The Del Mar City Council voted July 7 to appoint Michel Maronde to the Undergrounding Program Advisory Committee to serve the remainder of a term that expires on June 30, 2027.
Maronde, the only applicant for the seat, fills a vacancy left by the resignation of Bob Preston two months ago. A Del Mar resident since 1994, Maronde has been a Taco Bell owner and coach of local youth sports teams.
The seven-member committee is responsible for working with city staff to monitor the citywide utility undergrounding project. Each member serves a three-year term.
Councilmember Terry Gaasterland abstained from the vote. She unsuccessfully lobbied the council on postponing an appointment so the city can extend the application period.
“From my point of view I think we should move forward on this,” said Del Mar Deputy Mayor John Spelich, a council liaison to the committee. “We’re going to have another opening real soon and then we can talk about the policy, but it feels wrong to apply some sort of ex post facto policy change on somebody who applied in good faith and is standing before us metaphorically tonight to take this position.”