It used to happen in the spring; the election, the mayoral rotation, the final summing up from the council members on their way out, the swearing -in of the newly elected. Like everything else this year, it was a bit different. On Dec. 14, 2020 the Culver City Council met virtually, with a new twist giving everyone a zoom backdrop that showed the council chamber at city hall as if they were in it. The exceptions were departing council members Meghan Sahli-Wells and Thomas Small, both of whom were broadcasting from their private spaces without the additional scenery.
In offering their farewells to the council, both Sahli-Wells and Small recounted what had mattered most to them, the progress that had been made, and the daunting task of continuing to create progress within the pandemic. Sahli-Wells was at the end of eight years, having reached her term limits. Small declined to run for a second term.
City Clerk Jeremy Green formally ended their service by moving them off the broadcast of the call, and into the audience section.
The swearing-in of the newly elected Yasmine-Imani McMorrin and Albert Vera, Jr. was the familiar oath of office with right hands raised. Council pins were added to lapels, by McMorrin’s brother, and by Vera’s daughter. It’s an emotional moment for candidates who have campaigned long and hard, to cross the finish line at last.
Also seated with the new council was incumbent Goran Eriksson, whose term as mayor was officially ended. His second four year term on the city council will include his previous committee and sub-committee appointments.
Alex Fisch was elevated from Vice Mayor to Mayor, and Daniel Lee was moved in the Vice Mayoralty for the coming year. In his remarks Mayor Fisch said, “Voters have trusted each of us to make decisions based on the values that we demonstrated in our campaigns. And they have told us, once again, that they want the City to continue providing the best basic municipal services possible, and to keep working toward the best Culver City that we can imagine. I’m looking forward to a brighter and more prosperous 2021.”
The city council will meet again in January of 2021.
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