How City Councils Create Laws And Influence Communities

City councils are the legislators of a municipality and are democratically elected to make decisions on behalf of their citizens. They are responsible for deciding which services will be provided and how they will be paid for, and they have the authority to enter into contracts on behalf of the city. City councils can pass different types of ordinances, such as amending existing laws or creating new ones, and they can also pass resolutions, which provide a perspective on a subject without being legally binding. The process of turning a bill into a law involves multiple steps, including public hearings, input from various committees, and approval from the mayor or council president. The specific details of these processes vary across different cities and states.

City council members are democratically elected legislators

The specific steps and requirements for a bill to become a law can vary depending on the city and state. In some cases, the mayor plays a significant role in the legislative process. For example, in Seattle, the mayor can veto a bill passed by the city council. However, the council can override the mayor's veto with a supermajority vote.

In New York City, the legislative process involves the Council creating and introducing bills at stated meetings. These bills are then assigned to the appropriate committee for review and a public hearing to obtain feedback. If a bill passes the committee by a majority vote, it proceeds to the full Council for consideration and another vote. After a bill is passed by the Council, it is presented to the mayor, who has the option to sign it into law, veto it, or take no action. If the mayor vetoes the bill, it is sent back to the Council, which can override the veto with a supermajority vote. Once a bill is signed by the mayor or its veto is overridden, it becomes law and is added to the city's charter or code.

City council members are accountable to the citizens who elected them and are responsible for representing their community's interests. They are also subject to certain restrictions and disclosure requirements to prevent conflicts of interest. For example, they must disclose any conflicts of interest under state laws and are prohibited from using public facilities for election campaigns. City council members are also typically not allowed to direct employees, although they can influence policy development through their contacts with key interest groups and administrative officers.

The process of making a law

City councils are the legislators of a municipality who are democratically elected to decide on various matters, including which services will be provided and how they will be funded. They can also pass resolutions on issues that are relevant to the local population.

Proposal

A proposed ordinance is brought to the attention of the city clerk, who then adds it to a city council public agenda for public comment. The clerk informs the city attorney and relevant committees within the city government. The clerk or attorney may then conduct research, checking for any existing laws or ordinances that may be in conflict with the proposed ordinance.

Review

Legislation submitted for council consideration is reviewed by the Law Department and must include a Fiscal Note, which describes the financial implications of the proposal. The legislation is then reviewed by the Council President and distributed to the committee chair. If the committee chair agrees to sponsor the legislation, it is forwarded to the city clerk, who assigns it to the appropriate committee.

Committee Review

The committee discusses and debates the proposed bill, and they may request further research, amendments, or hold the item for further consideration. The committee will also hold a public hearing to obtain feedback from the public and other government entities, which may result in amendments to the bill.

Vote

If the bill passes the committee by majority vote, it is sent to the full council for consideration and voted on at a stated meeting. The bill must again pass by majority vote. After a bill is passed by the council, it is presented to the mayor, who has a set number of days (typically 10 calendar days or 30 days) to sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

Veto

If the mayor vetoes the bill, it is sent back to the council, which can then choose to override the mayor's veto with a supermajority vote (typically 2/3 or 6 votes). If the mayor does not sign or veto the bill within the given time frame, it becomes law.

Once a bill is signed or its veto overridden, it is added to the city's charter or code. This process, known as codification, involves formatting the law for readability, understanding, and clarity, making it accessible to all citizens.

The role of the mayor

Mayors may be in a "strong-mayor" setting, where they have significant administrative and legislative responsibilities, or a "weak-mayor" structure, where they are on par with other members of the town council. In a "strong-mayor" setting, the mayor may have the power to appoint and oversee municipal managers and employees, provide basic government services to constituents, and execute laws and ordinances passed by the municipal governing body. They may also have the authority to recommend policies to the council, break tie votes, and veto legislation.

In some cases, the role of the mayor may be more ceremonial, with executive responsibilities delegated to an elected mayor or another official. For example, many major cities in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth have a lord mayor, a position that is often ceremonial but can also hold executive duties in some cases.

The mayor's responsibilities can also vary depending on the selection process. In some cases, the mayor is directly elected by the public, while in other cases, they may be selected by an elected governing council or board. Directly elected mayors may have greater powers, combining the "civic" mayor role with that of the leader of the council.

Overall, the mayor plays a crucial role in representing the community and ensuring the general welfare of the city. They work with residents to receive comments and complaints and collaborate with the administrator and council to address these concerns. Effective mayors should demonstrate empathy and leadership skills to inspire and achieve results, serving the needs of all their constituents.

The role of the city clerk

• Managing city council meetings: This includes handling all pre-meeting planning, such as scheduling, setting up the meeting room, and communicating with elected officials and the public. City clerks also prepare and distribute the meeting agenda, take roll call, and record and distribute meeting minutes.
• Records management: The city clerk maintains the city's official records, manages historical records and archives, and ensures the accessibility of public documents. They also play a crucial role in fostering civic education and transparency in city governance.
• Legislative support: The city clerk informs the relevant parties about proposed ordinances and adds them to the city council's public agenda for public comment. They work closely with the city attorney and committees within the city government, conducting legal research and ensuring compliance with state and local laws.
• Financial duties: City clerks often assist in preparing the annual city budget, balancing the city's finances, and working with city auditors. They also receive legislation submitted to the council and ensure it includes a Fiscal Note describing the financial impact.
• Public engagement: The city clerk serves as a liaison between the city council and the public, facilitating civic participation and ensuring that citizens are educated, informed, and involved in the legislative process.

The city clerk plays an essential role in ensuring the smooth operation of city governance, providing support to the city council, and promoting transparency and civic engagement. The position requires a wide range of skills and the ability to adapt to the varying needs of the local government.

The role of committees

In the law-making process, committees play a vital role in gathering information, conducting research, and seeking input from the public and relevant government entities. This input is essential for committees to make informed decisions that benefit the city and its citizens. The committee's work ensures that a range of community needs are considered and that the potential impact of laws and policies is thoroughly assessed.

Once a proposed bill is introduced, it is assigned to the appropriate committee. The committee then holds public hearings to obtain feedback and input from the community and affected entities. This process allows for transparency and ensures that laws are responsive to the needs and concerns of those they will impact. During committee review, councilmembers discuss, debate, and may direct staff to conduct further research or make amendments to the bill.

After careful consideration and deliberation, the committee votes on the bill. If the bill passes the committee by a majority vote, it is then sent to the full council for further discussion and a final vote. This process ensures that laws are thoroughly vetted and that the community has multiple opportunities to provide input and influence the legislation that affects them.

Frequently asked questions