Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly's motion to appoint a backup deputy mayor in the event he is not able to fulfill his role as Toronto's head chief-executive has passed.

The motion was adopted on Wednesday, and gives Coun. Mike Del Grande, the city's ex-budget chief, the keys to the city's top political office in cases where Kelly may be absent.

Del Grande is not running for re-election this fall.

Asked about the appointment prior to council’s vote on Wednesday, Del Grande joked about the job title, saying people should just call him, "Hey Mike."

"Not double-D, just hey Mike."

Late last year, Kelly assumed many of the mayor’s responsibilities after council voted to strip Rob Ford of his key powers after he had admitted to smoking crack cocaine.

Ford, who has been receiving treatment for substance abuse in Bala, Ont., is expected to launch his political comeback when he leaves the GreeneStone rehab facility on June 30.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson