Surf City names Bolton to council

Huntington Beach has found its seventh City Council member.

Monday night, the council voted 4 to 2 to appoint lawyer Rhonda Bolton to the seat vacated by Tito Ortiz, who resigned June 1. Bolton was one of dozens of candidates interviewed by the council over two lengthy sessions this month. During a special meeting July 19, the council was unable to reach a consensus on naming a replacement, and the matter was continued to this week.

Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Delgleize, who had voted last week for another candidate, changed her vote Monday to Bolton. She joined Mayor Kim Carr, Councilman Dan Kalmick and Councilwoman Natalie Moser in backing the attorney. Councilmen Erik Peterson and Mike Posey cast the two dissenting votes. Posey made a substitute motion calling for a special election, but it failed, 4 to 2.

Bolton, a mother of two who has served on the city’s Human Relations Task Force, was sworn in after a recess. She is believed to be the first Black City Council member in Huntington Beach history.

“It means a lot,” she said. “I really appreciate the confidence that the folks in the city have expressed in me . ... I wanted to offer up the passion ... and the experience and skill to help us navigate the matters that are really important right now.”

She specified homelessness, affordable housing and public safety as key issues.

The scene after the vote was chaotic, with some in the audience shouting “Recall” at council members.