MEETING DATE:
JANUARY 13, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
APPOINTMENTS TO CITY BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
APPOINT individuals to positions on City Boards, Committees and Commissions.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not applicable.
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Good Governance
Introduction
The City Council has established boards and commissions to assist with various functions of the City. The roles of the boards and commissions vary from making decisions to making recommendations to the City Council. These boards and commissions consist of individuals who meet certain criteria outlined in bylaws, the San Marcos Municipal Code, or resolution. The City Council has the opportunity every year to review the vacant and expiring positions with the opportunity to appoint new individuals to serve in those positions. Commission terms range from two (2) to four (4) years. Pursuant to Government Code Section 1302, “every officer whose term has expired shall continue to discharge the duties of his/her office until his/her successor has qualified” and been appointed by the City Council.
As part of the board and commission appointment process, the City enables and ensures all citizens of the City, pursuant to the Maddy Act (Act), have equal access to specific and current information about the many local regulating and advisory boards, commissions, and committees. The Act provides citizens equal opportunity to be informed of vacancies which shall occur, so that they may pursue, participate in, and contribute to the operations of local government by serving on such boards, commissions and committees. In compliance with the Act, the notice of vacancies was posted on the City’s website. The application period was from November 10, 2025 to December 22, 2025. The City Clerk’s Office received a total of 16 applications for Commission vacancies. Applications were then screened by the City Clerk’s Office to ensure that eligibility requirements met each respective board’s governing documents. Qualified applicants were invited to attend the January 13, 2026, City Council meeting to be interviewed and to provide an opportunity to speak to their qualifications for service.
Discussion
The City Council has the opportunity to annually consider making appointments to various City boards, committees, and commissions. The Council is reminded that for those appointments which carry a stipend, the provisions of San Marcos Municipal Code Chapter 2.16 (Controls on Campaign Contributions) restrict Council Member action on campaign contributors of $500 or more. See section 2.16.070. In the event an applicant has made such a contribution to a Council Member within the last 12 months, that Council Member must state the financial disqualification on the record and must then leave the dais during any action and consideration concerning that candidate. Alternatively, if the potential conflict is known in advance, the applicant in question can waive the stipend; a form for such a waiver is available from the City Clerk.
The Mayor is the appointing authority with approval from the City Council as delineated in the Municipal Code or by City Council Resolution for the following commissions:
• Parks and Recreation Commission - SMMC Section 9.08.040
• Traffic Commission - SMMC Section 12.08.070
• Planning Commission - SMMC Section 20.100.060
Committees where the Mayor is specifically identified as the appointing authority:
• Community Foundation - Resolution No. 87-2706
Committees with either General City Council appointment authority, or unspecified appointment authority:
• Climate Action Plan Working Group - Resolution No. 2020-8820
Following is a list of vacancies:
|
Commission/Committee/Board |
Term (Years) |
Vacancies |
|
Climate Action Plan Working Group |
2 |
1 Regular |
|
Parks & Recreation Commission |
4 |
1 Regular, 1 Alternate |
|
Planning Commission |
2 |
4 Regular, 2 Alternates |
|
San Marcos Community Foundation |
2 |
2 Regular |
As noted above, Government Code Section 1302 provides that “every officer whose term has expired shall continue to discharge the duties of his/her office until his/her successor has qualified” and been appointed by the City Council.
The following is a list of the commission, committee and board vacancies with term, stipend (if any), and qualifications for serving in that position. Qualified applicants are listed below alphabetically.
Climate Action Plan Working Group: One (1) Regular scheduled vacancy; 2-year term - term expires 12/31/2027.
• Qualifications: Applicant must reside within city limits and be a qualified elector, with a preference of at least 2 members having had experience in the power, electricity, and/or renewable energy fields.
• Commissioner whose term expired is Rebecca Rosaler (Regular-Expired).
• Stipend per meeting: None
Applicants:
|
Arturo Rico (3rd Choice) |
Rebecca Rosaler (reapplying) |
Parks and Recreation Commission: One (1) Regular and one (1) Alternate scheduled vacancy; 4-year term - new term expires 12/31/2029.
• Qualifications: Applicant must reside within city limits and be a qualified elector
• Commissioners whose terms expired are Jay Franklin (Regular-Expired) and Angelica Garcia (Alternate-Expired).
• Stipend per meeting: $60 Chair / $30 all other members
Applicants:
|
Angelica Garcia (reapplying) |
Arturo Rico (2nd Choice) |
|
Jay Franklin (reapplying) |
Lindsey Smith (1st Choice) |
|
Marie Marcinko (2nd Choice) |
Rebecca Rosaler (3rd Choice) |
|
Ryan Gardiner (3rd Choice) |
|
Planning Commission: Four (4) Regular and two (2) Alternate scheduled vacancies; 2-year term - new term expires 12/31/2027.
• Qualifications: Applicant must reside within city limits and be a qualified elector
• Commissioners whose terms expired are Arturo Rico (Alternate-Expired), Fatima Guerrero (Regular-Expired), Kevin Norris (Regular-Expired), Lionel Saulsberry (Regular-Expired), Marie Marcinko (Alternate-Expired), and Michael Barnett (Regular-Expired).
• Stipend per meeting: $100 Chair / $50 all other members
Applicants:
|
Alison Stanton (1st Choice) |
Arturo Rico (reapplying) |
|
Fatima Guerrero (reapplying) |
John Wider (1st Choice) |
|
Kevin Norris (reapplying) |
Lindsey Smith (2nd Choice) |
|
Lionel Saulsberry (reapplying) |
Marie Marcinko (reapplying) |
|
Michael Barnett (reapplying) |
Ryan Gardiner (1st Choice) |
San Marcos Community Foundation: Two (2) Regular scheduled vacancies; 2-year term - new term expires 12/31/2027.
• Qualifications: Applicant must reside within city limits or have a business in San Marcos and be a qualified elector.
• Commissioners whose terms expired are Carol Gendel (Regular-Expired) and Robert Crain (Regular-Expired).
• Stipend per meeting: None
Applicants:
|
Carol Gendel (reapplying) |
Eliza King (1st Choice) |
|
Katie Croskrey (1st Choice) |
Lindsey Smith (3rd Choice) |
|
Rebecca Rosaler (2nd Choice) |
Ryan Gardiner (2nd Choice) |
Fiscal Impact
The Fiscal Year 2025-26 stipends and membership costs have been budgeted in the General Fund (100) in the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operations and Maintenance Budget. Future stipends and memberships costs will continue to be budgeted in the General Fund.
Attachment(s)
2026 Commission Applicants and Attendance List
Applications and Statements
Prepared by: Micki Olinger Chavez, Deputy City Clerk
Reviewed by: Phillip Scollick, City Clerk
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager