Steinbach city council held its inaugural meeting Tuesday night. Mayor Earl Funk and members of council took the oath of office and the mayor then announced his various committee appointments. Funk appointed Michael Zwaagstra as Deputy Mayor. He explains the reasons for his choice.

"Michael is a very good councillor. He is well-articulated and he's got a lot of experience behind him. I thought as I am learning this new chair, it would be very beneficial to have a man with that kind of experience behind him."

Funk adds he will continue the practice of having all councillors sit as one committee.

"I feel that (this way) councillors are all able to have the same information at the same time. I think it's more fair and we are a better-informed council if we operate that way."

Funk says he has taken time to meet with each councillor in the two weeks since the election in order to build relationships. He senses they are keen to get going on a couple of priorities.

"We want to get things done. Number one, I really want to work on economic development and bring business and jobs (to the city) and build the tax base, that's what I want to do first. But also always on the horizon is recreation renewal and yes, those conversations are happening and I'm looking forward to study session because it's on the agenda and we will be discussing it a great length."

Study session will take place later this month.

City council members will be going through extensive orientation sessions Thursday evening and all day Friday. Funk says they are bringing in a consultant with extensive experience in municipal government to lead those sessions.

Other appointments by Mayor Funk:

Council representative on the Jake Epp Library Board - Damian Penner
Council representative on the Seine/Rat River Conservation District Board - Jake Hiebert
Council representative on the Community Development Corporation - Susan Penner
Council representative on the Steinbach/Hanover Joint Action Committee - Jac Siemens
Council representative on the Steinbach/La Broquerie Joint Action Committee - Bill Hiebert
Chair of the RCMP Advisory Committee - Michael Zwaagstra
Citizen appointments to the Jake Epp Library Board - Allison Dueck, Jacqui Broesky