The **New Orleans City Council** is the legislative branch of New Orleans city government, established in its current form in 1954 with the adoption of the Home Rule Charter[1][7]. It operates under a Mayor-Council system, consisting of seven members: five elected from geographically defined districts and two elected at-large by the entire city population[1][2]. Council members serve four-year terms with term limits introduced in 1991, restricting service to two consecutive terms in the same position[1]. The Council holds broad legislative authority, responsible for enacting local laws, approving the city’s operating and capital budgets, and monitoring government revenues and expenditures[5]. It also regulates public utilities, oversees land use and zoning issues, and reviews major economic development projects, making it central to shaping the city’s growth and infrastructure[5]. Additionally, the Council acts as the Board of Review for Orleans Parish, handling property tax appeals and certifying tax rolls[5]. Historically, the City Council evolved from earlier forms of governance, including the commission government formed in 1912 and the ethnically divided municipal councils of the 19th century[4][7]. The 1954 Home Rule Charter created the modern legislative framework, emphasizing representative democracy and accountability[1][7]. The Council’s work is publicly accessible, with meeting videos available online since 2013, enhancing transparency[1]. In recent years, the Council has focused on diverse issues such as crime prevention, public safety, economic development, youth and education programs, cultural preservation, and infrastructure improvements, reflecting the city’s complex social and economic landscape[5]. This legislative body plays a vital role in balancing New Orleans’s historic legacy with forward-looking urban planning and technological modernization initiatives, supporting the city’s resilience and innovation in governance. Overall, the New Orleans City Council is a pivotal institution guiding legislative decisions, urban development, and public policy in a culturally rich and evolving metropolis[1][2][5].