In the wake of Tuesday’s contentious and volatile three-hour public hearing, Mayor Jim Albright and council member Sharon Gieras submitted letters of resignation on Wednesday.

Gieras, whose term ends in December, said she had already decided not to run for re-election in November.

However, when Albright submitted his resignation Wednesday morning, Gieras followed a short time later.

“For the past six years I have proudly served on the City Council,” she wrote to City Manager Joan Phillipe and the council members. “The first four years were wonderful. The council, staff and employees worked as a team and we achieved a lot.

“The last two years the council has become extremely dysfunctional and it is impossible to get any constructive work done,” she continued.

The public’s treatment of city staff and consultants over the past few weeks, particularly during Tuesday night’s hearing, contributed to their decision, she added.

“The disrespectful treatment of our staff and consultants is unacceptable,” Gieras said.

Albright, whose term in office is up in two years, did not respond to calls from the Record.

Gieras indicated she would continue to volunteer with the Colfax Garden Club and the Friends of the Colfax Library.

On Tuesday night, the remaining council members will discuss whether to appoint individuals to fill the unexpired terms of office or wait until the November election.

They will also appoint a mayor and mayor pro tem.