Mayor Kell passed away on April 29. He was 88 years old (and would have turned 89 in July.)

The photo above shows Mayor Kell in Feb. 2004, celebrating the 80th birthday of Ninos Italian restaurant owner Vincenzo Cristiano. The iconic Bixby Knolls restaurant, a favorite of the Kells, had a pasta dish on its menu dubbed Spaghetti alla Ernie Kell (with olive oil, garlic and special herbs, mushrooms if desired.)

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Mayor Kell, a successful businessman/developer, was elected to the City Council in ELB's 5th district in 1975, named LB's Council-chosen (rotated position) Mayor in 1984, became LB's first citywide elected Mayor in 1988 and narrowly outpolled former Mayor/then-Councilman Dr. Tom Clark for that position in 1990. Kell remained Mayor until 1994 when he was outpolled by newcomer Beverly O'Neill. At the time, he said philosophically, "one door closes, another one opens."

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One of retired Mayor Kell's last major public appearances was at a February 6, 2016 ceremony honoring Dr. Clark (LBREPORT.com photo of Mayor Kell right) with placement of a plaque at the Los Altos shopping center. In a strong and clear voice, retired Mayor Kell (who enjoyed a good laugh from a political wisecrack) delivered a good natured, humorous tribute to his former City Hall colleague. His remarks, captured by us on video. are vintage Ernie Kell. For video, click here.

His wife, Jackie, was elected to the Council and represented ELB's 5th Council district from 1998-2006.

LBREPORT.com extends our condolences to Mayor Kell's wife Jackie and the entire Kell family.

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