Majority to again rule appointments

Alicia Robinson

Members of the city’s parks and recreation and planning commissions

will once again be appointed by a vote of the full City Council, its

members decided Monday.

In February 2003, the council switched to direct appointments at

the behest of former Councilwoman Libby Cowan, who thought commission

appointments should reflect council members’ views, City Manager

Allan Roeder said.

“The idea, if you will, is that the commissioners should, within a

range, philosophically reflect the opinions of the council,” he said.

“That is not to say that they’re clones, just that they would share

basic, similar viewpoints.”

The council reversed that Monday night and voted 3 to 2 to return

to a majority-vote system for commissioners, with Councilwomen Linda

Dixon and Katrina Foley dissenting.

The council agreed last week to reconsider how it appoints

commission members after some residents said cronyism is more likely

when council members have the power to directly appoint

commissioners.

Dixon wanted to keep the direct-appointment process used by three

out of four cities in Orange County, she said.

“As a council member who’s been elected to represent the city of

Costa Mesa, it’s not my idea to appoint my best friend,” she said. “I

want to appoint someone who will best serve the city of Costa Mesa

and move the city forward.”

The city will take applications for the posts until Dec. 21. If

the ordinance passes a second reading at a Jan. 3 meeting, the

council could consider applicants at its first February meeting.

The interview and voting procedures will be discussed in January.

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers business, politics and the environment.

She may be reached at (714) 966-4626 or by e-mail at

alicia.robinson@latimes.com.