Chris Venable was elected mayor of Yucaipa on Dec. 8 after a roll-call vote at the council’s reorganization meeting.

The council clerk opened nominations under the council’s rules; Councilmember (speaker 16) nominated Venable and Councilmember (speaker 7) nominated John Thorpe. The council then conducted a roll-call vote, with three affirmative votes recorded—enough under the rules to elect Venable. “We have three affirmative votes,” the clerk announced after the vote, confirming Venable as mayor for 2026.

The council then opened nominations for mayor pro tem. Councilmember Miller nominated Justin Bieber; the council approved the nomination by roll call and motion carried. The clerk confirmed the appointment and the council recessed briefly to rearrange seats.

Outgoing mayor John Thorpe was thanked by the council during the remarks that followed the reorganization. The council proceeded with its agenda at 7:09 p.m., with Venable presiding as mayor.

The reorganization was procedural and followed the council’s adopted rules of procedure. No additional policy actions accompanied the reorganization vote. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 12, when the newly seated mayor will preside.

The clerk’s record of the votes and the council’s announcement conclude the action taken during the reorganization session.