A historic event occurred at the City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, December 11, as former Vice Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin was unanimously elected the new Mayor by the five sitting council members.
Outgoing Mayor Albert Vera nominated McMorrin, seconded by Council Member Freddy Puza. Any concerns that the accepted spirit of rotation might not be followed due to the current majority, and the fact that Council Member Göran Eriksson was skipped in the past, were quickly dispelled as all five members voted in favor.
The new mayor’s first act was to nominate Dan O’Brien for Vice Mayor, and again that vote was unanimous.
Before the votes, outgoing Mayor Vera said that it’s been an “amazing year,” before listing some of the council’s accomplishments over that period including the opening of Project Homekey and Safe Camping, and the forthcoming unarmed mobile response team for instances of mental health issues when an armed police response isn’t required. That team spoke earlier in the meeting.
Vera ended his speech by saying that the “future is bright” for Culver City. Council Member Puza said that Vera had “represented the city well,” and thanked him for his services to Culver City. Eriksson said that, in leadership, Vera had been “compassionate, intelligent and effective.”
On her first speech as mayor, McMorrin said that she was, “deeply humbled by the significance of this moment,” before thanking Vera for his leadership and guidance.
McMorrin pointed out that she’s the only woman currently on the City Council, that she’s only the sixth woman in the history of this council, and that she’s the youngest to serve.
“I care about the experience of everyone that lives and works in Culver City,” she said. “Everyone does not have the same experience.”
All of the public speakers offered their congratulations to McMorrin and O’Brien, and their gratitude to Vera.
