The Carlsbad Housing Commission on Jan. 9 appointed Commissioner Chang as chair and Commissioner Horton as vice chair for one‑year terms, voting 4–0 in favor during the meeting. The appointments take effect at the commission’s next regular meeting in February.

Christian Gutierrez, a staff member, told the commission the officers’ term is one year and that the newly appointed officers would begin presiding in February. Chair Collins called for nominations and moved to appoint the two commissioners; a motion to appoint Commissioner Chang as chair and Commissioner Horton as vice chair was seconded and the motion passed with four ayes, the clerk announced.

After the vote, Commissioner DeGoroz said he had not understood the motion as presented and said he would have abstained if he had realized the vote covered both positions. DeGoroz said, “I am able to communicate that that was not my understanding on what I was voting on. I would want to change my vote in that case. I would be abstaining or no vote because my understanding on the vote was that we were voting on the vice chair.”

Chair Collins acknowledged the confusion and apologized for not wording the motion more clearly, saying staff and the commission would try to avoid similar problems in the future. Staff said the meeting record would remain as read and that the item was closed; staff also said the commission can review meeting recordings if members request further clarification.

Commissioners discussed the leadership roles beforehand; several members said they were willing to rotate duties and that the chair and vice chair positions provide continuity for meetings. One commissioner noted medical reasons for not seeking an officer role. The commission thanked outgoing leadership and congratulated the newly appointed chair and vice chair.