Council and shall keep the City Council currently advised of all matters pending, and shall furnish any special information, reports or materials which the City Council may request. The Planning Commission shall make a final determination as authorized by the Code for the following applications:  Coastal Development, Conditional Use Permit (Major), Tentative Tract Map, Zoning Code Interpretation, Application for project in more than one Community Planning area, and other applications and duties as required by the Code. In addition, the Planning Commission shall make recommendations to the City Council as authorized by the Code for the following applications: General Plan Interpretation, General Plan Amendment, Zoning Code Amendment, Zoning Map Amendment, Specific Plan, and other applications as required by the Code.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMISSION: Four (4) appointments to be made for three-year terms ending March 1, 2029. Terms expiring are:

• Steven Cesnauskas, appointed 02-19-2025, Partial Term
• Sergio Mora, appointed 05-14-2025, Partial Term
• James Morton, appointed 09-27-2023, Term 1
• Harriet Seldin, appointed 02-19-2025, Partial Term

The Public Health and Safety Commission shall consist of seven members who are registered voters of the City and persons appointed serve at the pleasure of the City Council. The Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council, the City departments, and the City’s law enforcement services provider (San Diego Sheriff’s Department), and mental and social services providers by performing the following responsibilities on a continuing basis:

A.       Communicate and cooperate with City departments and the City’s law enforcement services provider (San Diego Sheriff’s Department), individual citizens, and community groups in identifying public health and safety concerns and recommend solutions to the City Council for consideration.

B.       Promote cooperation and encourage coordination between the Commission, the Fire Department, and the City’s law enforcement services provider, and other entities, public and private, who are involved with community safety activities and efforts.

C.       Prepare an annual report to the City Council and to the community on the activities of the Commission.

SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION: Four (4) appointments to be made for three-year terms ending March 1, 2029; and one (1) unscheduled vacancy with a term ending March 1, 2027. Terms expiring are:

• Jesse Hanwit, appointed 02-08-2023, Term 2 – Termed Out
• Karen Koblentz, appointed 02-08-2023, Term 1
• Lambert Ling, appointed 02-08-2023, Term 1
• Maureen Martin, appointed 02-08-2023, Term 1
• Unscheduled Vacancy, term ending March 1, 2027

The Senior Citizen Commission is a seven-member board. The Senior Citizen Commission shall conduct public hearings to gather information and thereafter make recommendations to the City Council on matters regarding services for Senior Citizens which include, without limitation: Policies and plans for the development and operation of programs and services for the benefit of Senior Citizens within the City; policies and plans for developing programs and services in cooperation with other public and private agencies which would benefit Senior Citizens; and such matters that may be referred to the Commission by the City Council.

 URBAN FOREST ADVISORY COMMITTEE*: Four (4) appointments to be made for three-year terms ending March 1, 2029.  Terms expiring are:

• Matthew Altman, appointed 10-09-24, Partial Term
• Brad Lefkowits, appointed 9-27-23, Term 1
• Mim Michelove, appointed 06-11-25, Partial Term
• Linda Schneider, appointed 09-27-23, Term 1

The UFAC is composed of members of the community with interest and expertise in urban forestry.  This group advises and works together with the City Arborist to review and provide comments on City plans and policies related to urban forestry, including updates to the various aspects of the City’s Urban Forest Management Program and Administrative Manual, and, shall among other things: review and provide comments on Tree Plans prior to consideration by the City Council; review and provide comments on the Approved Tree Species Master List prior to consideration by the City Council; review and provide comments to the City Arborist on proposed City Tree removals except in the case of emergency removals; advise City Staff regarding programs of public outreach and education in order to promote public understanding of the City’s urban forest, including programs to celebrate and promote Arbor Day; review and consider Heritage Tree applications in consultation with the City Arborist, and shall make recommendations to the Planning Commission; and review and provide comments to the City Arborist on proposed changes to the City’s Urban Forest Management Program.

*Effective September 27, 2023, Encinitas Municipal Code Section 2.30.020 Terms and Term Limits shall apply to this committee.

General Information (for complete text see Chapter 2.30 of the Municipal Code)

• Persons appointed to a City board, commission, or committee serve at the pleasure of the City Council.
• All Commissions with the exception of the Youth Commission shall have three-year staggered terms of office. The Youth Commission shall have a one-year term of office.
• All Commissions, with the exception of the Youth Commission, shall have term limits of two (2) consecutive full terms of office. After reaching the term limit, a person must sit out one appointment cycle before reapplying to the same City Commission. Upon terming out of one Commission, a person may apply to a different City Commission.
• Commissioners may not serve on more than one commission at a time. Sitting commissioners may apply for vacancies on other commissions, and if so appointed, their prior commission appointment shall automatically terminate.
• A Board, Commission, or Committee Member's term shall be automatically terminated if the member is absent from three (3) consecutive, regular meetings held by the member’s agency.