President Brenda Jones Council last election November 5, 2013 | Seats 7 districts
2 at-large | |
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Founded 1824 (as the Common Council) President Pro-Tempore George Cushingberry, Jr. Council committees Budget and Finance, Neighborhood and Community Services, Human Resources, Law and Public Safety, Planning and Economic Development | ||
The Detroit City Council is the legislative body of Detroit, Michigan, United States. The full-time council is required to meet every business day for at least 10 months of the year, with at least eight of these meetings occurring at a location besides city hall. The council may convene for special meetings at the call of the mayor or at least four members of council.
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History
The City Council was first constituted as the legislative body of the city in 1824, and was called the Common Council until July 1, 1974. Prior to 1918, the council was elected from city wards. However, starting in 1918, all city council members were elected at large, unusual for a city of Detroit's size. On November 4, 2009, city voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum to once again elect most of the council by districts beginning in 2013, while allowing for two at-large seats.
Composition
The council is composed of nine members, seven of which are elected from single-member districts of approximately equal population, with two additional members elected at-large. The council includes two officers, the president and president pro tempore, who are elected from amongst the members of the council at the beginning of each new session of the body for four years terms. The officers can be removed by a unanimous vote of council exclusive of the member being removed during any session meeting. Elections to the body are officially non-partisan.
City Council Electoral Districts
A major overhaul of Detroit City Charter took place in 2012. This change moved to election by district for 7 districts and 2 at-large positions.
Current members
a. At-large Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins, first elected in 2009, resigned her seat in October 2014.
b. Janee Ayers appointed by a vote of City Council 6-2 began serving office on February 17, 2015.
Castañeda-López is the city's first Hispanic council member.
Committees
The council has five standing committees:
The council is granted the power to form additional committees at its own discretion
Vacancies and special elections
If a vacancy occurs on the city council, it is filled by appointment of the city council based on a two-thirds vote of its existing members. The appointee serves until the next general election. However, the seat remains vacant if the vacancy occurs fewer than 180 days before the next general election.
Former members
Starting in 1919, nine Detroit City Council members were elected at large. Members of the council, from 1919 to the present, are:
Salaries
As of May 2013, members of the city council collect $73,181 a year and the council president is paid $76,911 per year.
On March 30, 2015 City Council approved a pay increase placing the city in the number 11 rank among the nation's 25 largest cities. City Council members and the City Clerk will be paid $78,761, City Council President to be paid $82,776. The 2.5% raises take place July 1, 2016.