City Charter
A new Charter was enacted in 1996 that reduced the representation of
Council to 12 districts and three at- large posts effective January 1998.� The
Charter of 1974 resulted in many changes in Atlanta City government. Prior to
its adoption, the legislative body was called the Board of Aldermen and each
alderman was elected city-wide. The 1974 Charter changed the Board of Aldermen
to the City Council; the vice-mayor to the president of the Council; and
established 12 Council members to be elected from individual districts; as well
as six at-large posts.� The administration of the day-to-day operation of city
government was transferred to the executive branch, and legislative authority
was vested in the Council. This system allows the Council to maintain a strong
system of checks and balances,� which in turn, demands and implements sound
fiscal policies
Legislative Process
Legislation may be introduced on the floor of Council by a Councilmember
as a personal paper, or as a committee agenda item.� In either case, legislation
is referred to a committee for discussion at some time.
Ordinances and Resolutions
Legislation takes two forms, ordinances and resolutions. An ordinance establishes
a permanent rule of government. Every official act of the Council, having
the force and effect of law, must be an ordinance. Ordinances must be read
before the full Council at two regular meetings. There are exceptions,
for example, a Charter Amendment requires three readings. Resolutions usually
express intent or support�of various projects and enterprises or establish
legislative policy of a general nature. Resolutions�need be read only
once and can be introduced and adopted at the same meeting.
Standing Committees
The standing committees meet to consider legislation and make
recommendations on each item. The Committees then report their actions to the
full Council. Approximately 150 pieces of legislation is handled per meeting.
Citizens have the opportunity to appear before a standing committee or the full
Council and to express their views on any piece of legislation. (Comments on
matters related to zoning changes are heard by the Zoning Review Board which
meets once a month and must give public notice�of the hearing.)� In some cases,
the Council is required by law to hold a public hearing and must notify the
public about the hearing.
Final Action
After a paper has been through the committee process, it is
voted on by the full Council. The Council may accept or reject the committee's
recommendations. A majority vote is needed for adoption. When a paper is adopted
by the Council, it is transmitted to the mayor for signature. The paper must be
approved or vetoed within eight days. If not signed or vetoed within that
period, it automatically becomes law.� If vetoed, the Council may override with
a two-thirds vote
