Herndon Sworn In, Hogg Elected Northport Council President

NORTHPORT, AL. — Northport saw the swearing in of a new mayoral administration and City Council Monday, along with other changes to the council's leadership.

After hosting a prayer event around the City Hall flagpoles Monday afternoon prior to the meeting, Mayor Bobby Herndon was sworn in for his third non-consecutive term as mayor, with the oath administered by former City Administrator Scott Collins.

The agenda items were few during Monday night's regular meeting as the evening was devoted primarily to ceremony. However, the City Council did unanimously name District 5 Councilman Jeff Hogg as council president, taking the place of former District 2 Councilman Jay Logan.

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Hogg was nominated by District 1 Councilwoman Christy Bobo, who was sworn in for her first term Monday night, with the motion seconded by District 3's John Hinton. Bobo also nominated Hinton to serve as president pro tempore, which passed unanimously.

Hogg reflected on his first term on the council, saying it has felt like a long four years during certain moments, while other times feeling like it was only yesterday when he was taking office for the first time.

"There's a lot of things going on in Northport that are on on the horizon and that we could really capitalize on as we go forward and this group is the one that holds the key to do that," Hogg said. "So the biggest thing I want to say tonight is stay the course, stay positive and we will accomplish great things."

Herndon expressed optimism for the new City Council, most notably relating to the council members with experience under their belts. Three members of the council — Bobo, District 2's Woodrow Washington and District 4's Jamie Dykes — will be serving their first terms.

ALSO READ: Patch Q&A With Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon

"I think we're going to have a great council," Herndon said. "There are a lot of good things on the horizon ... things that Councilman Hogg and Councilman Hinton have started, some good things coming down the road and I look forward to working with them."

The only absence of the night was in the District 2 seat, which was won by Washington during the municipal election in August. Washington confirmed to Patch following the meeting that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was in quarantine.

"I'm looking forward to [starting this term] and working hard for District 2," he said in a brief phone conversation Monday night. "I'm excited to work with all the other council members to keep Northport moving forward."

Other changes during the first meeting of the new mayor and council saw the following committee assignments handed out:

ADMIN

• Chair John Hinton
• Vice Chair Christy Bobo

PUBLIC SAFETY

• Chair Woodrow Washington
• Vice Chair John Hinton

PROJECTS

• Chair Jeff Hogg
• Vice Chair Jamie Dykes

FINANCE

• Chair Christy Bobo
• Vice Chair John Hinton

RETAIL

• Chair Christy Bobo
• Vice Chair Jeff Hogg

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

• Chair Jamie Dykes
• Vice Chair Woodrow Washington

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