Vacancy on Costa Mesa parks panel may be filled Tuesday
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Costa Mesa City Council members are scheduled Tuesday to select a person to fill a vacant seat on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, which has been at less than full strength for more than a month.
Twelve applicants have thrown their hats in the ring to join the five-member advisory commission.
Candidates who will be considered for the post are Robert “Bob” Banka, Kristina Marie “Krissie” Bogner, Rachel Correll, Leah Ersoylu, Jason Kensey, Robert Knapp, Terrell Koken, Julie Mercurio, Gary Parkin, Elizabeth Dolan Scott, Anna Vrska and Robert Werbe.
Three votes of the five-member council are needed to approve an appointment.
Whoever is chosen will serve the remainder of the term of Commissioner Don Harper, who resigned in April. The term expires in February.
Parks and recreation commissioners receive a $100 monthly stipend.
Election issues
Council members also will vote on whether to officially place three resident-sponsored initiatives — two related to medical marijuana and one concerning growth — on the ballot for the Nov. 8 election.
The council votes are largely formalities, as each of the initiatives has already received enough petition signatures to go before voters. The council action would finalize placing the items on the ballot.
The two proposed medical marijuana initiatives would allow a small number of dispensaries — either four or eight — to open in the city. Both also propose a 6% tax on medical marijuana businesses.
Costa Mesa has banned such dispensaries since 2005.
The growth initiative, sponsored by the group Costa Mesa First, would require local voters to approve some larger development projects in town.
Projects that would need voters’ OK include those requiring a general plan amendment or zoning change that also would entail construction of 40 or more dwelling units or at least 10,000 square feet of commercial space or generate more than 200 average daily vehicle trips.
Adding the three initiatives to the ballot will cost about $30,000, according to city estimates.
Council members voted previously to draft city-sponsored medical marijuana and growth initiatives to compete with the ones pushed by local residents, but those measures haven’t been released.
Tuesday’s council meeting will start at 5:45 p.m. at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive.
Twitter: @LukeMMoney
