Acting Los Angeles City Council President Mitch O’Farrell on Oct. 13 designated Chief Legislative Analyst Sharon Tso as caretaker for the 6th Council District, following the resignation of Councilwoman Nury Martinez. The designation became effective immediately.

“Now that there is a vacancy in the 6th Council District, the immediate appointment of a caretaker will ensure that the office continues to operate and that matters important to constituents are handled,” O’Farrell said. “Moving forward, I will immediately begin to explore the logistics of holding a special election for the 6th District so that voters will have the opportunity to choose their next council member. Most importantly, I want to hear from the constituents of the 6th District, who deserve a full voice in their government. This vacancy was created through no fault of their own.”

When a council vacancy occurs, the council president is empowered to appoint a non-voting caretaker until a new council member for the district takes office, or until they are relieved of the assignment by the council president. Tso can designate anyone from her staff to serve in the role, O’Farrell’s spokesman Dan Halden said.

The caretaker oversees the operations of the council office, including constituent inquiries and requests, communications, personnel, payroll, office management and work with other city offices, departments and stakeholder organizations. For policy matters, the caretaker is directed to seek the advice of the council president. The caretaker is not an official member of the City Council and cannot vote on matters before the council.

The office of the Chief Legislative Analyst helps the City Council develop legislative programs, analyzes budgets on behalf of the council and provides research on legislative matters.

Martinez served as council president until stepping down on Oct. 10 after a recording of her and Councilmen Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo making racist remarks was made public. Martinez resigned from the council on Oct. 12. The council plans to vote on a new council president on Oct. 18.

O’Farrell canceled the City Council meeting scheduled on Friday, Oct. 14, and called for de Leon and Cedillo to resign.

“I am canceling [the Oct. 14] meeting of the City Council [because] the people’s business cannot be conducted until we have those next two resignations,” O’Farrell said.

For information, visit cd13.com.