City Government
New Rochelle operates
under a Council-Manager form of government and has
done so since 1932. There are two major components
to this system of government: the City Council and
the City Manager. The Council is the legislative
body and establishes City policies, while the City
Manager is the administrator designated to carry
out the directives of the Council. New Rochelle's
City Council consists of a Mayor and six Council
members elected by district. Since 1993, the City
has had six Council Districts. Council members are
elected from and by each district to four year terms.
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The Mayor
The Mayor serves
as a member and presiding officer of the Council.
In addition to officiating at all City ceremonial
functions, the Mayor takes an active role in promoting
the City. The Mayor also appoints members of the
Planning Board, Civil Service Commission and Parks
and Recreation Advisory Committee, among others.
The Mayor is elected at-large to a four year term.
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The City Council
The City Council,
under the City Charter, is given certain specific
duties: to set policy, to appoint the City Manager
and City Clerk, to approve the budget and to enact
local laws, resolutions and ordinances. Enactment
of any local law must be preceded by a public hearing.
A majority vote of the Council is required to pass
laws. Council members also make appointments to
certain citizen advisory committees.
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Council Meetings
The Council meets
regularly in chambers at City Hall. On the second
Tuesday of each month, the Council meets at 3:45
PM for a Committee of the Whole Meeting. At 8:00
PM, the Regular Meeting offers a citizens to be
heard segment, which provides residents with an
opportunity to register opinions and suggestions.
On the third Tuesday of the month at 8PM, the Council
holds a Legislative Session during which matters
earlier deliberated upon are subject to a vote.
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The City Manager
The City Manager,
appointed by the Council, is the Chief Administrative
officer of the City. It is the Manager's responsibility
to supervise and coordinate the work of the departments,
prepare and submit to the Council an annual budget
estimate, enforce the City's ordinances and State
laws, and execute all contracts, leases and deeds
authorized by the Council. The City Manager keeps
Council informed of the fiscal condition of the
City and its future needs, and has the power to
appoint and remove all heads of departments in the
administrative services of the City.
The City Manager
participates in the discussion of all matters coming
before Council, but has no vote. The terms under
which the Manager serves are determined by Council.
The Manager makes appointments to the Municipal
Housing Authority and the Board of Appeals on Zoning,
among others.
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