91原创 City Mayor Nathan Pachal began his term of office on Monday, Nov. 7, by obtaining unanimous approval for a return to in-person meetings.

Pachal said the switch from virtual meetings would be delayed until January 1, because the council chambers will be used by the 91原创 Christmas Bureau.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really important that we collaborate face to face,鈥� Pachal commented.

Senior Provincial Court Judge Gary Cohen conducted the swearing-in of the 40th 91原创 City council, administering the oath of office to Pachal, three returning councillors, Paul Albrecht, Rosemary Wallace, and Teri James, and three first-time councillors, Leith White, Mike Solyom and Delaney Mack.

鈥淲e have a lot of work to do,鈥� Pachal told the meeting.

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting, but it鈥檚 also intimidating.鈥�

In a post-ceremony interview, the mayor cited community safety, housing, preparing for Skytrain, and homelessness among top issues for the incoming council.

READ ALSO: New 91原创 City mayor Nathan Pachal plans to take a team approach

鈥淚 think the team of people that we have are willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work,鈥� Pachal commented.

The ceremony was live-streamed to the 91原创 City video channel.

Councillors sounded similar notes about working together in their remarks after they took their seats at the council table.

Leith White said he was 鈥渉umbled and empowered by the expression of trust鈥� from voters.

White, a pastor, concluded with a prayer to help the council be people 鈥渨ho help and make peace.鈥�

Paul Albrecht viewed the future as 鈥渧ery exciting,鈥� adding 鈥淚鈥檓 committed to making this team work.鈥�

Rosemary Wallace called her election 鈥渁n honour,鈥� and referred to the challenges lying ahead, saying 鈥渢here is yet so much to be done.鈥�

Delaney Mack promised to 鈥渨ork hard for my community, saying 鈥淚 look forward to working with you all.鈥�

Teri James was 鈥渆ncouraged by what I鈥檓 hearing [from other councillors tonight]. Clearly, we鈥檙e all on the same page,鈥漚dding 鈥渕y phone is always on and my door is always open.鈥�

Mike Solyom said it was an 鈥渉onour to be here tonight,鈥� and thanked Pachal for encouraging him to run.

Nathan Pachal鈥檚 spouse, Dr. Rob Bittner, presented the new mayor with his chain of office.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to have the opportunity to walk alongside Nathan in this new political journey,鈥� Bittner said.

Council unanimously voted to appoint Councillor Paul Albrecht as the City representative on the Metro Vancouver Board of directors, a position that is usually held by mayors.

Pachal, who recommended the Albrecht appointment, said the councillor鈥檚 experience as a staffer with the Township of Largely made him a good choice. Coun. Rosemary Wallace was named alternate.

READ ALSO: Voter turnout plunges in 91原创 City, down in Township

Former City mayors Ted Schaffer, Peter Fassbender and Joe Lopushinsky attended the swearing in ceremony, as did former councillor Rudy Storteboom, who lost his re-election bid.

Defeated incumbent mayor Val van den Broek could be seen speaking to some guests before the ceremony, but did not stay.

More photos from the day can be viewed on the .