Two months after election day, Seattle's new and returning political leaders took their oaths of office during the Jan. 4 Seattle City Council meeting.

The ceremony was old hat for returning councilmembers Nick Licata and Richard Conlin, who was reelected by the council as its president, while some of the first-timers found it difficult to contain their excitement.

"I'm having trouble keeping the smile off my face today," Mike O'Brien said after being sworn in for his first term on the Seattle City Council.

New City Attorney Peter Holmes was mostly relieved to have the campaign behind him.

"If you carry a cat by the tail, you can learn things you couldn't learn in any other way," Holmes said of the campaign, paraphrasing Mark Twain.

The ceremony kicked off with Mayor Mike McGinn's two daughters administering the oath of office to their father.

McGinn said it was fitting that his daughters would swear him in because his wife says that he has taken his work in the community more seriously since he became a father.

McGinn said he takes office as the city is facing serious economic challenges.

"We don't enter into this budget process lightly," he said.

In that spirit, McGinn signed four executive orders today that freeze salaries for senior-level employees and decrease their furlough days, require the mayor's office to review any new hires, require the mayor's office to review any new contracts, and start the process of reducing management and executive-level employees by 200 positions.

McGinn said Seattle residents, despite the current economic situation, are resolved to act to improve their city, having shown that by recently voting for housing and parks levies and light rail.

"The citizens of Seattle believe in this city," he said. "That's why we are here. We have heard that again and again."

Working together with residents to build an even better Seattle was a recurring theme during the ceremony.

After taking his oath, Holmes said residents' work did not end with casting their ballots. He said they need to keep informed to make sure the government is working – protecting them and not harming them.

Holmes received one of the afternoon's largest rounds of applause during his post-oath speech when he said he wants to make sure Seattle is not in the jail-building business and instead seeks more effective ways to keep people safe.

Conlin said the city needs a renewed focus on meaningful involvement of its neighborhoods and to ensure that they are safe and vibrant places to live.

Licata said Seattle should be proud of the amount of citizen involvement in its government through citizen advisory panels and commissions.

O'Brien and second first-time councilmember Sally Bagshaw both said they are looking forward to working with city residents and the other city leaders to tackle issues and keep Seattle a great place to live.

McGinn closed his speech by saying he wants to partner with residents and the city council to build the Seattle they believe in.

McGinn is holding a town hall from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 9 at City Hall, 600 Fifth Ave., that will include his inaugural speech. He said he will be discussing the city's progressive agenda on issues like transportation, education and safety.

The town hall will be an opportunity for citizens to meet the mayor and talk with representatives from a number of city departments.