Tuesday night’s Antioch City Council meeting marked the end of one era and the beginning of another.

After a combined 26 years of service, Jim Davis and Brian Kalinowski left the dais as Wade Harper was sworn in as mayor and Mary Rocha and Monica Wilson as council members. “Take a break, but stay engaged in the city because we can certainly use you,” Antioch City Councilmember Gary Agopian told the two outgoing members of the council.

Davis, who served the city for 14 years as mayor and as a council member, thanked the capacity crowd for the opportunity to represent the city’s residents. “It was an honor and privilege to serve here for the last 14 years,” Davis said.

In his final address to the public as a member of the council, Kalinowski remarked that serving for 12 years was enjoyable but not always easy. “In the darkest of times, in the bleakest of times, it was an honor to serve with the four people up here,” said Kalinowski before leaving the dais.

As Antioch’s first black mayor, Harper promised full dedication to the city. He intends to retire from the Tracy Police Department in January to focus on Antioch and its residents. “I’m going to forgo a victory speech,” Harper told the crowd. “We can take a victory lap together when we reduce crime.”

Councilmembers Monica Wilson and Mary Rocha were also installed Tuesday along with Treasurer Donna Conley. Rocha became the mayor pro tem after receiving the highest number of votes among council candidates in November’s election.

To fill the vacant council seat left open following Harper’s mayoral oath of office, the new council voted unanimously to accept applications instead of holding an election or conferring the seat on Davis, who finished third in the council race.

Applications must be submitted to the city clerk’s office by Dec. 13 at 4:30 p.m. and must contain 20 to 30 signatures of registered voters in Antioch, a candidate statement of no more than 400 words and financial disclosure forms.

Applicants will be allowed three minutes to speak at the Dec. 18 council meeting. The vacant seat will be filled later that night.

All required paperwork may be picked up at City Hall, 200 H St., or online at www.ci.antioch.ca.us.