ST. MARYS — The first St. Marys City Council meeting of the year began with an oath of office being taken by returning members and those newly elected.

Returning members Gary Anderson and former mayor Sally Geyer took the oath along with councilmen Lou Radkowski and Bob Mohr and Mayor Bob Howard, all voted in during November’s general election.

The oaths were administered by Elk County President Judge Richard A. Masson.

In assembling for the first time in Monday’s reorganizational meeting, council under the direction of Mayor Bob Howard, proceeded to make the following appointments to positions on city boards and committees: Councilman Greg Gebauer was named deputy mayor; Tom Wagner remains city solicitor; councilmen Gary Anderson and Ned Jacob were appointed to the police pension board and non-uniform pension board; Howard was named designee for non-union grievances; Councilman Lou Radkowski was named to the city’s tax board; and Tom Farley as the vacancy board chairman.

Council also decided to stick to its meeting schedule of the first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m.

Gebauer suggested the first meeting of each month be designated as a “workshop only” meeting free from legislative action. Gebauer said this would allow for public input and lengthier consideration of issues by council members before the casting of votes. The matter will be placed on the agenda at council’s Jan. 20 meeting for further discussion.