A Beginner’s Guide for the Public
Think of a City Council meeting like a public business meeting where elected officials make decisions about how the city is run — decisions that can affect roads, parks, police, housing, budgets, and many other community issues.
Everyone is welcome to attend, watch, or speak during certain parts of the meeting.
Leads the meeting: opens and closes it, keeps discussions organized, recognizes speakers, and makes sure everyone follows the rules. The Mayor is not the "boss" of the other Council Members — each Council Member has one vote.
Helps the Mayor and leads the meeting if the Mayor is absent.
Elected by residents to listen to the public, ask questions, debate issues, and vote on city business.
Runs the city's day-to-day operations — think of this role as the city's CEO — and carries out the policies approved by the City Council.
Provides legal advice and doesn't vote. Explains what the law allows, whether actions are legal, and what legal risks may exist.
Prepares agendas, records minutes, keeps official records, calls speakers, and records votes.
Minutes are the official written record of everything that happened during the meeting. They summarize:
Minutes are not word-for-word transcripts.
This is one of the most important parts of the meeting. Residents can speak directly to the Council — usually each speaker receives a limited amount of time (often one to three minutes).
People may speak about almost any city issue. However, the Council usually cannot debate or make decisions on topics that are not listed on the agenda.
Sometimes the Council receives letters, emails, petitions, or reports. Receiving them does not necessarily mean the Council agrees with them — it simply means they become part of the official record.
Sometimes agenda items are moved to manage time — items may be postponed, discussed earlier, or removed.
The Consent Calendar is a group of routine items expected to be approved without much discussion — for example, approving previous meeting minutes, paying bills, routine contracts, and budget adjustments. Instead of voting on each one separately, the Council usually votes on all of them together.
Yes. A Council Member can ask to “pull” an item, which means it will be discussed separately.
A Public Hearing is a formal opportunity for the public to comment before the Council makes certain decisions. Public Hearings are commonly required for zoning changes, development projects, budget matters, and certain ordinances. Everyone who wishes to speak is given the opportunity.
These are issues requiring discussion and a decision — typical Action Items include new city programs, major contracts, budget decisions, policies, and land use decisions. This is where most debate occurs.
After discussion, a Council Member makes a motion — a formal proposal. For example: “I move that the City Council approve the project.”
Another Council Member must second the motion, meaning: “I agree this proposal should be discussed and voted on.” A second does not necessarily mean the person supports the proposal — it simply allows the Council to vote.
Council Members debate the issue — asking staff questions, suggesting changes, explaining their opinions, and discussing impacts.
After discussion, the Mayor calls for a vote:
A member may abstain because of a conflict of interest, personal reasons, or to avoid the appearance of bias.
If enough members vote “Yes,” the motion carries — the proposal passed.
If there are not enough “Yes” votes, the proposal fails. Nothing changes unless another motion is made.
Expresses the Council's official decision or policy and usually takes effect immediately. Examples: supporting a program, accepting a report, declaring an awareness month.
A law — examples include speed limits, zoning rules, and business regulations. Passing an ordinance usually requires multiple steps and often takes effect after a waiting period.
Changes how city money is allocated — for example, moving money from one project to another, or funding a new study.
Sometimes the Council is not ready to decide, so they defer the item — meaning “we will discuss this at a future meeting.”
Near the end of the meeting, Council Members may ask that future topics be placed on a later agenda. This does not mean the Council is approving the idea — it simply means they are requesting future discussion.
When all business is finished, the Mayor officially ends the meeting and the next meeting date is announced.
City Council meetings are designed to be open to everyone. Residents can:
Public input helps elected officials understand community concerns before making decisions.
Browse Culver City Meetings| Term | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| Agenda | The list of topics to be discussed during the meeting |
| Minutes | The official written record of the meeting |
| Motion | A proposal to take action |
| Second | Agreement to allow the proposal to be voted on |
| Vote | Council Members decide yes or no |
| Aye | Yes |
| No | No |
| Abstain | Choosing not to vote |
| Quorum | Minimum number of members needed to conduct business |
| Resolution | An official Council decision or statement |
| Ordinance | A city law |
| Consent Calendar | Routine items voted on together |
| Public Comment | Time when residents can speak to the Council |
| Public Hearing | A formal public comment process required before certain decisions |
| Adjourn | Officially end the meeting |
| Item | A specific topic, proposal, report, contract, or decision on the agenda. Items are usually labeled (e.g. C-1, A-2, PH-1): C = Consent Calendar, A = Action Item, PH = Public Hearing, P = Presentation, R = Recognition. |