ST. PAUL-From the mayor's office to the city council, there's big changes afoot at St. Paul City Hall.

Beginning with his inauguration Jan. 2 at Central High School, his alma mater, St. Paul Mayor-elect Melvin Carter will introduce himself to the community through a week's worth of informal neighborhood events leading up to an inaugural ball at Union Depot.

As Carter enters office, he'll bring a new entourage with him, though it remains to be seen just who will fill out his Cabinet.

Rather than pick department leaders behind closed doors, Carter has chosen to vet candidates through 10 hiring panels composed of St. Paul civic and business leaders.

The panels met Tuesday and Wednesday to go through résumés and applications and determine which candidates will move on to interviews Monday and Tuesday. More than 200 applicants requested to serve on the hiring panels. Fewer than half were chosen.

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Once interviews are complete, the panels will forward a slate of finalists to Carter, who will make the hiring decisions with input from incoming Deputy Mayor Jaime Tincher, former chief of staff to Gov. Mark Dayton.

Several department leaders have chosen to reapply for their jobs, but not all.

Public Works Director Kathy Lantry, Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hahm and City Finance Director Todd Hurley are among those hoping to be reappointed.

Human Resources Director Angie Nalezny, St. Paul Planning and Economic Development Director Jonathan Sage-Martinson and City Attorney Samuel Clark have chosen to move on.

Clark announced Thursday he will run for Minnesota attorney general, assuming Lori Swanson does not seek re-election.

Carter's transition team announced Thursday that his inauguration will take place at noon Jan. 2 at St. Paul Central High School.

Throughout the week, the new mayor will hold informal meet-ups at community locations such as the Rice Street Recreation Center, where he will take part in a service project.

At 7 p.m. Jan. 5, the week will wrap up with an inaugural ball at Union Depot.

Carter and his transition office are partnering with the Rae Mackenzie Group, which has signed on as executive producers, as well as Visit St. Paul, the city's convention and visitor's bureau, which is assisting with fundraising.

A full schedule of events will be posted to the mayor's Facebook page at Facebook.com/MayorMelvinCarter.

On Dec. 7, Carter met with Minneapolis Mayor-elect Jacob Frey at Keys Cafe on Raymond Avenue to trade notes on affordable housing issues, efforts to raise the minimum wage in both cities, and other issues of regional importance.

The St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce plan to continue the annual tradition of uniting the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis for "Breakfast with the Mayors" from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Jan. 30 at the University of St. Thomas. As of Thursday afternoon, fewer than 50 tickets remained.