UPDATED at 11:52 p.m.

Two veteran Cleveland City Council members unexpectedly announced their resignations Thursday evening, both citing a desire for new opportunities.

Majority Leader Sabra Pierce Scott, 50, a two-term councilwoman from Glenville, and Councilman Roosevelt Coats, 60, the South Collinwood representative since 1987, will step down at the end of the month. Both are solid allies of Council President Martin J. Sweeney, who said he was unaware of their plans until 5:30 p.m.

"I've got a couple of things to do," Pierce Scott said in a phone interview, who added she does not have another job lined up. "I'm not leaving for any other reason other than it has been a great two terms."

Coats said, "Twenty-one-and-a-half years is long enough. It's time to do something else. I'm blessed I can leave on a good note, nothing or no one is pushing me out."

Sweeney called his colleagues late Thursday with the news. One veteran councilman said the council president sounded stunned by the abrupt resignations.

"Surprised? Not totally," Sweeney said when reached by phone.

"They were absolutely wonderful colleagues," he added.

Council members were blindsided by the announcements.

"I am shocked and stunned," Councilman Zack Reed said.

Coats, in a phone interview, said he plans to recommend State Rep. Eugene Miller for his job and seek Miller's Ohio House seat.

Coats said he plans to spend more time with his family, especially his youngest son, who is 17.

He described the legislature as less demanding and a "different mind set" as opposed to his seat on council. Pierce Scott said she would recommend Shari Cloud, executive director of the nonprofit organization, Sankofa Fine Art Plus, as her successor. Council protocol allows an outgoing member in good standing to recommend a replacement. Sweeney said he met Thursday evening with Cloud and Miller.

"I look forward to working with their replacements," Sweeney said.

Council turnover has been memorably high under Sweeney's reign. Last year, four council seats became vacant, including those of Fannie Lewis, who died, and Robert J. White, who pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge.

Asked about losing two loyal allies in Coats and Pierce Scott, Sweeney, whose tenure has been tinged by scandal and unsuccessful attempts to throw him out said: "It gives me the opportunity to gain two more [allies]."

Coats made his announcement in front of about 80 residents in Ward 10 Thursday night at Five Points Community Center on East 152nd Street. Coats and Miller were both in the neighborhood where they have been working the past few months to set up a weed-and-seed public safety program.

Miller, who represents the 10th district, said he was surprised by Coats' recommendation.

"I was shocked," Miller said. "I am very humbled because this was not a Eugene idea. This was presented to me and I'm taking it on as a challenge."

The 34-year-old Cleveland resident, who is in his second term as a state representative, has come a long way since he dropped out of Glenville High in 1992. He got his GED at age 20 and received a bachelor's degree in sociology at Baldwin-Wallace College in 2003. He is working on a master's degree at Tiffin University and plans to graduate in the spring.

Miller said if he wins Coats' seat, he would work on public safety and economic development in the ward.

"I have a lot of work to do," Miller said. "I can't assume that just because they supported me as a state rep they will support me as a councilman."

In a news release sent by Pierce Scott, Cloud said, "I will work diligently to provide leadership and service to the residents of Ward 8 and am committed to fostering partnerships and seeking opportunities to move our community forward."

The remaining 19 council members will have the final vote on their departing colleagues' replacements. Council members make about $74,000 a year.

Reporters Gabriel Baird, Peter Krouse and John Caniglia contributed to this story.