During the December 7 City Council meeting, the Canyon Lake City Council bid farewell to one of its members and welcomed a new one and the return of two incumbents.
The newly elected council members took the oath of office during a ceremony that was part of Monday night’s city council meeting.
With 3,321 votes in the November 3 election, Dale Welty was elected to serve his first term. Welty is taking the seat held by Randy Bonner, who elected not to run for re-election.
Welty’s son, Nick, administered the oath of office.
Welty thanked his wife, those who voted for him, and the city council members for their support.
Welty is a 32-year resident of Canyon Lake. The former two-term Canyon Lake POA Board Director has served on the Lake Lease Litigation Committee, Dredge Committee, Facilities Review Committee, Finance Committee, Activities Committee, Recreation Committee, Youth Action Committee, and Tennis Facility Committee.
With 3,304 votes, Jordan Ehrenkranz was elected to the seat he has held for the past 12 years. Senator Melissa Melendez administered the oath of office.
“It’s been a pleasure serving this community,” Ehrenkranz said. “I can’t think of a better place to live.”
Ehrenkranz, who became a permanent resident of Canyon Lake in 1990. was first elected to the city council 12 years ago. He is the only resident to have been appointed mayor four times. Ehrenkranz served on the POA Board for five years, three of them as president, prior to being elected to the city council.
Rounding out the top three with 3,023 votes is Larry Greene, who will begin his second term. Friend Kelly Smith administered the oath of office.
“Thank you to all the Canyon Lakers who voted for me,” Greene said. “We’ve got a great council and a lot of things we’re going to be moving forward into next year.”
Greene is a 43-year resident of Canyon Lake and has an extensive career background in fire and safety and public safety. He spent 31 years as a municipal fire professional, which included positions as division chief of operations and EMS, fire marshal, and assistant fire chief for a large Orange County city. He currently serves as the president of the Canyon Lake Emergency Preparedness Committee.
Welty, Ehrenkranz, and Greene will each serve a four-year term on the city council. They are joined by Kasey Castillo and Jeremy Smith, who were elected in 2018.
Following the newly elected city council members taking their oaths and assuming their official duties, Castillo and Smith were unanimously selected by their colleagues to carry out one-year mayor and mayor pro tem roles.
In keeping with current COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the meeting was held virtually. To view a recording of the meeting, click here.
