Mayor Larry O'Brien pushed forward with business as usual at city hall on Wednesday.
While the mayor delivered his 2008 city address, his lawyers appeared in court to deal with his current legal woes.
O'Brien was charged with influence peddling on Monday.
The charges stem from allegations that he bribed mayoral rival Terry Kilrea to drop out of the 2006 mayoral race.
O'Brien, who arrived for work with his new finacee by his side on Wednesday, pushed forward with his professional obligations, saying 2008 would be a big year for the city.
"The agenda in 2008, my friends, is very full," he said.
Among O'Brien's priorities is a recycled tax promise from his 2006 campaign.
"My goal will remain zero per cent every single year of my mandate," said O'Brien.
O'Brien's other priorities for 2008 include assigning independent authorities for transit and parking in the city.
The city address received mixed signals from local councillors.
Coun. Michel Bellemare was particularly concerned with O'Brien's proposal to appoint independent authorities for the city's transit and parking.
"Whether it's parking rates or the future of public transit in Ottawa, we need to keep those debates where they are democratically accountable to the public and that's at city council," said Bellemare.
Meanwhile, Coun. Doug Thompson said he looks forward to moving ahead with the mayor's agenda.
"I think this opens a new door, and yes, I'm very optimistic," he said.
O'Brien's move to push ahead with city business despite his current legal problems should be a concern to the public, one public administration expert told CTV News.
"If in 14 months, we learn that actually these allegations stick and he's found guilty -- are we really comfortable with looking back and thinking we've had somebody with questionable power committing ... these kinds of initiatives," said Chris Stoney, a Carleton University professor.
Lawyers for the mayor are scheduled to return to court Jan. 30.
With a report from CTV's Chris Day
