Mike Davitt named La Cañada’s next mayor, outgoing Pieroni and Brown thanked for service
La Cañada city officials bid an appreciative farewell Tuesday night to departing Mayor Len Pieroni and Mayor Pro Tem Greg Brown, appointing Councilman Mike Davitt as mayor during an online-only reorganization meeting — another new normal courtesy of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pieroni used his final moment on the dais to express gratitude to city employees as well as wife Brenda and the many friends and family who rallied around him following a stroke in late December.
“I’d like to thank those who have supported me as I recover from my stroke — the kind words and prayers have been, and are still, inspirations for me,” said the outgoing mayor, sharing highlights from his five-year tenure.
“I’ve been fortunate to be a part of this group,” Pieroni continued. “And I hope my contributions have left this city better than [it was] when I started.”
Tuesday’s regular meeting was a first, in that participants had to forgo their traditional send-off to departing council members, which often includes remarks and commendations from local and regional dignitaries and a slew of (sometimes comical) gifts and recognitions from city staff.
City Manager Mark Alexander said the festivities may take place later this year.
“We’re hoping to schedule, at an appropriate time, an appropriate recognition,” Alexander told council members, adding some items of recognition were “locked up at the trophy shop,” due to shelter-in-place restrictions.
City Clerk Tania Moreno remotely swore in new council members Keith Eich and Rick Gunter and delivered oaths of office to incumbent and election winner Terry Walker and Davitt, who was appointed to finish out a two-year term in an uncontested race.
All four members shared their appreciation for the community, the civic process and work of the City Council. Davitt was immediately appointed to serve as mayor in the year ahead.
After thanking wife Alison and family members for their support, Davitt’s first order of business as mayor was to oversee the appointment of a mayor pro tem — panelists all agreed Councilman Jon Curtis would fit the bill nicely.
“I think we broke a lot of records tonight,” Davitt said. “Three new people sworn in, one appointed, a mayor appointed, mayor pro tem appointed and two members saluting out — and we did it through Zoom — that’s got to be a first in our city for sure.”
Brown reflected on his time on the council, which began with a July 2017 appointment following the untimely passing of longtime Councilman Dave Spence.
“It’s just great having the opportunity to be able to serve, to try and make things a little bit better and to do the things our citizens want to see done,” Brown said. “Congratulations to all of you. Keep up the good work.”
Also Tuesday, the council considered a light consent agenda, awarding a $305,000 contract to PACE Engineering for restoration of the Flint Canyon Wash and authorizing staff to apply $5.5 million of the city’s SB-1 funding from the California Transportation Commission toward a fourth phase of Foothill (210) Freeway sound wall planning and construction.
