The city council is the main law-making body for a city. They decide what a new park will look like, where new affordable housing gets built, whether your local gas station can have gaming machines and much more. City council members act as the voice of the people, and make decisions based on what the city’s residents want.

They also pass ordinances and local laws. They might impose a new stoplight, carve out a bike lane or ban DIY guns. A city council is also responsible for how the land is used, which means they have several committees and subcommittees focused on zoning.

Each committee has its own process for drafting bills and holding hearings to gather input from citizens and experts. Once a bill is finished it goes back to the full council where it can be debated and possibly amended. If passed, the bill will go to the mayor who will approve or reject it, or sign it into law. If the mayor rejects it, then it will go back to the council for another vote. If the council passes it again, then it becomes law.

The city council has 35 standing and select committees with oversight of various functions of the City government. Each member sits on at least three standing or select committees. There are also four additional non-standing or subcommittee meetings that each council member can attend. Click here for a list of committees and meeting schedules.