Understanding Your City Council
Everything you need to know about how local government works and how you can participate in decisions that affect your daily life.
What Does City Council Do?
Your city council is the legislative body of local government. They make decisions that directly impact your neighborhood, from the roads you drive on to the businesses in your community.
West Hollywood City Council
- 5 Council Members elected by residents to 4-year terms
- Mayor rotates annually among council members (ceremonial role)
- Meetings typically occur on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6:00 PM
Types of Decisions Council Makes:
Zoning & Development
Approve new buildings, set height limits, determine what businesses can operate where
City Budget
Decide how tax dollars are spent on parks, roads, police, and city services
Local Laws (Ordinances)
Create rules for rent control, noise, parking, business hours, and more
Contracts & Appointments
Hire contractors, approve vendor agreements, appoint commission members
Understanding Agendas & Meetings
Before every council meeting, the city publishes an “agenda” - a list of everything that will be discussed and voted on. These documents can be hundreds of pages long, which is where Civic Summary helps.
What's in an Agenda Packet?
- Staff Reports - City staff analysis and recommendations
- Resolutions - Formal decisions being proposed
- Contracts - Agreements with vendors and contractors
- Public Correspondence - Letters from residents
- Supporting Documents - Maps, budgets, legal analyses
Meeting Types
- Regular Meetings - Standard bi-weekly sessions with voting
- Special Meetings - Called for urgent or specific matters
- Study Sessions - Deep dives on topics (no voting)
- Closed Sessions - Private discussions (legal, personnel)
The 72-Hour Rule
By law, agendas must be posted at least 72 hours before a meeting. This is your window to review what's coming up and prepare any comments. Civic Summary alerts you when new agendas are posted so you don't miss this window.
What You'll See in Each Agenda Item
Our AI analyzes every agenda item and breaks down exactly how it might affect you based on who you are. Here's what you'll find:
Personalized Impact Analysis
Each agenda item shows tailored analysis for different types of residents:
Renter Impact
How decisions affect rent prices, tenant protections, lease terms, and rental housing availability.
Homeowner Impact
Effects on property values, neighborhood character, HOA regulations, and home improvement rules.
Business Owner Impact
Impact on permits, operating hours, signage rules, commercial zoning, and business regulations.
Transit & Traffic Impact
Changes to parking, public transit routes, bike lanes, street closures, and commute patterns.
Financial & Economic Analysis
Fiscal Impact
Total cost, budget source, and what it means for city finances
Economic Benefits
Job creation, business growth, and economic development potential
Property Tax Impact
How decisions may affect your property tax bill
Plus These Insights
Neighborhood Impact
Which areas and communities are most affected
Implementation Timeline
When changes take effect and key dates
Urgency Level
How time-sensitive is this decision
Action Needed
What you can do if you want to get involved
See it in action
Browse real agenda items with full AI analysis
How to Make Your Voice Heard
City council members are elected to represent you. Here's how to participate in decisions that affect your community.
1Email City Council Directly
Send written comments directly to the City Council at publiccomments@weho.org. Your comments become part of the official record and are distributed to all council members before the meeting.
Tips for Effective Comments:
- Be specific - Reference the agenda item number
- State your position clearly - Support, oppose, or request changes
- Explain your reasoning - Personal impact, community benefit, concerns
- Include your address - Shows you're a local resident
- Keep it concise - 2-3 paragraphs is ideal
2Speak at Public Comment
Every council meeting includes time for public comment where residents can speak directly to council members.
How Public Comment Works:
- 1Arrive 15 minutes early and sign up with the City Clerk
- 2Wait for the “Public Comment” portion of the meeting
- 3When called, approach the podium and state your name
- 4You have 3 minutes to share your thoughts
- 5Council may ask clarifying questions (you can respond briefly)
3Comment on Civic Summary
You can participate right here on Civic Summary:
Before 10:00 AM Pacific on meeting day
Submit a comment through Civic Summary and we'll forward it to the City Council. Your comment becomes part of the official record, just like emailing them directly.
Anytime
Add comments to any agenda item on Civic Summary. Your comments will be visible to other users and help shape the community conversation around city priorities.
4Rate City Priorities (WeHo 40)
West Hollywood's “WeHo 40” strategic plan outlines 40 priorities through 2040. Through Civic Summary, you can rate how well you think the city is handling each priority.
Learn more about WeHo 40 Strategic PlanHow Civic Summary Helps
We use AI to transform complex government documents into clear, actionable information so you can stay informed in minutes, not hours.
AI-Powered Summaries
Every agenda item gets a plain-English summary explaining what it is, who it affects, and why it matters.
Easy Commenting
Submit comments on specific agenda items or general feedback directly through our platform.
Ask ARIA
Our AI assistant can answer questions about agendas, explain complex topics, and help you understand city business.
Bookmarks & Tracking
Save items you care about and track their progress through the council process.
Meeting Minutes
Review what happened at past meetings, including votes, discussion summaries, and outcomes.
Staff Directions
See what tasks the council has assigned to staff and their completion status.
Ready to Get Started?
Explore upcoming council agendas and see how local decisions affect your community.