Mayor Jerry Sanders has elected to leave Carl DeMaio off the citizens panel overseeing water and sewer rates increases.
The mayor initially nominated DeMaio as chairman of the Independent Rates Oversight Committee, or IROC. But the council appeared poised to turn down his appointment in July. The Mayor’s Office withdrew the nomination on the day of the confirmation hearings.
Several of the council members said they didn’t think it was appropriate that DeMaio, a candidate for the District 5 City Council seat, be appointed to a city board because it would tempt him to use the position for political purposes.
DeMaio claimed council members opposed his appointment because he has been critical, blaming them for the city’s billion-dollar debts in pension and retiree health care.
The updated panel includes all but two of the original nominees.
Here they are:
- Donald Billings, a financier. Billings, a Torrey Pines resident, would serve as the committee’s municipal finance representative. Sanders also requested Billings serve as chairman.
- Larry Clemens, president of homebuilder Barratt American’s urban division. Clemens, who resides in Rancho Santa Fe, was designated the construction management representative.
- Linda Cocking, a residential property manager. Cocking, who resides in Tierrasanta, was designated the multi-family residential ratepayer representative.
- Jack Kubota, a public health engineer. Kubota, who resides in Carlsbad, was designated the committee’s engineering professional.
- John Nelson, a construction executive. Nelson, who resides in Pacific Beach, was designated as the temporary irrigation and construction representative.
- Barry Newman, an attorney, retired banker and former president of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. Newman, a resident of Escondido, was designated the law professional for the committee.
- Jim Peugh, a wildlife advocate and retired physicist. Peugh, who resides in Point Loma, was designated the environmental representative.
- Charles Richardson, a retired financier and accountant. Richardson, who resides in Carmel Valley, was designated the audit and accounting representative.
- Irene Stallard-Rodriguez, a marketing professional. Stallard-Rodriguez, a San Carlos resident, was designated the single-family ratepayer representative to the panel.
- Todd Webster, a water treatment system engineer. Webster, who lives in Talmadge, was designated the committee’s science professional.
- Gail Welch, energy manager for Qualcomm. Welch, who lives in Carmel Valley, was designated the commercial and industrial ratepayer delegate.