Office of the Mayor and City Council
Mayor and City Council
The Mayor is the chief elective officer of the City, and is appointed by the City Council. The Mayor presides over City Council meetings and exercises those powers established in the City Charter. The Mayor Pro Tempore acts in the Mayor’s absence. The City Council is the governing body of the City and exercises legal powers designated in the City Charter. The Mayor and City Council are active in the areas listed below.
Intergovernmental Relations
The Mayor and City Council hold a number of special assignments and appointments to various boards and commissions dealing with other government agencies. Intergovernmental relations include state/county relations, the Criminal Justice Council, Orange County Sanitation District, the Vector Control District, the Orange County Transit Authority, the Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the League of California Cities, Orange County Human Relations Agency, OnTrac, and other local agencies.
Policy Development
The Mayor and City Council set overall policy and direction for the City. They exercise planning in the areas of operational and financial management, analyze public issues, conduct public hearings and study sessions for the citizens and set policy through ordinances, resolutions, and motions. The City’s programs and services are established by the adoption of the annual financial plan. New programs and services can only be approved by the City Council.
Special Programs
The City’s elected officials are involved in a variety of special programs and events to enhance the image of the City and involve citizens in their government. These programs include the Mayor’s Golf Tournament, the annual Heritage Days Festival and Parade, the 4th of July fireworks display, Earth Week Run, Cinco de Mayo, Taste of Placentia, Las Posadas, Veterans Day Observance, Holiday Decoration programs and the Employee Recognition Program. Events are implemented by the City Council, usually upon the recommendation of advisory bodies serving the City Council.
Citizen Relations
In an effort to create an open government, and be responsive to the concerns of citizens, the Mayor and City Council are actively involved in ongoing programs promoting citizen relations. These programs include the Dial-Ur-Mayor Program, providing citizens with information, conducting Town Hall meetings, issuing commendations and proclamations, and public speaking engagements. News releases and public notices are issued to make citizens aware of these programs.
Citizen Advisory Bodies
The Mayor and City Council actively seek the advice of citizen-appointed advisory bodies who serve at their pleasure. These groups include the Planning Commission, Recreation and Parks Commission, Traffic Safety Commission, Cultural Arts Commission, Historical Committee, ADA Committee, and Veterans Committee. Issues are referred to these advisory bodies for analysis and recommendation on a course of action to the City Council. Their recommendations are advisory only.
