CITY OF LANCASTER

 The City of Lancaster, named an All-America City in 2000, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 - a highly unusual designation for so large an area as the four square miles of the original city. With a population of 56,348 according to the 2000 census, Lancaster operates under the mayor-council form of government. Under this plan, the mayor has the responsibility for executive and administrative functions, and the seven-member council is the legislative body. The mayor and council members are all elected for four-year terms. Voters also elect, for four-year terms, a city treasurer and city controller.

     The mayor, as chief executive officer of the city, is responsible for the enforcement of all ordinances; the appointment, with the consent of council, of heads of departments; the preparation and presentation to council of the annual budget; and the preparation and presentation to council of an annual report on the operating performances of all departments and subordinate agencies.

     All ordinances passed by council are submitted to the mayor either for signature, in which case they are put into effect, or veto. The mayor also may elect to allow ordinances to take effect without signature by holding them for 10 days. Should the mayor veto an ordinance, council may, by a two-thirds vote, resolve to override the veto.

     The council, in addition to its legislative function of drafting and passing all ordinances, must approve the mayor’s appointment of department heads, as well as proposed budgets. It also has the power to investigate the conduct of any city department or agency. The council appoints a city clerk, who keeps its minutes and the records of its proceedings. At its first meeting following the Municipal Election, it elects one of its members to serve as president.

     Meetings of the City Council are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:30 pm at Council Chambers in the Southern Market Center, located at the corner of South Queen and West Vine Streets. Council meetings are open to the public.