SAN MARCOS -- The San Marcos City Council met for the first time Tuesday since appointing Rebecca Jones to fill the seat vacated by Jim Desmond when he became mayor in December.

With open political differences still lingering from that meeting, the five-member council set about filling the 20 vacancies for commissioners and alternates on the boards and commissions that advise the council on public policy issues. As mayor, Desmond proposed nominees that were seconded by Vice Mayor Hal Martin.

Several people were reappointed or moved from alternate seats to regular seats, or vice versa, and several first-timers were selected.

Only one applicant was not reappointed: Traffic Safety Commissioner Neill Kovrig, who was chided by Desmond for appearing on a Turko Files television news segment that slammed the city for a parking snafu haunting residents near Cal State San Marcos.

"Why did you go to the Turko Files?" Desmond said.

Kovrig said the Traffic Safety Commission and Planning Commission should communicate more on planning for parking on projects.

"He was actually accusing the city for not doing anything. I said 'yeah, we tried.' The solution is working more with the Planning Commission. I called him as a result of the original story."

"You should not have gone to a TV reporter," Desmond said.

"In the past, the Traffic Commission has asked for more information from the Planning Commission and we haven't gotten it," Kovrig said.

When Desmond failed to nominate Kovrig among the five applicants for the three openings, Councilman Mike Preston, commented: "I have a problem with Mr. Kovrig being punished for speaking out."

Kovrig was also critical of Desmond's handling of Jones' appointment. Prior to nominating Jones, Desmond read from prepared remarks that diversity on the council outweighed the fact that applicant Dean Nelson finished third in the recent council election won by Chris Orlando and Preston.

During Jones' consideration, Orlando recused himself because her husband had given him an in-kind gift of $150. Jones was appointed 2-1 with Preston the sole vote against her.

Often at odds with Desmond, Preston is now a lone dissenter on 4-1 council votes.

Following the Kovrig episode and the Traffic Commission appointments, Preston asked Planning Commission applicant Cindy Wedge who is a Desmond supporter, if she would have a problem speaking out against the council.

"I wouldn't go to a newspaper." she said.

"So you'd stop at a newspaper?" Preston said.

"I'd never gone to a newspaper," she said. "If someone asked my opinion, I'd tell it. Ask me a question Mr. Preston, and I'll tell you my opinion."

Council watchdog and Desmond critic Nina Patterson publicly asked council members to disclose private conversations they may have had with applicants before the meeting.

"You should make that public," she said. "Under the Brown Act, the people's business should be the business of the people. I have a problem with conversations taking place before an appointment."

Martin said he has talked with about two thirds of the people in the room over the last ten years, and hoped to talk to the other third eventually.

Several applicants later noted private conversations with council members about applying for one of the open commission seats. Several said they were steered by Desmond toward applying for a commission seat based on their experience, when they approached him about the open council seat.

City Attorney Helen Holmes Peak said disclosures of private conversations are not required, and that municipal code requires disclosures of monetary contributions of $100 or more if the contributor stands to gain monetarily.

Two appointed commissioners waived their stipends because they had contributed to Desmond's campaign. Others voluntarily disclosed contributing smaller amounts.

"In the interest of full disclosure," I did donate money to Chris Orlando's campaign, said Danny Cohen, who is Orlando's neighbor in San Elijo Hills. "Although I can't remember how much."

"It was $25 Danny, I think you'll be fine," Orlando said.

"I wish you hadn't have said the publicly," he answered.

"Maybe you should apply for the budget review committee," Desmond said.

By the end of the three-hour meeting, the following applicants had been appointed:

- on the Planning Commission; John Lundin, Stephen Kildoo, Cindy Wedge and alternates Enrique Perez and James Schaible. Lundin waived the $50 stipend because he donated more than $100 to Desmond's campaign.

- on the Traffic Safety Commission; Gary Kuhlman, Robert Hendrix and alternate Danny Cohen.

- on Economic Development Corporation; Kenneth Dubs, George Weiner and alternate Thomas Henderson.

- on the San Marcos Community Foundation; Benedict Mical, Elsa Singh, Robin Rafferty and Carole Berwick.

- on the Community Services Commission; Holly Berrett, John Desposito, Kate Kovrig and alternate David Perrine. Kovrig waived the $30 stipend because she contributed to Desmond's campaign.

- and on the Budget Review Committee; Rick Barthel.

- Contact staff writer Ned Randolph at (760) 761-4411 or nrandolph@nctimes.com.