St. Paul city council president Mitra Jalali is stepping down.
In a statement, Jalali said it was a difficult decision, but she's prioritizing her health by leaving government service.
Jalali was on council for six years, and was elected the panel's president last year when voters appointed St. Paul's first all-female city council.
Her last meeting is scheduled for Feb. 5.
Jalali represented Ward 4, which includes Snelling Ave. and Como Park.
Council will select an interim Ward 4 representative, with the seat eventually filled in a special election.
Jalali herself won a special election for her first term on council, filling the seat vacated by Russ Stark, who joined the administration of Mayor Melvin Carter.
Carter himself endorsed Jalali for the post, making her council's first-ever Asian-American woman member.
When Jalili gives up her seat, Ward 2's Rebecca Noecker becomes council's longest-serving member.
