The new Austin City Council met for its first official meeting Monday.

All members, both newly elected and re-elected, took the oath of office as they were welcomed into their ward seats. Exiting members Dick Chaffee, Dick Lang and Jeanne Poppe were given a vote of thanks.

Newly elected members include 2nd Ward council member Dick Pacholl, who has previously served on the council. Pacholl thanked the community for his election into office and said it was a privilege to be back on the board.

"The only thing I can promise, it's that I will do the best I can," Pacholl said.

Council member Wayne Goodnature, whose previous experience includes being Mower County sheriff for 16 years and two years as the 2nd Ward member, took the member At-Large seat.

"I think this will be the most historical year both in state and local level," Goodnature said in regard to the present economic situation. "This is the kind of stuff I was built to do. My priority is overall survival and a very strong emphasis on public safety."

Bonnie Rietz was also sworn to her re-elected position as mayor.

Council interviews

The council will interview the 16 applicants for the open 1st and 3rd Ward positions from 5 to 7 p.m tonight and 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and will announced the elected members at a special meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The board approved the mayor's appointments to boards and commissions and authorities for 2003. Appointments include the Library Board, Park and Recreation Board and Police Civil Service Commission.

Other business on the agenda:

n The council carried a motion to place security at Bremerton Townhomes on matters-in-hand for the new council to review. Richard Edge with the Neighborhood Watch at Bremerton made a request for the council to review city ordinances pertaining to safety and disorderly housing. Edge explained to the council the security shortage and increase in crime occurring at Bremerton. Police Chief Paul Philipp also explained the situation to the council and what ordinances could be reviewed.

Since the security was cut to fewer days per week, property has been vandalized at Bremerton, Edge said.

Having the security in the area not only helps the residents at Bremerton feel safer, but it also helps the police department, Edge said.

n Philipp reported to the council the arrest of the man who sexually assaulted an 81-year-old resident of Chauncey Apartments on Nov. 18, 2002. The subject is in jail, Phillip said.

n The council approved a resolution awarding a bid of $596,418.08 to Ulland Bros. for the 14th St. N.W. improvement construction. Jon Erichson, director of public works, said the improvement would included widening the road with new lanes and turning lanes. Funding for the project will come from federal funds with an amount of $393,174.46; state funds with $98,293.62 and local funds with $104,950.00.

The anticipated start date for the project is May 27, Erichson said.

n Two motions were carried to set a public hearings for Jan 21 for a conditional permit to allow for a change of use from an elderly nursing care facility to a 24-unit multifamily rental housing complex. The second hearing will be for a change of a hair salon to a printing shop at 910 Second Ave S.W.

A resolution was passed for another hearing on the same day the rezoning of the property at 101 21st St. S.E.

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The council will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com