The Bellevue City Council on Monday elected Don Davidson as mayor and Conrad Lee as deputy mayor for the city of Bellevue.

Lee, a native of China, is the city’s first deputy mayor born outside the United States. More than 30 percent of Bellevue residents came to this country as immigrants.

Davidson and Lee replaced Grant Degginger and Claudia Balducci, their respective predecessors, who will remain with the council as regular members.

The mayor’s primary duties include running council meetings and acting as the city’s visible spokesperson. The position does not involve veto power.

Bellevue’s city manager, Steve Sarkozy, oversees the city’s day-to-day operations.

The city council elects a mayor and deputy mayor from its own ranks every two years.

Degginger, who is entering his eleventh year with the council, served two consecutive terms as mayor from 2006 to 2010. He was also deputy mayor from 2002 until 2003.

Davidson, his replacement, has been active with the council for over 25 years, and served as mayor from 1994 to 1995, as well as mayor pro tem from 1990 until 1991.

Councilmember Kevin Wallace nominated Davidson for mayor, while Balducci nominated councilmember John Chelminiak.

Davidson won by a vote of five to three, with Balducci voting twice: once for Davidson and once for Chelminiak.

“We’ve got a lot of issues before us,” Davidson said after taking his seat as mayor. “It’s going to be an exciting time.”

Chelminiak nominated Balducci for re-election as deputy mayor, saying he wanted to return the favor.

The council voted unanimously for Lee.