User:Reppop/lacc pres
President of the Los Angeles City Council | |
---|---|
since September 20, 2024 | |
Member of | Los Angeles City Council |
Appointer | Elected by members of the City Council |
Inaugural holder | Jacob Frankenfield |
Formation | February 25, 1889 |
Deputy | Bob Blumenfield (President pro tempore) (Assistant president pro tempore) |
The President of the Los Angeles City Council serves as the presiding officer of the Los Angeles City Council since its creation in 1889. They chair meetings, assign council members to committees, and manage parliamentary procedures, including ruling on motions. In the absence of the mayor from the city, the president assumes the role of acting mayor. Since the shift in election years in 2020, the president is normally elected during the first scheduled council meeting in January of even-numbered years.
History
[edit]Common Council
[edit]The office of the President of the Los Angeles City Council was established on April 4, 1850 as the President of the Los Angeles Common Council, alongside the office of the Mayor of Los Angeles, under The Act of Incorporation, as the city grew from a remote town of 5,000 residents to a city of 15,000 residents. The first president of the Common Council was David W. Alexander, who held the position from its inception until he resigned on September 25, 1851.
From December 18, 1874, to December 5, 1878, the Mayor also acted as the president of the council, with Prudent Beaudry, Frederick Alexander MacDougall, and Bernard Cohn serving in both offices.
During this time, three presidents have acted as acting mayors of Los Angeles due to vacancies: Manuel Requena in 1855 and 1866, Wallace Woodworth in 1860-61, and Bernard Cohn in 1878.
Creation of the city council
[edit]New city charter
[edit]The office gained significant scrutiny following the 2022 scandal involving then-Council President Nury Martinez. In a leaked audio recording, Martinez made offensive, racist remarks and discussed manipulating the city's redistricting process for political gain. After intense public pressure, Martinez resigned from her role as council president on October 10, 2022, and two days layer, she also resigned as a councilmember. After Martinez resigned, Mitch O'Farrell, as president pro tempore, became acting council president, removing Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo from their committee assignments due to their involvement in the scandal.[1][2] O'Farrell was later replaced by Paul Krekorian, who focused on reforming the city’s ethics standards and voting rules in response to the controversy.[3]
Role and powers
[edit]The President and the President pro tempore are elected by the members of the city council after the seating of the newly elected council members, typically right after the new members are seated. However, the council can change its leadership at any time with a majority of votes. The president has the authority to set the agenda, determine the makeup of each council committee, and set the tone for the council's relationship with the mayor. Additionally, the president has the power to decide when and how policy proposals are vetted at public meetings.[4][5]
If the Mayor of Los Angeles is out of the city, incapacitated, or the office is vacant, the council president becomes acting mayor. If both the mayor and the council president are unavailable, the president pro tempore assumes the role of acting mayor.[6] If the council president becomes incapacitated, the president pro tempore becomes interim President until a new election.[7]
List of presidents
[edit]List of presidents pro tempore
[edit]Portrait | Name Council district–Residence (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Party | Assistant President Pro Tempore Party |
President Party |
