Birmingham City Council sworn in, Abbott elected president

The new Birmingham City Council for 2017-2021 was sworn in on Tuesday, Oct. 24, in front of a packed house in the council chambers at city hall.

There are three new members – Hunter Williams in District 2, Darrell O’Quinn in District 5 and John Hilliard in District 9.

The council members also elected new leadership.

Long-time Councilor Valerie Abbott from District 3 was elected as City Council President by a 5-4 vote over Steven Hoyt from District 8, who formerly served as Council President Pro Tem.

Abbott was nominated for the office by Jay Roberson, and Hoyt was nominated by Sheila Tyson.

Among the new members, Williams and O’Quinn voted for Abbott, and Hilliard voted for Hoyt.

Councilor Jay Roberson from District 7 was then elected the new Council President Pro Tem by a 5-4 vote over Sheila Tyson.

Roberson was nominated by Abbott, and Tyson was nominated by Hoyt.

Williams and O’Quinn voted for Roberson, and Hilliard voted for Tyson.

Wiliams won his seat by defeating incumbent Kim Rafferty. O'Quinn defeated incumber Johnathan Austin, who was also the City Council President.

Hilliard won a seat vacated when Marcus Lundy chose not to run for reelection.