The inauguration of Charleston City Council officials Jeffrey Lahr and Larry Rennels was the highlight of the Tuesday night city council meeting.

Both Lahr and Rennels were re-elected into positions they had currently held for at least the past two years. Lahr was elected for a second term of office and Rennels was elected to his fourth.

“My whole career I have worked in the public service sector,” Lahr said. “I love serving and being a part of a community to make it better.”

Judge Gary Jacobs, of the 5th Judicial Circuit Court, swore in both officials to their posts for a second time. Jacobs knew both men previously and felt that it was his “honor and pleasure to be a part of the swearing in of these two gentlemen.”

Jacobs, who is a big supporter of city government, said at the inauguration that he feels city government affects people more greatly because it affects people’s everyday lives. And because of this, people need appropriate representation in city government, he added.

“These two men represent what is good, promising and noble about city government,” Jacobs said.

During the meeting, the ordinance for title 1-6-6 was approved. The ordinance changes the range of purchase levels without the burden of bidding prices for city projects, Mayor John Inyart said during the meeting.

Previously, the bid cost was placed at $10,000, causing the council to spend more time looking for the lowest bidder. Now, with the bid cost increase to $20,000, the process for bids will speed up.

Also at the meeting, the council approved both the Charleston Firefighters’ Local Union 3200 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 146’s collective bargaining agreements. With these agreements, both representations from the city, done by City Manager Scott Smith, and from the union get together with each guild to discuss changes in the contracts.

Each contract can be set for a two-to-four year period without any changes made. Both the electricians and firefighters’ contracts were updated from a three-year contract to a four-year one, Smith said.

Most of the changes made to the agreements were language clean-ups, grammar mistakes and taking out current meaningless terms. However, Smith said the biggest negotiation made was the 3 percent salary increase given to both electricians and firefighters each year for the next four years.

“This will make the team happier,” said Fire Chief Kris Phipps. ” It’s good to get [the negotiations] out of the way to do business.”

There are four unions that need city representation: firefighters, electricians, police and engineers. Police are currently in negotiations.

FACT BOX

Major Topics

-Approval of the collective bargaining agreement with both the Charleston Firefighters Local Union and Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union.

– Approval of amending title 1-6-6

-Approval of continuing the permit for 403 W. State St.

– Approval for granting variance in density for 1306 Arthur Ave.

– Layover period waved for Surface Rights Agreement with IDOT