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SGS - ACTION ITEM: Discussion of the Annual Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor and the Biennial Induction of New Council Members.
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Meeting Date: August 6, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Standing Governance Subcommittee (07/31/2025)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (07/24/2025) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Standing Governance Subcommittee discuss the annual election of Mayor and Vice Mayor and the biennial induction of new Council Members and, if desired, make a recommendation to the City Council.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
At the April 30, 2025, Standing Governance Subcommittee Meeting, Member Fish received consensus to agendize a discussion concerning the timing and format of the annual election of Mayor and Vice Mayor and the biennial induction of newly elected Council Members.
Culver City’s Council Policy and Practice
On February 24, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-R011 and City Council Policy No. 3404 (Attachment), which governs the selection and rotation of the Mayor and Vice Mayor. According to Policy 3404, these positions are filled either immediately following the certification of election results, once the installation of new council members has occurred, or at the second Council meeting held twelve months after the prior election. Additionally, the newly elected Mayor shall select a date for the ceremonial community swearing in celebration, to take place within 30 calendar days of the election of the Mayor and Vice Mayor. The policy aligns with the City Charter and applicable laws.
The goal of the December meeting is to be dedicated to the certification of election results, departure of council members whose term has ended and installation of newly elected Council Members during election years and/or the annual election of Mayor and Vice Mayor. The City’s past practice has been to limit such “reorganization” meeting solely to the aforementioned items, with no other items of City business. However, over the years, due to impacted agendas and time sensitive items that have needed to come before the City Council, increasingly there have been times where other items of business have been placed on the reorganization meeting agenda. For example, at the December 8, 2024 City Council Meeting, and in previous December City Council Meetings, the City Council conducted regular Council business, prior to the certification of election results, the departure of outgoing Council Members, the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected Council Members, and the Mayoral Rotation.
Practices of Other Westside Cities
Staff reviewed meeting agendas from the Cities of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood. Key findings are summarized below:
• Beverly Hills (April 2, 2024): The agenda included ceremonial presentations, certification of election results, and Council reorganization (including installation of new members and selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor), with no other substantive business conducted.
• Santa Monica (December 10, 2024): The meeting included recognition of outgoing Council Members, certification of election results, administration of Oaths of Office, and election of new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. No additional Council business was conducted.
• West Hollywood (January 21, 2025): The meeting focused entirely on the reorganization, including administration of Oaths of Office to the incoming Mayor and Vice Mayor, ceremonial presentations, and minimal procedural items (e.g., approval of Minutes and Demand Register).
Overall, these Westside cities conduct no substantive Council business before their respective Council reorganization and changeover.
Next Steps
The Subcommittee may wish to evaluate potential alternatives to Culver City’s current practice of conducting additional Council business prior to the certification of election results and Council reorganization. Any recommended changes would be brought to the full City Council for discussion and consideration.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact to the discussion of this item or any recommendation by the Subcommittee. Depending on the nature of the Subcommittee’s recommendations and subsequent action by the City Council, there may be associated costs, such as additional meeting costs.
ATTACHMENTS
2025-08-06 ATT City of Culver City Council Policy 3404 Regarding Mayoral Rotation