L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti’s Long, Awkward Goodbye

Councilman Eric Garrcetti

Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti was feted today as he presided over his final meeting as the leader of the elected body.

The political lovefest included speeches from council members, union and business leaders and comedian Jimmy Kimmel, whose show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” films on Hollywood Boulevard.

“It really impressed me that everyone seems to like this guy and it’s easy to understand why everyone likes him — because he cares, he’s a wonderful piano player, he’s a very tender lover. Was I not suppose to mention that?,” Kimmel said, setting the tone for the speeches.

The council’s newest member, Mitch Englander, said Garcetti was instrumental in helping him transition into his leadership role. Englander also said Garcetti’s word is as good as gold, with one noteable exception.

“The only promise that Eric has not stood up to, to me so far, was that he promised to give me a photo of him in his Navy uniform for my wallet. I haven’t gotten that yet,” Englander said.

Up until last month, Councilwoman Jan Perry was the #2 under Garcetti’s leadership. She noted, tongue in cheek, that one of their greatest challenges in working together was wrangling the body’s #3 — Dennis Zine.

“Many times I also felt that we were mother and father to Dennis and that we had a child we never expected to have, and that he presented many challenges for us,” Perry said. ”He has grown to be much more diplomatic and much more articulate and much more grounded in policy-making and doing his homework.”

Perry also acknowledged the elephant in the room — the 2013 mayor’s race. Both she and Garcetti have announced their candidacy for the seat.

“Even though we are competitors in another race, I couldn’t imagine having a more decent person to compete with,” Perry said.

As the incoming president, Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson presided over the ceremony. He will officially take over on Jan. 2, 2012.