FALL RIVER — Mayor Jasiel Correia II, just three days after facing a federal court judge for the second time since October, strolled off the elevator Monday morning just after 9 a.m. to the sixth floor at One Government Center and headed back to work.

Hours later, City Council President Cliff Ponte submitted a letter asking Correia, facing 24 counts of federal charges tied to government corruption, to step down.

“Since you have been Mayor, you have often stated, 'You want what is best for Fall River.' I believe now is the time that you really do what is best for Fall River and temporarily step aside from your duties as Mayor of the City of Fall River," Ponte wrote. "The residents of Fall River deserve to have a government they can trust. Restoring trust needs to be the top priority."

The city council president also put Correia on notice that he intends to amend the agenda set for Tuesday and call for a vote to exercise its right under the new charter to determine whether Correia is able to perform his duties as mayor.

It would take seven out of nine votes to take any action to temporarily remove Correia from office, and would mark the council's second attempt at such a vote.

Less than a month after Correia was arrested the first time on federal charges in October, the move failed to get the appropriate number of "yes" votes.

At the time, councilors Joseph Camara, Steven Camara, Stephen Long, Leo Pelletier and Derek Viveiros rejected the motion.

Late Monday afternoon, the mayor released a response letter to Ponte, following a phone call, recommending that the council "participate in reviewing official mayoral actions." Correia offered the council president or vice president the opportunity to co-sign official documents.

"In order to continue to provide an open and transparent government for the benefit of our citizens and city, I welcome collaboration and careful review to ensure the Council is comfortable performing their duties regarding city business and votes," Correia wrote.

The City Council meets Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

Last week, and before his arrest at his home on Peckham Street Friday morning, Correia told The Herald News that he intended to attend the meeting. If Correia appears, he will fulfill a promise he made at the last City Council meeting after a showdown with the council regarding his streetscape projects.

Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com. 

City Council Letter by Phil Devitt on Scribd