Los Al To Get New Mayor, Councilmembers

Los Alamitos will see a new face, and a familiar face, on its leadership team starting next week.

Following their recent election victories, newcomer Richard Murphy and former Mayor Dean Grose will take City Council office at a ceremony on Monday.

The night will also see the departure of Councilman Ken Stephens and longtime councilmember and current Mayor Pro Tem Marilynn Poe.

Current Mayor Troy Edgar and Councilmembers Warren Kusumoto and Gerri Graham-Mejia will continue their four-year terms.

The absence of Poe and Stephens -- who along with Edgar, formed a council majority that often voted together -- will mean a shift in the political make-up of the often-divided council.

The City Council will also a select a new mayor and mayor pro tem.

Unlike some cities that choose the mayor through an election – New York and Los Angeles, for example – the Los Alamitos City Council selects the mayor from their own ranks.

The new incoming councimembers were the two highest vote getters in the November election, defeating opposing candidates Stephens and local realtor Demi Devaney.

Other business

-- Officials will vote whether to award a construction contract to renovate 30 handicapped ramps in the city, as well as remove and replace curbs, gutters and several driveways on Walnut Street, Chestnut Street and Florista Street in Old Town West.

Of the companies that submitted bids for the project, city staff recommends Sequel Contractors receve the contract. The cost estimate is about $400,000.

The item is part of the consent calendar (the list of items that are voted on without discussion unless a councilmember, staffer or resident pulls them for discussion), and the meeting begins at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Click here to download the agenda for the evening.