The council consists of nine members, six of whom are elected from each of the six councilmanic districts and three of whom are elected form the city at large. The terms of councilors are two years from the first Monday of January following the year in which they were elected.

The City Council exercises the legislative powers of city government, including adopting the annual City budget, ordinances, and resolutions; setting appropriate tax levies; and setting the Council agendas. Other responsibilities for the City Council is acting as the Board of License Commissioners.