Tag: City Clerk

SANTA MONICA—On Thursday, September 3, the Santa Monica City Council announced the appointment of Walfred Solorzano to serve as the city’s next City Clerk. The appointment concludes a national recruitment that began earlier this year and was overseen by a Council ad hoc committee.

He succeeds Interim City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren, who retired from the post in 2023 and returned in January to lead the office during the search.

“Walfred has built a career within City Clerk offices throughout the state,” said Mayor Caroline Torosis. “That depth of experience is what Santa Monica needs to ensure our City Clerk’s Office continues to operate smoothly and effectively. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Denise for returning to manage the City Clerk’s Office while we conducted this search.”

Solorzano worked in local government for more than two decades, with nearly a decade of experience as a City Clerk, Assistant City Clerk or Deputy City Clerk. He served as City Clerk for the city of Sausalito from December 2022 to July 2026 and has been serving as Interim City Clerk for the city of Lodi since July 28. Before Sausalito, he was Assistant City Clerk for the city of Half Moon Bay and previously worked for other cities throughout California.

“I’ve spent more than 20 years in government, and I still believe in the deeply human business of public service. Local government matters because this is where democracy becomes accessible to everybody,” said Solorzano. “Being selected as Santa Monica’s City Clerk feels like both a homecoming and a new adventure. I’m excited to bring my experience and energy to the job, and to serve a city and community that has never been afraid to have a personality of its own.”

Solórzano will join the city effectively on Monday, September 21. The City Clerk is Santa Monica’s elections official, Political Reform Act filing officer, and compliance officer for the Brown Act and the Public Records Act. The City Clerk’s Office prepares City Council Agendas and records Council proceedings, manages the city’s records and public records requests, runs the Boards and Commissions appointment process, and accepts passport applications.

For more details about the Santa Monica City Clerk’s Office, visit www.santamonica.gov/departments/city-clerks-office.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, December 5, the city of Santa Monica announced in a press release that City Clerk Nikima Newsome announced this week she will resign from her position in January 2026 for a new career opportunity, after serving in the role for 2 years.

Newsome worked for the city of Santa Monica since 2019 and was appointed as city clerk in July 2024, after serving in the interim role for six months following the retirement of Denise Anderson-Warren.

During her tenure, Newsome implemented remote public comment and streamlined the public comment process for City Council meetings.

“Niki has played an important role in helping keep the city’s work moving during some very difficult moments. I appreciate the steady commitment she brought to her position and thank her for her service to Santa Monica,” said Mayor Lana Negrete. “I wish her nothing but success ahead.”

The Santa Monica City Council is slated to begin discussions about the recruitment process for a new city clerk in closed session on December 9. Newsome’s last day with the city will be January 7, 2026. For more information on the City Clerk’s Office, visit www.santamonica.gov.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, July 9, the city of Santa Monica announced on its website that the City Council named Nikima Newsome as the new City Clerk.

Newsome, a five-year veteran of the City Clerks’ Office, has served as interim city clerk since outgoing clerk Denise Anderson-Warren retired in December 2023.

“Ms. Newsome’s depth of experience and leadership makes her the perfect choice for our next city clerk,” said Mayor Phil Brock. “We’ve seen her navigate the interim role with the utmost professionalism and I know we are in the best hands as she continues as our permanent city clerk.”

Prior to working with the city of Santa Monica, Newsome served Township of Mount Holly in New Jersey for five years as the township clerk, deputy registrar, and purchasing agent. She was the deputy clerk of council for the Cuyahoga County Council in Cleveland, Ohio.

“Being a city clerk has been my passion since I was introduced to the field, and I am incredibly honored and humbled to do what I love in the city I have come to love,” said Newsome. “I am so excited to usher in a new dynamic and energy to the City Clerk’s Office.”

Newsome holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Georgian Court University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Dayton. She holds certifications as a Certified Municipal Clerk and a Master Municipal Clerk from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and is a licensed Registered Municipal Clerk and Qualified Purchasing Agent in New Jersey.

Newsome’s appointment is effective immediately, and she will have an annual salary of $230,784.

By Trevor