Notes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Term start | Term end | |||||||||
Earl C. Gay 6th–Chesterfield Square (1902–1972) |
July 1, 1943 | June 30, 1945 | Republican | |||||||
L. E. Timberlake 6th–West Park Terrace (1896–1973) |
July 1, 1949 | June 30, 1953 | Democratic | |||||||
Harold A. Henry 4th–Windsor Square (1895–1966) |
July 1, 1955 | June 30, 1961 | Republican | |||||||
Edward R. Roybal 9th–Boyle Heights (1916–2005) |
June 30, 1961 | December 31, 1962 | Democratic | |||||||
Vacant December 31, 1962 – July 1, 1963 | ||||||||||
Rosalind W. Wyman 5th–Bel Air (1930–2022) |
July 1, 1963 | June 30, 1965 | Democratic | Vacant July 1, 1965 – June 30, 1981 |
L. E. Timberlake Democratic | |||||
Thomas D. Shepard 3rd–Woodland Hills (1925–2012) |
July 1, 1965 | June 30, 1967 | Republican | |||||||
John S. Gibson Jr. 15th–San Pedro (1902–1987) |
July 1, 1967 | June 30, 1969 | Democratic | |||||||
Billy G. Mills 8th–Jefferson Park (born 1929) |
July 1, 1969 | June 30, 1973 | Democratic | John S. Gibson Jr. Democratic |
||||||
Robert J. Stevenson 13th–Hollywood (1915–1975) |
July 1, 1973 | June 30, 1975 | Democratic | |||||||
John Ferraro 4th–Hancock Park (1924–2001) |
July 1, 1975 | June 30, 1977 | Democratic | |||||||
Joel Wachs 2nd–Studio City (born 1939) |
July 1, 1977 | June 30, 1981 | Republican | Ernani Bernardi Democratic |
John Ferraro Democratic |
|||||
Peggy Stevenson 13th–Hollywood (1924–2014) |
July 1, 1981 | June 30, 1985 | Democratic | Joel Wachs Republican |
||||||
Pat Russell Democratic | ||||||||||
Joan Milke Flores 15th–San Pedro (1936–2020) |
July 1, 1985 | June 30, 1987 | Republican | |||||||
Marvin Braude 11th–Brentwood (1920–2005) |
July 1, 1987 | June 30, 1995 | Democratic | John Ferraro Democratic |
||||||
Joan Milke Flores Republican | ||||||||||
Richard Alatorre Democratic | ||||||||||
Joel Wachs 2nd–Studio City (born 1939) |
July 1, 1995 | June 30, 1999 | Independent | Mike Hernandez Democratic |
||||||
Ruth Galanter Democratic | ||||||||||
Ruth Galanter 6th–Venice (born 1941) |
July 1, 1999 | June 30, 2001 | Democratic | Rudy Svorinich Republican |
||||||
Vacant April 17, 2001 – June 30, 2001 | ||||||||||
Mark Ridley-Thomas 8th–Leimert Park (born 1954) |
July 1, 2001 | December 1, 2002 | Democratic | Cindy Miscikowski Democratic |
Alex Padilla Democratic |
[G]
| ||||
Vacant December 1, 2002 – July 1, 2003 | ||||||||||
Cindy Miscikowski 11th–Brentwood (born 1948) |
July 1, 2003 | June 30, 2005 | Democratic | Eric Garcetti Democratic |
||||||
Wendy Greuel 2nd–Studio City (born 1961) |
July 1, 2005 | June 30, 2009 | Democratic | Tony Cárdenas Democratic |
||||||
Jan Perry Democratic |
Eric Garcetti Democratic | |||||||||
Jan Perry 9th–Miracle Mile (born 1955) |
July 1, 2009 | November 2, 2011 | Democratic | Dennis Zine Independent |
[H] | |||||
Vacant November 2, 2011 – January 3, 2012 | ||||||||||
Ed Reyes 1st–Mount Washington (born 1959) |
January 3, 2012 | June 30, 2013 | Democratic | Tom LaBonge Democratic |
Herb Wesson Democratic |
|||||
Mitchell Englander 12th–Granada Hills (born 1970) |
July 1, 2013 | December 31, 2018 | Republican | [I] | ||||||
Nury Martinez Democratic | ||||||||||
Vacant December 31, 2018 – January 15, 2019 | ||||||||||
Nury Martinez 6th–Sun Valley (born 1973) |
January 15, 2019 | January 5, 2020 | Democratic | Joe Buscaino Democratic |
[J] | |||||
Joe Buscaino 15th–San Pedro (born 1974) |
January 5, 2020 | September 21, 2021 | Democratic | David Ryu Democratic |
Nury Martinez Democratic |
[K]
| ||||
Vacant December 14, 2020 – June 20, 2023 | ||||||||||
Vacant September 21, 2021 – October 1, 2021 | ||||||||||
Mitch O'Farrell 13th–Echo Park (born 1960) |
October 1, 2021 | October 25, 2022 | Democratic | [36][M] | ||||||
Vacant October 10, 2022 – October 18, 2022 | ||||||||||
