Council Appoints Seven to Vacant Board and Commission Spots

The South San Francisco city council held a special meeting Tuesday evening to interview and appoint applicants to the city’s boards and commissions.

Seven separate board and commission positions were filled. Four incumbents will return to their seats, and the Housing Authority, Personnel Board and Cultural Arts Commission will induct at least one new member.

Rudy Bertolozzi, a member of the Personnel Board for eight years, will serve his final term on the board and be joined by newly appointed member, Jeannette Acosta.

“I’ve had the opportunity since I retired to have more free time,” Bertolozzi said. “I was asked to be part of the Personnel Board, and I’ve learned quite a bit from it. I wanted to continue that, and I just enjoy it. It’s a learning process to me, and it keeps me alert to know what’s happening in the city.”

The primary function of the Personnel Board is to advise the city council in matters concerning city personnel, such as changes in employment and work grievances.

The Library Board saw the reappointment of both its vice president and secretary for their second terms, as Robert Turnberg and Pat FitzPatrick both returned to their posts.

“I enjoy what I’m doing and I think the library is an extremely important institution in the city,” said Turnberg, the board's vice president. “It’s kind of a community center, and I’m also a retired teacher, so the two kind of go hand-in-hand.”

“I think I’m good for the Library Board because of my lifelong love for books and literacy,” said secretary FitzPatrick with a chuckle. “It’s a good fit to work between the library personnel and the city council, and also through organizations.”

The Library Board is responsible for advising City Council on services and programs needed at the , as well as developing plans of service for the library.

The Housing Authority, responsible for approving any work done to the city and overseeing lease agreements and contracts, reappointed Board Commissioner Natalie Gore and filled a vacant tenant seat with first-term appointee Melinda Murillo.

The Cultural Arts Commission, which advises the council on arts and cultural affairs, as well as promotes cultural arts activities within the city, added first-termer Vincent Concepcion.