It’s down to business for the newly-sworn-in city council, says Coun. Mellisa Murray.

Murray said in an interview Monday morning the city’s administration is already getting council familiar with the issues affecting the city.

There have also been some process issues discussed at two orientation meetings hosted by city officials, she said.

“There is a lot of meetings scheduled over the next two months,” she said.

Murray said the start to the three-year term following the Oct. 21 municipal election has been good.

This is all new to her, having never run for the position of city councillor, she said.

Murray received support from 3,011 voters, which was more votes than any of the other six members of council.

“I am a little bit nervous,” she said. “But I am excited to learn and understand everything.”

The new council was sworn in late Monday afternoon, and councillors were assigned to the various committees.

Murray, for instance, was appointed at Monday’s meeting to serve as chair of the community services committee and vice-chair of the development services committee. She was also chosen to serve as deputy mayor from now until the end of December.

“I have never done this before,” she said. “Politics is new to me.”

Having the most votes has provided her with more confidence in her ability to do the job, Murray said.

Several dignitaries attended the swearing-in ceremony, including Chief Justice Suzanne Duncan of the Yukon Supreme Court, who swore in the seven council members.

A couple of cabinet ministers were also in the gallery, as well as Grand Chief Peter Johnston of the Council of Yukon First Nations.

While Chief Doris Bill of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation couldn’t make it, elder Judy Gingell represented the First Nation.

New Chief Amanda Leas of the Ta’an Kwach’an Council also attended the meeting.

“I am nervous but more excited to learn and understand things,” Murray said.

“I think mentally, I am prepared for it because I mentally decided I wanted to run for city council over a year ago.”

Murray said she has already attended a flag-raising ceremony at city hall, and will be attending the Remembrance Day ceremony.

Leading up to her run for council, she said, she watched the council meetings on TV to get an understanding of the issues and concerns the city is facing.

She said she has a general understanding of what those issues are.

The new councillor said she is ready to hit the ground running.

Her husband and her father were the gallery to witness the swearing-in.