City council is the legislative branch of government that creates, passes, and amends local laws. It also approves the city budget and holds public hearings. City council members are elected by voters and represent the interests of their district or ward. A city may have a single at-large system where everyone votes for the whole city, or a multi-member system where each district or ward gets one council member.
A council is made up of a number of people (usually between five and 51) who are elected to serve on it. In the United States, these people are commonly referred to as council members or councilors. In some countries, including Canada, they are called aldermen or councillors.
Councils are able to pass laws that regulate the way cities operate, such as zoning laws that dictate what types of buildings can be built where (can you turn an old factory into apartments?) or if different kinds of businesses can open nearby (does that liquor store need a liquor license?). They can also create boards or commissions to help solve complex problems.
City council members are often highly involved in their community. They often meet with constituents, host town halls, and work on committees that focus on important issues such as transportation, affordable housing, and education. They also set the city’s budget, and may serve on a variety of other panels, like land use and finance.