The council then elected Marsh mayor. He became Richmond's first African-American mayor. He continued as mayor until 1982, on the City Council until 1991, when elected to the state senate, as discussed below. During these years (until a citywide referendum in passed in 2003 required the mayor to been elected at large), Richmond had a strong council/weak mayor balance of power, and also used a city manager (William Leidinger) to handle day-to-day operations. Marsh led a coalition of black council members, who made substantive changes in the city, starting with Leidinger's replacement by a manager more willing to address minority issues. The new coalition also adopted a human rights ordinance, worked on downtown Richmond's revitalization, and ensured appointment of African Americans to boards and commissions to reflect their contributions to the city.