Brooks registered an emphatic "no" vote against a powerful colleague, Ignacio De La Fuente, in his quest to continue as president of the City Council.

It generated the only spark in an otherwise predictable affair, held at City Hall instead of a larger venue to save money. De La Fuente remained council president by a 7-1 vote and will likely end up chairing the powerful Rules Committee, which controls the council's agenda.

Now the big question is, will Brooks' independent act cost her in the quid-pro-quo world of Oakland politics?

Stay tuned.

Brooks and fellow newcomer Jean Quan, who replaces Dick Spees in District 4, joined veterans Nancy Nadel (Downtown-West Oakland), elected vice mayor during Monday's special meeting, and Jane Brunner (North Oakland).

The four women could represent a formidable voting bloc -- or not. Still, the revised membership represents quite a change from the predominantly male arrangement that's been around as long as anyone can remember.

Mayor Jerry Brown kicked off his second term with an earnest and low-key speech in which he resolved to find ways to reduce the "senseless violence that tears up families" and keeps many young men stuck in a revolving door to San Quentin Prison.

He pledged to work with local, county and state officials to strengthen laws that would better enable prisoners to lead lawful, productive lives on the outside.

Although he cautioned that the city's looming budget deficit and the state's fiscal crisis foreshadow a tough year for Oakland, Brown said the combination of public and private investments bode well for continued positive momentum in all areas of the city.

Also starting off second terms were Danny Wan (Grand Lake-Chinatown) and City Auditor Roland Smith, both of whom ran unopposed.

Two new Oakland school board members -- David Kakishiba and Gary Yee -- also were sworn in during the ceremony, as was re-elected board member Dan Siegel.After-school programs

Quan with family at City Hall

Quan, the first Asian-American woman elected to the council, stayed true to her school board roots by promising to push for more after-school programs to engage the city's youth in creative ways.

"Cities with good after-school programs have 40 percent less crime," Quan said. "A city that doesn't take care of its people cannot be a great city. ... Education is everyone's business."

Over 40 neighborhood volunteers stand with Quan at inauguration ceremony.

Brooks called for the council to work together to make the city a better , safer place for youth and for those living on the margins of society.

"As bad as we think these times are, these are the good old days of our children," Brooks said. "We're at a critical juncture. ... We need to work collectively to make children and youth our priority. ... We need to think not only of our own district but the city as a whole. If we (work) together, we will accomplish things we can all be proud of."

De La Fuente said he could not have said it better himself.

"If I can give any advice to my new colleagues, it's that one councilmenber can't change the dynamics of the council," he said. "We all want to work with our new colleagues to get things done."Building consensus

Brooks' "no" vote notwithstanding, De La Fuente said he is adept at building consensus among different factions, and he expects to continue doing that with the new council -- strong female bloc or no.

"We have a history of independent thinkers on the council, and this won't be different than any other council," he said.

Brooks said there was not anything sinister in her vote against De La Fuente. She just said she learned long ago that nobody should take anyone's vote for granted. De La Fuente did not ask for hers, so she did not give it.

On the other hand, Brooks said she asked for three Council committee assignments -- Community and Economic Development, Finance, and Rules -- but did not get any of them. She will serve on Public Works and Public Safety.

While family, friends and city workers jostled for space inside the cramped council chambers and enjoyed cake and sparkling cider afterwards, the very people they were elected to serve waited for the bus outside, unaware of what they were missing.

"Why doesn't the mayor come out and visit the shelters?" said DeDe Dobson of North Oakland. "I can take the mayor to my shelter where I work and show him what it's like. ... He's not out here every day to it. For real, he needs to come out and see and we can give him ideas."

Madelyn Kelly of West Oakland said the whole political process is discouraging. She said she never sees politicians unless they want something.

"I know the mayor wants to do this whole arts thing downtown, but it's not what you know, it's who you know," she said.

Staff writer Laura Counts contributed to this story