Story by Rafa Estolano-Sridharan
Staff Writer
Photo by Mac Shropshire
Staff Photographer
New city council members Omari Ferguson and Sheila Rossi, elected this November, were sworn in alongside the reelected Jon Primuth at the city council meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The new council then chose South Pasadena’s mayor and mayor pro tem for the 2025 term.
Outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Jack Donovan, who was joined by his family, reflected on his years of service before the new council members took their seats. Donovan listed what he had accomplished with his colleagues, including the recent sale of Caltrans homes and progress on the construction of affordable housing units in South Pasadena.
Donovan closed out his remarks by thanking the city staff and his constituents. He was met by applause from the packed audience of South Pasadena residents. Donovan was presented with a certificate honoring his services to the city by California state senator Sasha Renée Pérez as he left the dais. Council member Michael Caccioti also handed Donovan a plaque from the entire city council, recognizing him not only for his role as a council member but also as an American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) commissioner and as chair of the South Pasadena Parks and Recreation Commision.
Other members of the city council, including Braun, Primuth, and Ferguson, also expressed their gratitude for Donovan’s hard work.
The council then moved on to the certification of election results and the administration of the oath of office to the elected council members. Ferguson was sworn in first, with the oath of office being administered by his wife Katrina Perez.
“I’m honored to be on this journey with all of you. Thank you all for your trust and support … and let’s get to it,” Ferguson said.
Rossi was sworn in after, with Senator Pérez administering the oath of office. After paying her respects to Donovan, Rossi thanked her friends and campaign team for their support and dedication.
“This campaign was never about one person, it was about all of us,” Rossi said.
Following Rossi, reelected council member Primuth also took the oath of office after being reelected this november.
The council discussed the election of mayor and mayor pro tem for the 2025 term after the members were sworn in.
Braun, nominated by Primuth, was elected mayor, and Rossi, nominated by Ferguson, was elected mayor pro tem.
“I’m extremely excited and optimistic about the future of South Pasadena. We’ve made significant progress on several critical infrastructure, finance, and governance issues which we will continue into 2025 and beyond,” Braun said.
The council adjourned for a short reception after the election of the new mayor and mayor pro tem.
