Chula Vista City Councilman and former Mayor Steve Padilla was appointed to the California Coastal Commission Thursday by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood.
Padilla, who served on the coastal panel from 2005-07, will replace Supervisor Greg Cox, whose four-year term expired. He has also served on the Port of San Diego’s governing board.
“Commissioner Padilla brings a unique combination of experience and forward thinking that will help the commission exercise its critical role,” Rendon said. “I am also pleased that this appointment brings an increased diversity to the commission, which will help it better represent all Californians.”
The Democrat, Chula Vista’s mayor from 2006-06, will fill a seat that’s set aside for a local elected officials in San Diego County. Escondido City Councilwoman Olga Diaz serves as an alternate.
Padilla’s return to elective office stalled in 2014 when he lost a Chula Vista City Council race to John McCann by a mere two votes out of almost 37,000 cast, and a recount didn’t change the results. He won a council election last year, though.
Coastal commissioners receive $50 per meeting and $12.50 per hour in preparation, not to exceed eight hours per meeting, as well as actual and necessary expenses.
–City News Service