FOLEY — Monday marked a milestone in Forward City history, as the new format of Foley City government launched.

Under the new format, Foley Mayor John Koniar will no longer moderate proceedings. Instead, that task will now go to Foley City Councilman Wayne Trawick. He was unanimously elected to the position by fellow Council members during Monday’s organizational meeting of the Council.

“It’s really an honor to be the first president,” he said after the meeting.

As previously reported, Trawick’s new position is mandated by state law, which deems that a municipality exceeding a population of 12,000 must change to a governing format in which the mayor only has veto power, and the council has a president and vice president.

“But this transition is going to be seamless,” Trawick said. “Most people won’t know there’s been a change in government, except what we’ve told them in the paper.”

That’s because while Koniar is no longer required to even attend Council meetings, he plans to do so, anyway, and provide input.

“The team’s the same, the positions have changed,” said Councilman Ralph Hellmich, who was unanimously elected to the position of Council vice president.

The first day of the new format did have a few bumps along the way, as the Council adjusted to a new agenda format and new procedure.

“This whole thing is different from what we’ve been doing,” Trawick said in the work session.

However, the Council worked through the new format to accomplish several items, including:

Approving a medallion-style sign for various locations in the city.

Approving $250 in funding for the Kiwanis Club’s Christmas Parade, which will be held Dec. 8.

Appropriated $500 funding for marketing the awareness of Amendment 2 on the November ballot.

Approved $20,990 for the replacement of a Rose Trail Gazebo.

Accepted $3,000 in donations to the Foley Fire Department for the purchase of Freddie the Firetruck educational tool.