City Council and Your Power as a Citizen

Sometime in the fall of 2024, I attended a meeting of my local Palo Alto city council. Having attended quite a few in Fremont, CA as a reporter for the Tri-City Voice, I knew these meetings tend to be long and boring, but also where really consequential decisions are taken that impact the lives of residents in immediate ways.

This time, the issue at hand was the expansion of a runway at the small airport in Palo Alto, mostly used for hobby planes and the occasional ultralight private jet. A small cadre of passionate residents had been spreading the word about the need to halt this proposal (which was backed by private plane owners and flight schools) and I was persuaded to attend.

An overflow crowd gathered at the council chambers on the day the runway was on the agenda. Several people signed chits to speak. Everybody shuffled in their seats and looked at their phones while routine city matters were being taken care of, but as soon as the runway item came up, the atmosphere turned electric. 

One by one, the residents spoke against the runway; some made emotional speeches about the impact of the noise on the fauna of the protected baylands next door, others brought data to show the projected levels of pollution. There were long-time Palo Altans, there were public officials, there were hippies and professors. Everyone was respectful but firm. We did not want the runway expansion. When the proponents of the runway finally got the chance to make their case, the room didn’t boo, but you could tell the air had gone out of the expansion arguments. 

The council members looked at each other and took the temperature of the room. Perhaps they were swayed by the arguments, perhaps they were thinking of their re-election. Either way, the runway idea was scrapped.

What do city councils do?

City councils make critical decisions about housing, parks, roads, police and fire services, libraries, water, transportation, and many other issues that impact our daily lives. Should a fire station in this neighborhood be removed? Should the library hours be curtailed? Even small decisions like these make a material difference to our lives in a way that lofty federal laws sometimes do not. And in a world where power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of corporations and wealthy interests, a city council meeting is a rare place where an ordinary citizen can walk into a room and exercise real power.

(Companies know this. Flock, the surveillance company that works with law enforcement to spy on citizens, has a guide on how to influence city councils because it depends on city contracts.)

How do city council meetings work?

City councils usually publish an agenda before each meeting. The agenda lists the topics that will be discussed and voted on.

Residents can review the agenda in advance to see whether an issue they care about is being considered. Supporting documents, staff reports, and proposed ordinances are often posted online before the meeting.

In California, meetings of local government bodies are generally required to be open to the public under the state's open meeting law, commonly known as the Brown Act. Check what the rules are in your state and city.

How can you make your voice heard?

1. Attend meetings: Showing up matters. Elected officials often pay close attention when many community members attend a meeting about a particular issue. You can attend in person or, in many cities, watch online. Bring a friend or two if you are really passionate about an issue.

2. Speak during public comment

Most city councils provide time for public comment. This is an opportunity for residents to speak directly to elected officials. You usually have 2-3 minutes, so make them count.

3. Contact council members

Residents can usually email or call council members outside of meetings. 

4. Join commissions, boards, or advisory groups

Many cities have commissions that advise the council on topics such as planning, transportation, parks, libraries, public safety, or sustainability. Serving on one of these bodies is another way to shape local decisions.

5. Vote in local elections

Local elections often have much lower turnout than national elections. That means your vote can have a significant impact. Learning about local candidates and voting regularly is one of the most powerful ways to influence how your city is governed.

Action item: Find out when the city council meeting in your city is usually held and attend one. Details of the agenda should be found on the city’s website. Is one of the issues of interest to you? What would you say if you had to do a public comment? Share in the comments if you have an interesting story about your involvement with your city council.