During the Signal Hill City Council meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14, the council selected a new mayor and vice mayor from among its five members, as it does annually per the city charter.
Effective immediately, Keir Jones is Signal Hill mayor for the next year, replacing Edward Wilson. Tina Hansen is serving as vice mayor, replacing Jones.
This is Jones’s first turn as mayor. He was elected to city council in March 2019, having served as elected city clerk before that.
During the meeting, City Clerk Carmen Brooks began the mayoral selection process by taking council nominations for mayor, noting that nominations didn’t need to be seconded.
Hansen nominated Jones and there were no further nominations. The council unanimously voted for Jones as mayor.
“I’m very excited about the year ahead of us,” Jones said. “We have assembled a great team and I know that together we have a lot to accomplish for our residents—and a lot of exciting things for our future—and I’m looking forward to helping lead the way.”
As new mayor, Jones called for vice mayor nominations. Wilson nominated Hansen and there were no further nominations. The council unanimously voted for Hansen as vice mayor.
“I look forward to working with Keir and helping him lead the city through the next year,” Hansen said.
Council’s mayoral selection process
City Manager Hannah Shin-Heydorn reminded the council of the formal mayoral selection process it initiated in March and agreed to on Nov. 9, codifying a formerly informal practice of giving each council member a chance to be mayor.
She explained that since there are five council members each serving a four-year term, it’s hard to ensure that each member has a chance to serve as both vice mayor and mayor, but that is the council’s goal.
The formalized procedure states that all council members should have an opportunity to serve as vice mayor and mayor during their term and each vice mayor will be appointed mayor after one year.
Each member of the council then advances one step up in the mayoral rotation, with the outgoing mayor rotated to the bottom of the list, Shin-Heydorn said. New members elected to council are placed at the end of the rotation schedule.
“If multiple new members of the city council are elected, their position in the rotation will be based on vote count,” she said.
The council had decided to formalize the procedure after the last two mayor rotations did not go as smoothly as Wednesday’s.
See related story: Who can be mayor of Signal Hill, and when? City Council agrees to proposed schedule
Outgoing mayor Wilson’s service recognized
Jones presented Wilson with a proclamation recognizing his contributions over the past year, noting that Wilson served the office with “authenticity, enthusiasm and dedication.”
The proclamation commends Wilson’s “strong leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jones read, specifically citing providing rent relief, expanding food distribution programs and ensuring online schooling and childcare programs.
“[Wilson stood] in support of persons of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage who experienced a rise in hate crimes related to the geographic origins of COVID-19,” Jones read.
Jones further noted Wilson’s involvement in a private memorial event in June honoring Ron Settles, who died in 1981 while in Signal Hill Police Department custody. Wilson was also instrumental in the council’s November decision to officially recognize June 2 as the annual Ron Settles Day of Remembrance, Jones said.
Wilson further supported a Diversity Coalition Committee (DCC) budget request in May to conduct a citywide survey on diversity, equity and inclusion, Jones noted. Wilson had been instrumental in forming the DCC in July 2020.
Finally, Jones commended Wilson’s continuing involvement in regional governing bodies, such as the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), on which Wilson serves on the Audit Committee and Energy & Environment Committee. Wilson is also on the board of directors for the regional Gateway Cities Council of Governments, Jones noted.
Woods noted that such regional representation is important for a city as small as Signal Hill, which is 2.2 square miles in area.
Jones also commended Wilson for his regional involvement, and his commitment to “inclusion and equality.”
“Ed wants to make sure everyone is visible, everyone has a place at the table,” he said.
Brooks acknowledged Wilson’s leadership and “passion” in sticking with his principles when it comes to Signal Hill.
“You’re not a ‘yes’ man,” Brooks told Wilson. “You’re not afraid to have a dissenting vote, but always in the spirit of what’s best for the city.”
Wilson thanked the council for their “indulgence,” which he said he would expound upon during a mayor’s reception in his honor on Thursday, Dec. 16. He also thanked city staff who work to implement the council’s decisions, and the residents of Signal Hill.
The City of Signal Hill is hosting a reception to honor outgoing mayor Edward Wilson on Thursday, Dec. 16, at 6pm in the Long Beach Fire Association Hall at 2201 Cherry Ave. The public is invited to attend and can RSVP by calling (562) 989-7333.
