LA HABRA

Mayor Juan Garcia said this week he will resign his seat on the City Council almost a year before it expires. Garcia, 46, said he has accepted a job transfer to the Bay Area, forcing him to give up his council post before his term is up in November 2000. Garcia said he plans to remain on the council until Dec. 5, when he completes his stint as mayor. Garcia, who works for Chevron, had hinted in February that he might not be able to complete his term when the company announced it would close its 27-acre La Habra complex.