DETROIT -- The Detroit City Council completed its official transitition of power Thursday between outgoing president Ken Cockrel Jr. and incoming president Monica Conyers.

Cockrel is set to become Detroit's 61st mayor Friday at 12:01 a.m.

"This meeting stands adjourned," said Cockrel, who then passed the official council gavel to Conyers.

"This is my last meeting with all of you. It hasn't always been a pleasure," Cockrel joked, "but I will say it has certainly been an honor serving with each and every one of you. I look forward to continue working with you (as mayor)."

Other members of council gave Cockrel a standing ovation and later said they expect a better working relationship with the mayor's office.

One example, according to Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel, is the debate over federal Block Grant funds.

Cockrel said, in the past, some council members and outgoing Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick disagreed over how the funds should be used.

"The mayor's office has agreed to sort of lay down the arms and let's agree to the allocations council made back at budget time," Sheila Cockrel said.

Conyers said she is hoping to forge a better working relationship with Ken Cockrel, with whom she often sparred on council.

"I have been talking with the incoming mayor. I'd like to work closely with him with the police and fire situation on how we can better move the city forward," Conyers said.

"The beauty of a democracy is we can agree to disagree," said Ken Cockrel. "But at the end of the day we have to try and work it all out for the good of the city."

Cockrel and Conyers will officially take their new positions at midnight Thursday.