Harrisburg City Council
Encyclopedia
The Harrisburg City Council, is the legislative
branch of the city government
of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
and consists of seven members elected at-large. The council
president is elected by the members and presides over the Council meetings. In the event of illness or absence of the President, the Vice President presides over the meetings. Each member's term is four years, serving part time, and there are no limits on the number of terms a member may serve.
is initially in the form of a resolution
introduced by a Council member. Before a resolution can be enacted, it must be referred by the president of the council to an appropriate standing committee
, considered at a public hearing
and public meeting, reported out by the committee, printed as reported by the committee, distributed to the members of the council, and made available to the public. Passage of a bill requires the favorable vote of a majority of all members. A resolution becomes law upon the approval of the mayor. If the mayor vetoes a bill, the council may override the veto by a two-thirds vote. City Council also confirms all Department Directors and certain other Mayoral appointees.
City Council considers and evaluates legislative concerns through a study committee structure consisting of committees on:
Key to Chart
† President of Council
* Vice-President of Council
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
branch of the city government
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
and consists of seven members elected at-large. The council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
president is elected by the members and presides over the Council meetings. In the event of illness or absence of the President, the Vice President presides over the meetings. Each member's term is four years, serving part time, and there are no limits on the number of terms a member may serve.
Legislative Process
Every proposed ordinanceLocal ordinance
A local ordinance is a law usually found in a municipal code.-United States:In the United States, these laws are enforced locally in addition to state law and federal law.-Japan:...
is initially in the form of a resolution
Resolution (law)
A resolution is a written motion adopted by a deliberative body. The substance of the resolution can be anything that can normally be proposed as a motion. For long or important motions, though, it is often better to have them written out so that discussion is easier or so that it can be...
introduced by a Council member. Before a resolution can be enacted, it must be referred by the president of the council to an appropriate standing committee
Committee
A committee is a type of small deliberative assembly that is usually intended to remain subordinate to another, larger deliberative assembly—which when organized so that action on committee requires a vote by all its entitled members, is called the "Committee of the Whole"...
, considered at a public hearing
Hearing (law)
In law, a hearing is a proceeding before a court or other decision-making body or officer, such as a government agency.A hearing is generally distinguished from a trial in that it is usually shorter and often less formal...
and public meeting, reported out by the committee, printed as reported by the committee, distributed to the members of the council, and made available to the public. Passage of a bill requires the favorable vote of a majority of all members. A resolution becomes law upon the approval of the mayor. If the mayor vetoes a bill, the council may override the veto by a two-thirds vote. City Council also confirms all Department Directors and certain other Mayoral appointees.
City Council considers and evaluates legislative concerns through a study committee structure consisting of committees on:
- Administration
- Budget and Finance
- Building and Housing
- Community and Economic Development
- Children and Youth
- Parks and Recreation
- Public Safety
- Public Works.
City Council Members
The City Council as of February 2010 is as follows:| District | Name | Took Office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gloria Martin-Roberts† | 2004 | Dem |
| 2 | Patty Kim* | 2004 | Dem |
| 3 | Brad Koplinski | 2007 | Dem |
| 4 | Susan Brown Wilson | 2007 | Dem |
| 5 | Wanda D. Williams | 2004 | Dem |
| 6 | Eugenia G. Smith | 2010 | Dem |
| 7 | Kelly D. Summerford | 2010 | Dem |
Key to Chart
† President of Council