NEW MAYOR RETURNS TO COUNCIL VILLARAIGOSA TAKES VICTORY LAP THROUGH CHAMBERS GREETING COLLEAGUES.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Describing himself as ``humbled and honored,'' Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa returned Friday to the Los Angeles City Council chambers that served for the past two years as the stage for his political comeback.

With an entourage of aides and security that he now has as the city's next chief executive, Villaraigosa entered the ornate chambers from its back entrance as Council President Alex Padilla announced: ``Ladies and gentlemen, Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa.''

The first to greet him was Councilman Jack Weiss, who has been a near-constant companion to Villaraigosa throughout the campaign.

Then, one by one, Villaraigosa made his way around the council horseshoe where he shook hands and hugged his colleagues - the majority of them supporters of Mayor James Hahn. A crowd of more than 200 people gathered for the annual Pioneer Women Day celebration looked on.

``We shook hands and just looked each other in the eye and nodded,'' the mayor's sister, Councilwoman Janice Hahn, said. ``I sent him a note this week offering my congratulations.''

Villaraigosa spoke briefly to his colleagues, thanking them for their understanding for his absences during the campaign and what his election as mayor meant to him.

``I have been blessed by a city that already has given me a great deal,'' Villaraigosa said. ``I am humbled by it. You can't help but feel excited about this. I tell people it doesn't matter if you voted for me or not, I will do the best I can for all the people of the city.''

Villaraigosa then took his seat in the large leather chair between Weiss and Councilman Ed Reyes as the council honored the women present and went through the routine business of the day as photographers captured his every move.

Earlier on Friday, Villaraigosa participated in a beach cleanup project with a group of students as he continued his tour of the city to thank voters.

Next week, Villaraigosa and his transition team are expected to begin the detailed task of planning for taking over the mayor's job on July 1 as well as planning for the inaugural ceremony.

It was his election to the City Council two years ago that brought Villaraigosa back to the political arena after losing to Hahn in 2001 for mayor.

In defeating then-Councilman Nick Pacheco, Villaraigosa had said he planned to serve out his full term and not challenge Hahn for mayor.

However, after the Hahn administration became the subject of official investigations, and with Hahn facing a crowded field of challengers, Villaraigosa last year decided to get into the race. He finished first in the March primary election and easily won victory over Hahn in last Tuesday's runoff.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com