Boyd is new Laguna mayor

The City Council paid tribute Tuesday night to outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Kinsman and gave a cordial welcome to its newest member, Verna Rollinger.

The accolades were a prelude to the adoption of the certified results of the Nov. 4 election, swearing in of newly elected officials and the traditional changing of seats on the council dais following the selection of Kelly Boyd as mayor and Elizabeth Pearson as mayor pro tem for the coming year.

“Tonight is both a happy and a sad occasion,” said outgoing Mayor Jane Egly, who was the top vote-getter in the 2008 council race. “Sad, because we are losing someone who has been a wonderful council person and put enormous energy into the city.

“But in a few moments we will welcome a new council member.”

Kinsman praised

Kinsman, a CPA, was commended by council members and supporters for her contributions to the city during her two terms on the council and previous years on the Planning Commission.

Besides achieving the goal of keeping a community hospital in service in Laguna, Kinsman was lauded by residents for her watchful eye on the city’s budget.

“We all know the budget must [by law] be balanced,” said former Mayor Steven Dicterow. “And we all had special projects, but Cheryl always said, ‘Where’s the money going to come from?’”

Kinsman did not attend the meeting.

“It is appropriate that her chair is empty,” said Laguna Beach Taxpayers Assn. president Martha Lydick. “It won’t be filled.”

Ovation for Rollinger

Rollinger supporters couldn’t have disagreed more. She was given a standing ovation by her adherents in the standing-room-only crowd, who had sat quietly during the public’s plaudits for Kinsman.

“It is no surprise that I am thrilled and honored to serve as your council member,” said Rollinger, who was seated just to the left of the City Clerk — a position the council’s newest member held for six terms before she retired.

“I want to thank my supporters, and I am happy to see so many of you here. I would ask those here who did not support me to give me a chance. If you think I can improve, give me a call. Together, we can do anything.”

Rollinger said she was looking forward to accomplishing goals discussed during the campaign.

In campaign literature, she promised she would decide how to vote on an issue based on whether it would maintain and improve Laguna’s quality of life, benefit the residents and protect and enhance the environment.

Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem selected

Rollinger’s first official action as councilwoman was to second Kelly Boyd’s nomination as mayor, which was unanimously approved by the council, followed by a unanimous vote for Pearson as Mayor Pro Tem.

The duties of the mayor and mayor pro tem include representing the city at the Business Improvement District annual meeting and the Orange County City Selection Committee.

The mayor is automatically a member of the South Orange County Assn. of Mayors, an ex-officio member of the Festival of Arts and primary representative to the county division of the League of California Cities, with the mayor pro tem serving as alternate on the latter two.

Additionally, Boyd chose to continue as council representative on the Irvine Bowl Policy Committee, joined by Rollinger in place of Kinsman.

He will serve with Egly on the South Laguna Water/Sewer Committee; as alternate to Pearson on the Laguna Art Museum Board and as liaison to the city’s Parking, Traffic and Circulation Committee.

Pearson’s council assignments included liaising with Laguna Beach Seniors Inc., Orange County Coastal Coalition, Orange County Council of Governments, the Orange County League of Cities Legislative Advocacy Committee and the city’s Tech-Comm Committee.

Egly retained her assignments as representative to the Laguna Canyon Foundation, the city Arts Commission and Environmental Committee, with Councilwoman Toni Iseman as alternate, and took on the Recreation Committee. She will serve as Iseman’s alternate on the South Orange County Waste Water Authority.

Iseman will continue to represent the council on the Festival Coordinating Committee and county Vector Control through December 2010. She replaced Egly as liaison to the Housing and Human Services Committee.

Rollinger will serve with Egly as liaison to the Coastal Greenbelt Authority, replacing Boyd, and will represent the council on the Heritage Committee.

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or coastlinepilot@latimes.com.