Paul Krekorian Democratic | ||||||||||
Curren Price 9th–South Park (born 1950) |
October 25, 2022 | June 13, 2023 | Democratic | [39][N] | ||||||
Vacant June 13, 2023 – June 20, 2023 | ||||||||||
Marqueece Harris-Dawson 8th–West Park Terrace (born 1950) |
June 20, 2023 | September 20, 2024 | Democratic | Bob Blumenfield Democratic |
[41] |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Works resigned from the City Council to focus on his campaign for the U.S. Senate.[9]
- ^ Conwell died on December 15, 1917, while returning from Phoenix, Arizona. In response, Frank L. Cleaveland, who was Acting Mayor, ordered a conference to decide on a course of action to elect a new President and appoint a new council member to finish Conwell's term.[15][16]
- ^ Ferraro passed away on April 17, 2001, due to cancer of the spleen.[25][26] Ruth Galanter, who was President Pro Tempore, served as acting president until Padilla was elected to the position on June 4, 2001.[27][28]
- ^ Padilla resigned from his position on the after being elected to the California State Senate.
- ^ Martinez resigned as council president and later as a council member after a audio recording was leaked involving her and two other council members.[29] President pro tempore Mitch O'Farrell became acting president until the election of Paul Krekorian.[30]
- ^ Krekorian will resign on September 20, 2024, to allow Harris-Dawson, elected on May 28, 2024, to have a smooth transition due to term limits.[31]
- ^ Ridley-Thomas resigned as a councilmember to become a California State Assemblymember.
- ^ Perry resigned as President pro tempore, citing dissatisfaction with the negotiations over the council presidency and the process for redrawing council district boundaries.[33]
- ^ Englander resigned as pro tempore and as a councilmember to take a job with the Oak View Group.[34]
- ^ Martinez resigned as pro tempore to become the Council President after Herb Wesson resigned to run for Los Angeles County Supervisor.
- ^ Buscaino resigned as pro tempore to focus on his run for Mayor, amid efforts to oust him due to "disparaging remarks" about other members. O'Farrell was elected on September 28.[35][36]
- ^ Ryu was defeated by Nithya Raman in the city council election, leaving the office vacant until Blumenfield was elected on June 20, 2023.[37][38]
- ^ O'Farrell resigned as pro tempore to ensure a smooth transition with Price, who had previously interested in become President after Martinez's resignation.[39]
- ^ Price resigned as pro tempore following charges of embezzlement and perjury.[40]
References
[edit]- ^ Barragan, Rubi (October 14, 2022). "Mitch O'Farrell on the latest at LA City Council". Spectrum News.
- ^ "Two LA city council members have lost their committee positions over race scandal". NPR. October 17, 2022.
- ^ Newton, Jim (May 30, 2024). "Los Angeles politicians take rare steps to limit their power and boost public confidence – sort of". CalMatters.
- ^ Zahniser, David; Smith, Dakota (May 18, 2024). "Behind the scenes, the search for the next L.A. City Council president is under way". Los Angeles Times.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Smith, Dakota (December 3, 2019). "Nury Martinez chosen as first Latina president of the L.A. City Council". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b "Council names new president". Southwest Topics-Wave. Vol. 42, no. 49. July 4, 1963. p. 1.
- ^ Sonenshein, Raphael J. (2006). Los Angeles: Structure of a City Government (PDF). Los Angeles: League of Women Voters of Los Angeles. ISBN 0-9668991-1-3.
- ^ "High Man on List May Be Elected to Council Presidency". Los Angeles Herald. Vol. 37, no. 42. November 12, 1909. p. 1.
- ^ "Resigns Position to Run for Senate". Fresno Evening Herald. Vol. 42, no. 68. March 22, 1910. p. 8.
