Lee Leffingwell's term as Austin's mayor will end Jan. 5 with new mayor Steve Adler being sworn in Jan. 6.[/caption]

The city of Austin's first district-based City Council will be sworn into office at 6 p.m. Jan. 6 at City Hall.

The new 11-membercouncil will be led by political newcomer and lawyer Steve Adler, who was elected mayor in a Dec. 16 runoff election. The only member of the new council with prior experience on the council dais is Kathie Tovo, who was elected to represent District 9, which covers much of Central Austin.

Outgoing Mayor Lee Leffingwell was first voted into City Council in 2005 and become mayor in 2009. He said he has no professional endeavors lined up after his term ends Jan. 5, but he did provide imparting advice for the new council in a Jan. 2 news release.

"It is important to remember that there are over 860,000 people living in Austin. Sometimes it can be difficult to keep this in mind when you're facing 200 loud voices in the council chamber. Yet, it is crucial to consider the needs of all Austinites, even if they aren't the loudest, and to make decisions that represent the interests of the entire community," Leffingwell said in a statement.

Leffingwell said he voted in the Nov. 4 general election for Adler, who he called the right man for the job.

"There is no one in this race that I trust more than Steve Adler," Leffingwell said after casting his early-voting ballot Oct. 27. "Steve Adler has exactly the broad experience, the gravitas and the demeanor to be a great mayor of Austin."

Adler later won a runoff election against outgoing Councilman Mike Martinez. Tovo is the lone incumbent to return to the newly formed council.

The city's website now lists the new Austin City Council members.