City council members, sometimes called aldermen, selectmen, freeholders or trustees, are democratically elected to decide which services a municipality will provide and how those services will be paid for. They also make policy and oversight decisions for agencies that govern the city. They do most of their work in committees, where they conduct deep dives into policies and practices on a variety of topics.
Generally, legislation takes the form of ordinances and resolutions. An ordinance establishes permanent rule and has the force of law. It requires a vote of the full council at two regular meetings and has to be read in its entirety. A resolution expresses support for or opposition to projects or enterprises, establishes legislative policy of a general nature, or is an executive order. It can be adopted on a single reading and does not require a vote of the full council.
The city charter provides for essential procedures and mechanisms to govern the body, including a code of ethics and the ability to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and examine evidence. It also stipulates the events or conditions that create a vacancy in council, the grounds for forfeiture of office, and how vacancies are filled.
The charter also sets out committee structures and procedures, with sixteen standing committees organized into jurisdictional areas and appointing a chair and vice chair of each. Each committee is authorized to establish subcommittees to consider subjects within its jurisdiction. The committees meet on the call of the chair or upon request by a majority of the members.
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