- ^ "Works Resigns; Lusk President". Los Angeles Herald. Vol. 37, no. 173. March 23, 1910. p. 5.
- ^ Guinn, James Miller (1915). A History of California and an Extended History of Los Angeles and Environs. Historic Record Company. p. 554.
- ^ "Old Council Meets in the City Hall for the Last Time Today". Los Angeles Herald. Vol. 39, no. 78. December 26, 1911. p. 2.
- ^ "9 Departments to Rule City Agreed On". Los Angeles Herald. Vol. 39, no. 230. June 26, 1913. p. 9.
- ^ "Betkouski is Voted Head of Council". Los Angeles Herald. Vol. 41, no. 195. June 19, 1915. p. 1.
- ^ "L. A. Council President Expires". Los Angeles Herald. Vol. 43, no. 38. December 15, 1917. p. 1.
- ^ a b "New Member of Council, True; Farmer, Pres". San Pedro Daily News. January 4, 1918. p. 1.
- ^ "Workmen to be President of New Council". San Pedro News Pilot. Vol. 6, no. 216. June 12, 1919. p. 1.
- ^ "Los Angeles Labor Wins". Labor Clarion. Vol. 10, no. 20. July 7, 1921. p. 13.
- ^ "Boyle Workman is Elected Head of New City Council". San Pedro News Pilot. July 3, 1923. p. 1.
- ^ "Committees in Council Will Be Fixed Soon". San Pedro Daily News. Vol. 25, no. 119. June 25, 1927. p. 6.
- ^ "Davis President of City Council". Eagle Rock Advertiser. Vol. 6, no. 16. July 3, 1933.
- ^ "Burns Elected Council President". San Pedro News Pilot. Vol. 16, no. 101. July 1, 1943. p. 1.
- ^ "Moore Elected City Council President". San Pedro News Pilot. Vol. 18, no. 102. July 2, 1945. p. 1.
- ^ "New City Council at Helm Today". Los Angeles Daily News. July 2, 1951. p. 13.
- ^ Woo, Elaine (April 18, 2001). "John Ferraro, Longtime City Council Leader, Dies". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "John Ferraro, 76, President Of Los Angeles City Council". The New York Times. April 20, 2001.
- ^ a b Daunt, Tina (July 4, 2001). "Alex Padilla, 28, Defeats Galanter to Become President of City Council". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Whitaker, Barbara (July 7, 2001). "PUBLIC LIVES; A Quick Climb Up the Los Angeles Political Ladder". The New York Times.
- ^ Antczak, John (October 10, 2022). "Los Angeles Council president resigns after racist remarks". Associated Press.
- ^ Cowan, Jill; Hubler, Shawn (October 12, 2022). "Los Angeles City Councilwoman Resigns Amid Uproar Over Racist Remarks". The New York Times.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Marqueece Harris-Dawson to become LA City Council's next president". NBC Los Angeles. May 28, 2024.
- ^ "Miscikowski Gets Leadership Role". Los Angeles Times. July 14, 2001.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Perry
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Reyes, Emily Alpert; Zahniser, David (October 11, 2018). "L.A. City Councilman Mitchell Englander to vacate his seat". Los Angeles Times.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Zahniser, David (September 28, 2021). "L.A. Council reshuffles leadership team, giving Mitch O'Farrell its No. 2 post". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b "Councilman Mitch O'Farrell Elected President Pro Tempore Of LA City Council". CBS News. September 28, 2021.
- ^ Zahniser, David (November 6, 2020). "Urban planner Nithya Raman unseats Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Folven, Edwin (June 21, 2023). "Harris-Dawson elevated to new City Council leadership role". Beverly Press.
- ^ a b "Curren Price nominated to serve as president pro tempore of LA City Council". CBS News. October 21, 2022.
- ^ Queally, James; Wick, Julia; Smith, Dakota (June 13, 2023). "L.A. City Councilmember Curren Price charged with embezzlement and perjury". Los Angeles Times.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "LA City Council has a new president pro tempore, replacing Curren Price". CBS News. June 20, 2023.