COSTA MESA : City Council Selects Genis as Mayor

Councilwoman Sandra L. Genis was named mayor this week as the City Council held its reorganization meeting.

Genis, who is serving her second term on the council after being reelected in November, was unanimously approved Monday night for the post by her fellow members. In a related action, Councilman Jay Humphrey was appointed vice mayor.

Genis takes over the city’s top job from Mary Hornbuckle, who relinquished the gavel Monday after serving as mayor for the past two years. Hornbuckle takes a regular council seat.

Genis, a Costa Mesa resident since 1960, won election in 1988 as a slow-growth advocate. During her tenure, she has emerged as an outspoken council member who is willing to go head to head with her opponents.

Genis, a land-use planner, is a strong supporter of the recently adopted General Plan, a blueprint of development in the community, and has vowed to implement it. This was obvious even this week when residents came forward to protest the downzoning of their property.

During her term, Genis has also backed the formation of the Parks, Recreation and Parkways Commission, supported conflict-of-interest laws for council members and development of a master plan for city parks.

She has drawn fire for supporting an effort to slash funding for programs that are not essential, including the arts and some children’s programs.