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Ordinances

An Ordinance is the City Council exercising its legislative authority (making a law).

Posting policy for City ordinances:

  • New ordinances are usually added to the website within three weeks of adoption.
  • For ordinances prior to January 1, 2010, please submit a public records request.
About this page:

About City Council

The City Council is the legislative branch of our local government. It is composed of a mayor and six councilors with two councilors elected from each ward. The councilors serve for a term of four years, and the mayor serves for a term of two years. The Council adopts laws called ordinances, passes resolutions, sets policies, adopts the budget, levies taxes, and conducts public meetings.

The current Albany City Charter became effective on January 1, 1957. By Charter, the City of Albany adopted a council-manager form of government. The Charter provides that the City Manager is the administrative head of the City, and the manager serves at the pleasure of the Council.

List of Albany Mayors, 1865-present

Council Member Manual

The manual includes protocols that were developed at an Albany City Council training session held on January 19, 2018, and endorsed by council on February 26, 2018. They are intended to set expectations for members of the Albany City Council and provide a model to guide the conduct and working relationships of Council Members.

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