Councilwoman Joan McGilton was elected by a unanimous vote of her fellow city council members to a second two-year term as mayor of Burien.

The action was the first item of business at the lawmakers' first meeting of the year on Jan. 7.

McGilton, who is serving her second four-year term on the council, also served as mayor in 2006-07.

Councilwoman Rose Clark was elected to a second consecutive term as deputy mayor by a 5-2 vote.

Her opponent was Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak, who was nominated by Councilwoman Sally Nelson.

Councilman Gordon Shaw nominated McGilton.

Prior to their election, Kathy Keene was sworn in as a new member of the council. She replaced Jack Block Jr., who opted to run for the Seattle Port Commission rather than seek re-election.

Like all Highline-area cities except Tukwila, where voters elect their mayor separately, Burien has a "weak mayor" system of municipal government in which council members choose a mayor from their ranks to preside over meetings and represent the city at ceremonial functions.

A city manager administers the day-by-day government operations of the government.

In other action, lawmakers directed City Manager Mike Martin to meet with neighboring city mangers to discuss issues of interest to all the cities as a whole.

Council members hope the relationship between Burien and the other cities will continue to grow.

Martin met with city managers from Des Moines and Normandy Park on Dec. 17. "This was just the first of many meetings to come," he said.

The city of Seattle has requested a continuance on the mediation that was set to begin this month regarding a solution to the proposed annexation area, Martin also told the council.

Both Burien and Seattle have designated all of the North Highline unincorporated area as a potential annexation area.

Seattle wants to delay the mediation until the current legislative session is over. Seattle officials hope the Legislature will approve a tax break in case that city annexes North Highline.

He added that groundbreaking for the joint city hall/King County Regional Library building in Town Square is expected later this winter.