New mayor to focus on energy

In a night of new leadership, the Huntington Beach City Council voted in a new mayor, a new mayor pro tem, and an interim city administrator to head city staff until a replacement for City Administrator Penny Culbreth-Graft is found.

In an annual passing of the gavel Monday night, council members voted Councilwoman Debbie Cook in as new mayor by a voice affirmation, swearing in Councilman Keith Bohr in as mayor pro tem, who will lead council meetings when Cook is absent.

Later in the evening, the council voted to sign a contract with Deputy City Administrator Paul Emery to take over his boss’ job as the city looks for someone to fill the spot permanently.

Outgoing Mayor Gil Coerper praised his replacement.

“I respect her energy, enthusiasm and dedication to strong principles,” Coerper said. “I know the city will be in good hands with her as our mayor.”

Cook signaled that she intended to press hard during her mayoral term for her priorities of energy and water conservation.

Cook praised the council’s signing of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement this year, and said there was more to come, including a green energy fair in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and new green building standards coming out of the Planning Commission.

“I would like to say just a few words about an approaching opportunity we cannot afford to pass up, the opportunity to address the energy constraints of the future,” she said. “Our insatiable appetite for fossil fuels is reaching a physical limit. Local government needs to think creatively about how we will provide municipal services in an energy-constrained world.”

Doing so would take cooperation between business, government and the community, she added.

After Cook and Bohr took their offices, the council voted 7-0 to approve a contract with Emery. His position was announced that day in the wake of a closed session the council held Friday, after which they directed City Atty. Jennifer McGrath to negotiate a deal with him.

Culbreth-Graft, announced last month that she is leaving for a new post in Colorado Springs in January, citing family reasons and a desire to face new challenges.