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Council Handbook THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK The Council of the District of Columbia councilofdc DC Council The stage was originally set in the Constitution of 1789 when an area of 10 Square Miles was set aside as the Federal Capital of the United States on the banks of the Potomac River. The Residence Act of July 16, 1790, established a site along the Potomac River. This federal area was first called Territory of Columbia and the federal city was called the City of Washington. Land was donated from the State of Maryland and the The City of Commonwealth of Virginia. The 10 Square miles included all of present day District of Washington, D.C. Columbia which was donated from the State of Maryland and Arlington County, VA and a portion of the City of Alexandria, VA. In 1846, the Virginia territory was ceded back to the Common- wealth of Virginia. The recorded history of the District of Columbia dates back to 1802 when President Thomas Jefferson signed an act of Congress that established the Corporation of the City of Washington and the First Council. COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 02 In 1871, Congress amended the District’s Charter by uniting Washington City, Georgetown, and the County of Washington under a Territorial Government. In 1874, Congress amended the Charter to abolish the Terri- torial Government. In 1878, Congress passed the Organic Act that established a 3-Member Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia to govern the District which lasted nearly 100 years. The City of In 1961, District residents were allowed to vote in presidential Washington, D.C. elections as a result of the 23rd Amendment. In 1967, the President established the Mayor-Commissioner form of government with a mayor and a council, all appointed by the President of the United States. In 1970, the District gained an elected, non-voting Congressman to the House of Representatives. (There is no representation in the U.S. Senate.) In 1973, the Home Rule Act passed in Congress, and District residents approved it in a special referendum the next year. COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 03 THE DISTRICT FLAG The District Flag was adopted from the family coat of arms of George Washington by act of Congress, October 15, 1938 The Family Coat of Arms of George Washington The District Flag COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 04 District of Columbia General Facts Motto: “Justitia Omnibus” (Justice for all) FLOWER FRUIT ROCK TREE BIRD MAMMAL The American Cherry The Potomac Scarlet Oak Wood Big Brown Beauty Rose Bluestone Thrush Bat COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 05 COMMUNITY PROFILE Race Source: 2010 Census African American 50.7% White 38.4% Asian 3.5% Other 4.1% Two or More Races 2.9% American Indian and Alaska Native 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.1% COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 06 COMMUNITY PROFILE Source: 2010 Census Median household Percentage of income population 18 2008 – 2012: and over: $64,267 83.2% Male: 284,222 Median age: (47.2%) 33.8 Female: 317,501 (52.8%) Population 65 2010 Census and over: population: 11.4% 601,723 COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 07 Home Rule The Home Rule Act is the result of the ongoing push by and Vice-President of the United States with the ratification District residents for control of their own local affairs. The of the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution. Four years later, existing local government is the most expanded form of citizens won the authority to elect a School Board. self-government since the establishment of the District as the seat of the federal government. In 1970, the District gained a nonvoting delegate to the House of Representatives. While the fight for local autonomy In 1790 when the District was established on land ceded by proceeded step by step, Congress, particularly the House Maryland and Virginia to the federal government only about Committee on the District of Columbia, continued to exercise 3,000 citizens lived in the area--far less than the 50,000 great authority over the local affairs of the District. required to be a state. The people living in the federal district continued to vote in Maryland and Virginia respectively. Finally, in 1973, the Home Rule Act passed in Congress, and District residents approved it in a special referendum the The Senate passed bills providing some form of home rule next year. In a historic leap for greater self-determination, six times between 1948 and 1966, but, each time a similar bill District citizens elected a Mayor and Council in the fall of died in the House District of Columbia Committee. The com- 1974. missioner form of government was replaced in 1967 by a mayor-commissioner and a nine-member city council Voters also approved the election of Advisory Neighborhood appointed by the President. Commissioners who represent every 2,000 residents to advise the Council on neighborhood concerns. In 1963, District residents won the right to vote for President COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 08 Council-Mayor Form of Government Under the Charter, the Council-Mayor form of government requires that Council oversee the legislative branch and is the lawmaker for the city as a whole. The Mayor oversees the executive branch and serves as the chief executive and head of the city government. COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 09 The Council of the DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA The official name of the institution is the Council of the District of The John A. Wilson Building is under the control of Columbia. the Council pursuant to statute. The Council simultaneously serves as the state legislature, the county council, and city council of the Dis- trict of Columbia. We are a thriving and unique entity in the United States. The Great Seal of the District of Columbia COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 10 Mission As the central and chief policy-making body for the District of Columbia, the Council’s mission is to provide strong, innovative and effective leadership for the benefit of residents across the city. COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 11 The Council’s Role Duties of the Council Enacts laws and sets policies for the District of Columbia. by the Executive. Provides oversight of the performance of agencies, Considers, reviews and confirms Executive appoint- boards, and commissions. ments through its “advice and consent,” or confirmation function, including Mayoral appointments to some Reviews and approves the Mayor’s fiscal year budget boards and commissions. proposal. To assist in its oversight, the Council appoints the D.C. Holds public hearings or roundtables on legislative Auditor who conducts statutorily required audits of proposals and conducts public hearings on various government accounts and operations, and other audits matters related to the matters affecting the District. as directed by the Council. Reviews, and can disapprove, contracts in excess of $1 million. Reviews, and can disapprove, any proposal by the Mayor to move funds during a fiscal year through reprogramming actions. Reviews and considers any reorganization plans, includ- ing the establishment of new departments or the abol- ishment of old departments, of the District government Council meeting in session COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 12 The Council’s Role Legislative Meetings The Council meets in legislative session on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. The Council meets in the Council Chamber at the historic John A. Wilson Building, located at 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. Meetings are public; agendas are available to visitors and may be accessed via the website forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. Meetings are broadcast live on the District Council Channel (Comcast - Channel 13) and vary in length depending on the agenda. Council Chambers located in the John A. Wilson Building COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 13 The Council’s Structure Organizational Structure Legislative Path The Council is the legislature of the government of Once a Councilmember introduces a bill, it is the District of Columbia, responsible for crafting laws assigned to one of the Council’s committees to for the nation’s capital. consider. Committees solicit comment through a public hearing and other means, giving the public an The Council is composed of 13 Members – a repre- opportunity to voice opinions on the bill. sentative elected from each of the eight wards and five members, including the Chairman, elected If the committee recommends the Council adopt the at-large; all serving four year terms. The terms of the bill into law, the bill is reviewed by the Committee of at-large members are staggered so that two are the Whole. elected every two years, and each D.C. resident may vote for two different at-large candidates in each Thereafter, the Council considers the legislation in general election. two separate Council meetings, which must be sepa- rated by at least 13 days. Once a majority of the Work is conducted through a system of standing Council votes in favor of the bill, it becomes law, committees and special committees established as pending review by the Mayor and U.S. Congress. needed. COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HANDBOOK 14 The Council’s Structure Membership Qualifications Vacancies According to the Home Rule Act, of the Chair and the If the position of Chairman becomes vacant, an at-large members, a maximum of three may be at-large member of the Council is elected by a major- affiliated with the majority political party.
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