With a nomination from a former mayor and a second by a rookie council member, the votes were cast and a new Huntington Beach mayor was named.
The City Council voted unanimously Monday, with Councilman Joe Carchio absent, to name Matthew Harper the 59th mayor of Surf City. Outgoing Mayor Connie Boardman will serve the rest of her term as a councilwoman.
"Growing up here was a very special experience, and I am truly humbled and honored by my colleagues for allowing me to serve as mayor for the city of Huntington Beach," Harper said. "It's very special for me, just being a kid that graduated from Huntington Beach High School and just wanting to do some good for the community and for our city."
The City Council also unanimously voted to make Joe Shaw the new mayor pro tem for the upcoming year.
"Tonight I'm honored to be sworn in as mayor pro tem for the city of Huntington Beach," he said. "I commit that I will do my very best to serve the residents of Huntington Beach and to continue working with both the new mayor and all the former mayors on the council."