Chandler council swears in three members and unanimously elects Christine Ellis as vice mayor

The Chandler City Council on Jan. 9 administered oaths to three council members, approved a consent agenda and unanimously elected Council Member Christine Ellis to a one-year term as vice mayor.

The actions came during a ceremonial meeting in which Jennifer Hawkins, Odie (O.D.) Harris and Christine Talon Ellis each took the oath of office. Mayor Hartke nominated Ellis for vice mayor and Vice Mayor Odie Harris seconded the motion; a roll-call vote was unanimous.

The meeting’s consent agenda — listed as items 1 through 3 on the Jan. 9 docket — was moved by Council Member Encinas and seconded by Council Member Poston and also carried unanimously.

“We made history,” Council Member Christine Ellis told the chamber after the vote, saying she would “continue to lead with my heart.” Newly sworn Council Member Jennifer Hawkins thanked supporters and campaign staff, saying, “I appreciate you being here tonight, and I’m looking forward to it.” Council Member O.D. Harris, who described a contentious campaign in which his signs were defaced and his family targeted, said the campaign response was rooted in community and resilience: “We stood tall, we responded not with anger, but with a campaign rooted in community, opportunity, and love.”

Supervisor Mark Stewart, a former Chandler council member who spoke during the meeting’s tributes before leaving the dais to serve at the county level, reflected on local government’s role, saying, “local government matters so, so much.” Mayor Hartke and other council members offered brief remarks welcoming the newly sworn members and congratulating the incoming vice mayor.

Mayor Hartke opened the meeting with recognitions of visiting state and federal staff and noted the council had a full quorum. After the oaths and votes, the mayor highlighted upcoming community events, including a Martin Luther King awards program on Jan. 17 and the city’s multicultural festival on Jan. 18.

Formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes include the unanimous approval of the consent agenda (items 1–3) and the unanimous roll-call election of Christine Talon Ellis to a one-year term as vice mayor. No ordinances, budget votes or land-use decisions were taken during this session.