The city council sets policy for the community and oversees basic services. It enacts laws, sets fiscal policies and approves spending, including capital improvements. It establishes zoning ordinances and hears thousands of public requests each year.
A council’s work reflects the character and priorities of its members and their communities. While a council may adopt a set of values, its members often disagree about how to implement them. It is important to develop a clear and concise vision for the future of the city and prioritize projects that support that vision. It is also crucial to negotiate effectively and build strong partnerships with colleagues and staff.
In addition to policy-making, the council conducts oversight hearings on issues of concern. The council may override a mayor’s veto by a two-thirds majority. It can also convene committees to investigate specific matters of interest and establish ad hoc agencies with quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial status, such as a human rights commission or a zoning appeals board.
The council has 35 standing and select committees, and each member sits on at least three of these. The council president and speaker of the council serve as ex officio members of all committees. The city council consists of 15 members, 12 elected from single-member districts and three elected at large (citywide). Council members are elected to four-year terms. In the event of a vacancy, the council elects a member to fill the remainder of the term. The city council is the judge of the qualifications of its members and may investigate any conduct that constitutes grounds for forfeiture of office. It has the power to subpoena witnesses and administer oaths.