Richmond City Council will be seeking a new chief of staff after quietly accepting on Monday the resignation of Lou Brown Ali, who has held the post since 2011 after serving as the city clerk.

Ms. Ali is expected to leave in early January as the council elects new leadership.

City Council President Chris A. Hilbert, 3rd District, has said he would not seek a new two-year term in the leadership post.

Mr. Hilbert, who has served 13 years on the council, said he is not resigning from the governing body, just stepping down as president to allow someone else to serve as the chief council spokesman and presiding officer at meetings.

He said he has not yet decided whether he will seek a fifth term in 2020. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS