The council is taking a short break to allow no-show council candidates time to show, but the meeting is all but over, hours earlier than expected. In the words of council member Nick Licata, “See? Sometimes government can function efficiently!”

Tomorrow, the council will start whittling down the list of 90-something candidates to 12 semifinalists. The council will vote to choose their top contenders on Tuesday, January 17. The council will then split into two groups and interview the candidates on Thursday, January 19. The following Monday, January 23, they’ll announce the list of finalists. Finally, on Friday, January 27, they’ll vote; if they don’t come to a consensus, they’ll have to vote again every day until they do.