Encinitas council fills three commission vacancies; two appointments draw 4–1 votes

Encinitas — The City Council on Wednesday filled three unscheduled vacancies on advisory commissions and discussed the role and timing of commission work in the municipal budget cycle.

After staff introduced applicants, Mayor Bruce Aers nominated Dan Hair for the Parks & Recreation Commission. The council voted to appoint Hair to a partial term; the motion carried 4–1, with Council Member Joyce Lines voting no. In nominating Tanya Bell to the Public Health & Safety Commission, the council cited Bell’s nursing, criminal‑justice and emergency‑management experience; that appointment passed unanimously. The council also appointed Steven Lord to the Senior Commission to a partial term; that motion carried 4–1 with Lines again opposing.

Council members thanked all applicants and encouraged those not appointed to stay involved; staff noted that additional openings will arise in the coming year. During the discussion, councilmembers reiterated that commissions’ purview is generally tied to corresponding elements of the city’s general plan and encouraged commissioners to present early work plans in time for budget considerations.

Votes and notes: The parks and senior commission appointments passed with 4–1 tallies (Lines opposed in both cases); the public‑health appointment was unanimous. These are interim partial terms that do not count toward a full term, and staff said more vacancies will be available in the next round of appointments.

What’s next: Appointees will be seated to their partial terms; staff will continue recruiting and update the council when additional vacancies open.