Forming a foundation that would use fundraising to maintain the arts and address city issues, such as homelessness, was among the goals incoming Mayor Don Hansen proposed for his mayoral term.
Hansen, voted by the Huntington Beach City Council on Monday to serve as mayor for the next year, took the reins from former Mayor Joe Carchio, now a councilman, in a packed ceremony that was standing-room only.
Councilman Devin Dwyer was appointed as the mayor pro tem.
The largely ceremonial positions are rotated among council members each year.
Before handing his title over, Carchio counted the city's achievements and challenges in the last year.
He said he appreciated the cooperation received by all of the city employees and that they made his "year as mayor easier."
"They saw the challenge, they accepted the challenge, and they made the concessions we needed to help us balance our budget," Carchio said.