No surprise: Hayek picked for another term as Iowa City mayor

Matt Hayek, as expected, was selected Wednesday by the City Council to serve another two-year term as mayor of Iowa City.

The City Council chose Hayek with a 7-0 vote. Much of the activity for the mayoral selection occurs behind the scenes, and there was no discussion before the vote, as is often the case at the council's organizational meeting.

The Gazette reported in November that Hayek would be the unanimous choice among council members to serve a second term as mayor. He was praised as a smart, well-spoken and respected leader.

The Iowa City mayor is “first among equals” and has one vote just like other council members. The mayor runs City Council meetings, helps set meeting agendas, serves as the primary spokesman for the city and is the council's point person with the city manager.

Iowa City is one of just a few Iowa towns in which city council members pick the mayor from among themselves.

The 42-year-old Hayek is a partner in a downtown Iowa City law firm. He was re-elected to a second term as an at-large member of the City Council in November.

Susan Mims was voted mayor pro tem by a 7-0 vote.

Wednesday also marked the first official meeting of new council members Michelle Payne, Jim Throgmorton and Rick Dobyns.