The Ames City Council got a jump start on 2018 as Third Ward Council Member David Martin took his oath of office during a City Hall ceremony Tuesday. Martin will be out of town on the standard swearing-in day. He says the weeks since his election have been filled with learning about city operations. Martin officially takes his seat on the council at its January 9th meeting. He replaces Council Member Peter Orazem, who chose not to seek another term. New mayor John Haila and incumbent council members Gloria Betcher and Amber Corrieri will be sworn in January 2nd.