Presiding over the last of what he counted as over 500 Atmore City Council meetings, Mayor Howard Shell dismissed Monday’s meeting with a final bang of his gavel.

A visibly emotional Shell told the crowd he was honored to have served the city of Atmore as mayor for 24 total years.

“It’s been a good 24 years,” Shell said. “I can’t say enough good things about the councils I have served with.”

Shell said his wife Nannette, who was in attendance at Monday’s meeting, had never come to one before, but wanted to show her support for his final city council appearance. Shell also said he has full confidence in the new leadership that will take office in November, including new city council members Susan Smith and Chris Harrison, as well as incoming mayor Jim Staff.

“All you can do is work together,” Shell said. “We’ve been through some good times and we’ve been through some trying times. This office is not about Howard Shell or the next man. It belongs to the people.”

Before dismissing the crowd for the last time, Shell promised, while leaving office, he would not be leaving behind the city of Atmore.

“I might be leaving the office, but I’ll never leave the city,” he said. “The city will always be in my heart.”

In other business the current city council:

• approved resolution 2012-28 following a brief public hearing on the matter. The resolution will allow a street vacation to the south end of Becon Lane. The improvement is part of a plan to extend the Atmore Municipal Airport runway past 5,000 feet in an effort to allow for more air traffic.

• approved the reappointment of Cynthia Rodgers to the Atmore Library Board.

• approved the transfer of a beer and wine license from Southern Family Market to new owners, Belle Foods, LLC.

• approved the petition for a paving project expansion from work currently being done on Alabama 21 to seven to eight streets for approximately $115,000.

• approved a lease agreement for Cecil Daniel for three acres of property.