Newness did not translate into timidity Monday, when the recently sworn-in City Council held its first meeting before a standing-room-only crowd.

The council made several sweeping changes, beginning an intended process of whittling away the powers held by Mayor Tim Kant. But for procedural reasons it delayed voting on an ordinance that would give the council the power and responsibility of hiring and firing department heads — a duty that has long been held by the mayor.

The five-member council on Monday passed new rules removing mayoral power to influence the agenda for council meetings. It voted to repeal all ordinances connecting the jobs of mayor and utilities superintendent. The council also enacted a two-month freeze on all hiring and promotions.

Perhaps most notably, the council announced that it would not automatically re-appoint key staff members, including the city clerk, treasurer and police chief, all of whom were appointed by the mayor in recent years. Instead, council members will investigate whether a search should be made for replacements in each slot.

But, council members said, they want to make it clear that the mayor now works for the council. Kant, meanwhile, has long contended that the “legislative and executive branches” of the city are equal in power.

Fairhope council cuts mayor out of meetings