Chelsea Byers was sworn in as West Hollywood mayor on Jan. 21 by her partner Austin Cyr. (photo by Jon Viscott)

After an eight-day delay, West Hollywood has a new mayor. Chelsea Byers has taken the title after serving as the city’s vice mayor the last year. The West Hollywood City Council uses a rotating mayoral system, where the five members of the council take turns at the helm. John Heilman was  sworn in as vice mayor on Jan. 21.

“Becoming the mayor of this city is a tremendous honor and responsibility, especially when we have so many unknowns given the new administration in Washington and the recent firestorms refocusing the realities of climate change,” Byers said. “West Hollywood is well positioned to be a model and leader in how cities respond. We can make our own city the most vibrant and resilient place possible and I’m excited to work with our community to achieve our goals in the year ahead.”

“Chelsea is very poised,” Heilman said. “She has a great deal of kindness and compassion. Those qualities will serve her well in her new role. I look forward to serving as vice mayor. My primary function as vice major is to step in when Chelsea is unavailable. We have a lot of work and I hope it will be a productive year for the city.”

The ceremony was originally scheduled for Jan. 13, but was postponed due to the ongoing wildfires, as the city took measures to help neighboring communities. At the Jan. 21 meeting, the city also passed an ordinance that allows for emergency short-term rentals in some housing, aiming to provide homes for displaced fire victims.

Because of the delay, Councilman John Erickson retained the title of mayor for an additional week. He advised Byers to “lead with courage, conviction and grace.”

Many residents and local dignitaries appeared at the meeting to support Byers and Heilman.

“I have seen you grow since you’ve been in office,” former Councilwoman Sepi Shyne said. “I am so proud to have you as my mayor. I know that you are a person with incredible empathy, a golden heart and amazing, amazing foresight and care for … everyone in West Hollywood. You are all about inclusivity for all.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for the city under your fabulous leadership,” resident Karen Eyres said.

“You guys are really our first line of defense,” social justice advisory board member Jonathan Wilson said. “I’m really excited to see where this goes.”

Councilwoman Lauren Meister also offered advice for Byers.

“Know that you’re not the only mayor [who’s had] to deal with the horrible new president we have,” Meister said. “I was mayor when he got elected, as well.”

“Alright, coming to you for advice,” Byers replied.

Councilman Danny Hang said he was excited to serve with Byers.

“Her commitment to building affordable housing, addressing homelessness, creating safer, multimodal transportation infrastructure and championing environmentally sound policies sets an inspiring path forward for the city of West Hollywood,” Hang said.

The installation was combined with a regular City Council meeting, and the lengthy agenda led to a meeting that lasted over seven hours, ending well after midnight.

Byers’ is also tasked with naming the next pet mayor for West Hollywood. For the last year, Erickson’s dog Winnie has been pet mayor.

“West Hollywood’s incoming pet mayor is a former feral from a cat colony in West L.A.,” Byers announced exclusively to the Beverly Press. “Shadrach and her little brother Meshach found their way into our life years ago and now she will be the first cat mayor of the city.”

The pet installation ceremony will be determined at a later date.

John Heilman took the oath of office as vice mayor of West Hollywood. (photo by Jon Viscott)