Montevallo Mayor Ben McCrory said Monday the search for a new police chief likely won’t begin until after New Year’s.

The newly elected City Council voted unanimously to appoint Steve Holt as interim police chief instead of reappointing Kevin Peters at its Nov. 10 meeting. Holt has served at the department for 14 years.

According to the meeting minutes, Peters turned in his badge and left City Hall upon hearing the vote.

McCrory said Holt’s appointment gives the council some breathing room before a search is conducted.

In addition, the council voted unanimously to appoint Robert Doyal to the city’s planning and zoning board at its Nov. 24 meeting. Doyal’s appointment comes after McCrory’s decision not to serve on the board.

“(Doyal) used to be chairman of the planning and zoning board, so he has a lot of experience,” McCrory said.

The council later reappointed members to the housing abatement board, which allows the city to legally condemn homes. Board members are Rick Evans, Linda McCray, Bob Hitt, Gregory Reece and Phil Hurst. The board’s term expires in 2012.

In other business:

The council voted to awarded a $102,951 contract to Coston General Contractors for the city’s Merchant’s Alley Improvements Project, the first phase of planned downtown revitalization.

The project, expected to begin Dec. 1, includes asphalt paving, landscaping and pavement markings and signage.