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In a rather anticlimactic moment, the D.C. Council unanimously passed an increase in the minimum wage today to one of the highest levels in the country.

Council chair Phil Mendelson moved to place both the minimum wage increase and paid sick days for restaurant workers bills on the consent agenda, and that passed without any discussion. Supporters of the bills poured out into the Wilson Building’s fifth floor lobby to celebrate. The Council unanimously passed the bill on first reading earlier this month.

The increase will raise the minimum wage to $9.50 in July 2014, $10.50 the following year, and $11.50 by 2016, with future increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. Mayor Vincent Gray has promised to sign the veto-proof bill, though he told the Post’s Mike DeBonis there is “room for amendments” after the city’s academic study is done.

Also heading to Gray is an amendment to the Earned Sick and Safe Leave Act that will provide paid sick days to tipped restaurant workers after 90 days of employment. Not included is a raise to the base wage for tipped workers, though employers will be required to certify that they’re paying these workers a full minimum wage through the tip credit. Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) has proposed a separate bill to raise the base wage for tipped workers.

The Respect DC and Paid Sick Days for All coalitions, made up of groups who have been pushing for these bills for years, applauded the passage in a statement. “To win, you have to fight,” D.C. restaurant worker Alex Garcia said in a statement. “D.C. workers are achieving great changes that will benefit us and our entire city, and one of them is passage of the minimum wage increase and paid sick days by the D.C. Council. It’s been great to have the support of these coalitions in our fight, and I also want to thank the Councilmembers who have come to our side.”