REGION : Councils Pass the Mayoral Gavel in Leadership Rites

In what has become a spring ritual in many cities, the reins of power are being rotated as new mayors are selected to run meetings and preside over ceremonies for the coming year.

In his inaugural address Tuesday, new Beverly Hills Mayor Allan Alexander pledged to reinvent government with programs that will advance technology and make the city more fiscally responsible.

“I believe technology offers incredible opportunity for solving many of our problems of today,” Alexander said. “And so this year I am dedicating my year as mayor to planning for the city’s future.”

Alexander also promised to use independent audits of city departments, privatization of some programs and a cost-saving employee bonus plan to save money and improve services.

Alexander, who takes over the mayoral post from Councilwoman Vicki Reynolds, also served as mayor of Beverly Hills in 1990. An attorney, Alexander was first elected to the council in 1988, winning reelection in 1992.

On Tuesday, the five-member council elected Councilman Thomas Levyn as vice mayor.

On Monday, Malibu’s City Council rotated the post of mayor from Jeffrey W. Kramer to Councilwoman Joann House. Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Van Horn was succeeded by Councilman John Harlow.

House and Harlow will serve out one-year terms before the positions are rotated again.

The West Hollywood City Council will mark its annual reorganization with a special ceremony Monday night at West Hollywood Park Auditorium.

Councilman John Heilman will take the gavel from Mayor Abbe Land, who will remain on the council. This will be Heilman’s third term as mayor, said City Manager Paul Brotzman.

Councilman Paul Koretz will become mayor pro tem.

In Culver City, a change of leadership is also imminent, with the council preparing to appoint a new mayor Monday night.

Gone from the center seat in the chambers will be Mayor Albert Vera, a fiery Italian immigrant who has thrust the city into the spotlight by, among other things, assembling a number of local cities to push for lower utility rates from Southern California Edison.

His replacement is likely to be Steven Gourley, currently vice mayor, who has been on the council since 1988 and served as mayor during 1990-1991. His term in office expires in 1996.

Often emerging as a swing vote on the council, Gourley is regarded by his colleagues as a level-headed and experienced politician. They credit him for his work on planning and development issues, the most significant being the redesigning and revitalization of downtown.

“He looks at these things with a much broader approach,” Councilman Ed Wolkowitz said. Gourley said he intends to push forward on construction of a new senior center and senior housing. A new police station also is on his agenda.