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Council opts for a do-over

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In an effort to correct an error it made last month, the Costa Mesa City Council on Tuesday night approved, in effect, a complete do-over of three Planning Commission appointments.

The council voted 3-2, with Councilmen Steve Mensinger and Gary Monahan dissenting, to rehear the appointment process for two four-year commission terms. Appointing a replacement for Commissioner Edward Salcedo, who resigned last month, was also postponed after a 4-1 vote, with Monahan again dissenting.

The council is scheduled to make all three appointments during its next regular meeting on Feb. 19.

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Councilwoman Sandy Genis had filed a request to rehear the appointment process. The request came a week after the Jan. 15 meeting when the council appointed Jim Fitzpatrick, a former planning commissioner, and Timothy Sesler, an attorney, to fill the four-year terms, and Planning Commission Chairman Colin McCarthy to serve the remainder of Salcedo’s term, which expires February 2015.

The council erred when it appointed McCarthy only a day after Salcedo resigned, the city clerk’s office ruled the Friday after the Jan. 15 meeting. Such an action was not in accordance with state law, which requires a 10-day notice of a commission vacancy, the clerk’s office said.

Salcedo will continue to serve on the commission until his replacement is chosen, said interim City Clerk Brenda Green.

In other council actions, Kim Pederson and Don Harper were appointed for four-year terms on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Byron de Arakal and Robert Graham received two-year terms.

The council also unanimously approved the designation of $125,000 for the city’s 60th anniversary celebration, which will take place later this year.

Dan Joyce, the city’s public affairs manager, said the events may also use the Orange County Fairgrounds property across from City Hall for parking purposes or to host rides.

Mike Sheafer, who heads the volunteer committee in charge of the 60th anniversary celebration, said the Angels are scheduled to recognize the city’s milestone during the team’s Aug. 3 game in Anaheim versus the Toronto Blue Jays.

The council next meets Feb. 12 at 4:30 p.m. for a study session in the council chambers. The session will focus on the city’s mid-year budget review and on city employees’ pensions.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @bradleyzint

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