The Fresno City Council decided to promote Doug Sloan to lead the City Attorney's Office, a city spokesman said Thursday evening.

Sloan is an assistant city attorney. His appointment is pending final approval of contract terms, according to a city news release issued later Thursday evening, and no timetable was announced for Sloan to assume leadership of the department.

The council met in closed session for much of the day Thursday to consider the position.

Another assistant city attorney, Francine Kanne, has served as interim city attorney since James Sanchez left City Hall at the end of November to be city attorney in Sacramento.

Council President Blong Xiong noted Thursday night that since Kanne was appointed interim by the council, two new council members -- Steve Brandau and Paul Caprioglio -- have joined the council.

Kanne and Sloan did not return phone calls Thursday. No other details about Sloan's appointment, including salary information, were immediately available.

Sanchez, who became city attorney in 2006, was paid $175,000 annually. When his departure was announced in October, council members said they'd take their time finding the right candidate at the right price.