Donal Smith was yesterday appointed Deputy Mayor of Hamilton, at the first City meeting held by the new Corporation under Mayor Graeme Outerbridge.An Alderman of the recently-elected “Team Hamilton” that replaced the administration of Charles Gosling last month, Mr Smith is also head of the corporation’s Infrastructure, Development and Future Committee.Mr Smith is president of Bermuda Emissions Control and vice president of Par-la-Ville Hotel and Residences Limited, the company seeking to build a new hotel in the city, the St Regis Bermudiana.Mr Outerbridge praised the “strong, focused and dynamic presence” Mr Smith would bring to the table.And the new Deputy Mayor said he looked forward to working with the Mayor and other Board members “as we ensure the continued efficient running of the City of Hamilton”.Mr Outerbridge also announced the formation of a new Business Advisory Committee, chaired by Councillor Troy Symonds, whose meeting schedule has yet to be announced.“We all felt it was important for the business community to be an active part of the council,” the Mayor said, adding that the new team intended to “reach out to the larger organisations” such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, the Association of Bermuda International Companies, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation and Business Bermuda.Concerns had been raised by the outgoing team that Hamilton businesses had lost a say in the running of the City, with the overhaul of municipal election rules taking away the right to vote previously enjoyed by owners of properties and businesses.Another new body is the Residential Advisory Committee, under Councillor Roseann Edwards, which Mr Outerbridge said would enable City residents to keep the council abreast of challenges, issues and concerns.Both committees were pledged by Mr Outerbridge in the run-up to the May 10 municipal elections.Other committees announced were that of Finance, which Mr Outerbridge will chair; Property and Safety, also chaired by Councillor Symonds, and Staff, Legislation and Governance, chaired by Councillor Larry ScottYesterday’s meeting also heard that the Marine Police are to vacate their headquarters in Barr’s Bay Park later this year.The high rent for the facility has been in issue in previous years. Asked for details, a police spokesman told The Royal Gazette the division was still seeking premises that suited their operational needs.A City spokeswoman said: “The Marine Police got an extension on the lease, but it looks like they’ll be moving out in September.“A Request for Proposal will be released because there has been interest expressed in the building.”The public gallery for the City meeting — a feature introduced by the previous administration — was nearly full, with about 20 people watching the proceedings.The new mayor also took suggestions from business owner Robin Gilbert, who requested better signage for public amenities around Hamilton, and Tiago Garcia, who volunteered to help the new administration develop a procedure for the commissioning of more public art in Hamilton.Useful website: www.cityofhamilton.bm