The San Diego City Council unanimously approved Monday all of Council President Todd Gloria’s committee chairs and recommendations for 2013.
Gloria selected 5th District Councilmember Mark Kersey to chair a new committee dedicated to fixing streets, roads and sidewalks since potholes are the most frequent complaint city leaders hear from citizens.
“I expect big things from Mr. Kersey,” said Gloria. “No pressure,” he added jokingly.
Kersey, a Republican who was elected after Carl DeMaio didn’t seek re-election, thanked Gloria for naming him to the Infrastructure Committee.
He said the committee would focus on ways to streamline road repairs.
Phil Hart, a frequent Council speaker, told the Council a new list should be made of all the streets needing repairs, saying the current list is out of date.
Gloria kept the chairperson assignments the same for five committees. Second District Councilmember Kevin Faulconer will again chair the Audit Committee which was created three years ago and he has been the chairman each year.
Ninth District Councilmember Marti Emerald will retain her leadership of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. Likewise for David Alvarez on the Natural Resources and Culture Committee, and Lorie Zapf on the Land Use and Housing Committee.
Gloria will continue to be the chair of the Budget and Finance Committee as he has been for the last two years.
First District Councilmember Sherri Lightner was approved as president pro tem and she will run Council meetings if Gloria is absent.
Gloria combined the Rules, Open Government and Intergovernmental Relations Committee with the Economic Development and Strategies Committee and the Council confirmed Lightner as chairperson. It will be called the Rules and Economic Development Committee.
Monday’s meeting was the last Council meeting of the year and they will next meet Jan. 7, 2013.
Fourth District Councilmember Tony Young has resigned to head the local Red Cross chapter and his last day will be Dec. 31. A special election will be held to replace him.
