Lafayette welcomed in new councilmembers and appointed a city administrator during the Tuesday Council meeting.

Mayor J.D. Mangat, Councilmember Tim Barnes and incoming Councilmembers David Fridland and Crystal Gallegos all took their oaths of office. Judge Amanda Bailhache administered the oaths.

Mangat was unanimously reelected as mayor and was the only nominee for mayor. Councilmember Brian Wong was reelected as mayor pro tem. Both will serve two-year terms. Former Councilmember Stephanie Walton was term-limited and served on the Council since 2015. Former Councilmember Enhis Medrano did not run again and was the youngest Councilmember to serve the city in Lafayette history.

“Though my time on the Council may be ending, my commitment to serving Lafayette and advocating for a stronger, more inclusive community will continue,” Medrano said. She hinted at coming back to the city to work for the police department.

The Council thanked Walton for her eight years of service, highlighting her ability to lead by example, her diligent note taking and attention to detail. Before Walton stepped away, she took the time to thank each Councilmember for their work and share what she appreciates the most from each of them.

“My heart will always be here with all of you, I absolutely love Lafayette and I just really appreciate being able to be up here for eight years,” Walton said.

During the meeting, Kady Doelling was sworn in as city administrator.

Doelling has served as interim-city administrator since May, after former City Administrator Fritz Sprague retired. In July, the Council conducted a nation-wide search for a new city administrator through Strategic Government Resources, and the city announced the four finalists in November. Doelling was one of the four finalists.

Along with Doelling’s appointment, Council unanimously passed an ordinance to require Doelling to become a resident of Lafayette within 12 months of her first day of employment as city administrator.

Previous Lafayette ordinances required the city administrator to become a resident within 90 days, but Council changed the ordinance to give Doelling more time to find residence in Lafayette. Council stated they recognize that current housing market conditions make it difficult to find a home in the city within 90 days, so the time period was extended.