CHANGES PLANNED FOR PANELS : HEIDT, KLAJIC WEIGH NEW COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

Newly elected council members Jan Heidt and Jill Klajic said Monday that they plan to appoint new members to the city planning and parks commissions.

Two-term incumbent Heidt will choose a replacement for Planning Commissioner Pat Modugno whom she appointed eight years ago. She did not disclose whether she will replace Parks Commissioner Maria Aguilar, whom she appointed Feb. 10, 1994.

Klajic, a former council member who won re-election earlier this month, plans a meeting with City Manager George Caravalho to discuss commission appointments. She said she has not made any decisions.

As former Councilman George Pederson's replacement, Klajic is responsible for his appointees: Planning Commissioner David A. Doughman and Parks Commissioner Todd Longshore.

After an election, council members can appoint one member to each commission, which advise the City Council on development and recreation issues.

To serve a four-year term, commissioners must be appointed by a council member and be approved by the entire five-member council. Heidt said she is replacing Modugno because she wants fresh members on the planning commission.

``His four-year term is up,'' she said. ``He's served on the planning commission eight years.''

Modugno was on a business trip Monday and was unavailable for comment. But a family member said he is eager to complete his term and is looking forward to new challenges.

Klajic said she also wants to see more turnover on the council and commissions. She supports six-year term limits for officeholders.

``I would like term limits imposed for city council members and commissioners,'' she said. ``The way we're doing it now, it's like appointing them and letting them stay on there forever.''

Although Klajic said she hasn't made up her mind, she wants to appoint an environmentalist who will scrutinize more closely projects that could affect the city. The councilwoman said the city Planning Commission is approving projects without questioning their impact on the environment.

``When I was on the council, the Planning Commission would just let a project ride through because they didn't want to deal with the environmental issues,'' she said. ``It's growth, growth, approve, approve. That is what is happening now. They've gotten into a rut, letting the City Council handle the issue.''

In recent months, the council and Planning Commission have tussled over development plans, including the 2,900-home Porta Bella project and a private bridge that would cross the Sand Canyon wash.Last month, the planning commission rejected a request to build the bridge, which is due before the council today.