HUNTINGTON BEACH : Mayoral-Succession Proposal Faces Loss

City Councilman Jim Silva confirmed Thursday that he will switch his vote Monday and thus probably kill a proposed ordinance allowing automatic succession of council members to the position of mayor.

“I have no problem about changing my vote,” Silva said. “I really had reservations about voting the way I did the first time, immediately after I had voted.”

Silva said he had not been pressured into changing his stance.

The mayor is currently chosen from among the council members by a majority vote of the seven-member council. The mayor serves a one-year term. The major advantages of holding the largely ceremonial position are that the mayor serves as the presiding officer at council meetings and also as the primary spokesperson for the city in many matters.

Political deals have often influenced votes for mayor, several council members have said.

Last week the City Council gave 4-3 passage to the first reading of a proposed ordinance requiring that the mayor pro tem, or vice mayor, automatically succeed the mayor at the close of the mayor’s one-year term. The ordinance also provided that council members would advance to mayor pro tem based on their length of service.

Peter M. Green, sponsor of the ordinance, argued that the measure would give each council member “the opportunity to serve as mayor.”

The current City Council frequently splits on development matters, with council members Green and Grace Winchell forming the so-called “slow-growth wing.” Green this year unexpectedly was elected mayor pro tem by fellow council members. He would become mayor automatically next year if the proposed ordinance were to pass.

Green has charged that Silva was lobbied to change his vote on the mayoral succession ordinance. But Silva denied that charge Thursday.

“I wasn’t promised anything, and I haven’t been pressured,” Silva said.