Council President Barrow announced during a Dec. special meeting that he will step down as council president but will remain on the Maumee City Council.

“I'm stepping down as council president. And the next order of business is going to be nominations for our new council president,” the council president said as the meeting moved from executive session back into open session.

Councilman Harris moved to clarify the charter so that a sitting council president may step down before the end of that presidency term, that the council shall immediately select a new council president, and that the outgoing president shall retain the council seat. A second was recorded and the motion passed on roll call.

After nominations opened, members nominated Chelsea Ziz and John Piscus for council president. Ziz accepted the nomination; Piscus declined or expressed reluctance to take the role beyond year-end. Nominations were closed and the council cast its votes. Members congratulated the newly selected president after the tally was announced.

The action follows earlier discussion during the meeting about several proposed charter changes and procedural concerns. The council also held an executive session earlier in the meeting to discuss an appointment to a public office.

The council adjourned later in the session and will address remaining agenda items at a subsequent meeting. The selection of the new council president is effective immediately for council organization purposes; the outgoing president will keep his council seat.