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City Council
Meetings
- 5:30 p.m.
- 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month
- City Hall Auditorium
250 N 5th Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Workshops
- 5:30 p.m.
- Monday prior to 1st and 3rd Wednesday
- City Hall Auditorium
250 N 5th Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes
Contacting City Council
The Grand Junction City Council is comprised of seven community members - five of whom are elected from and represent certain City districts - and two that are elected at-large.
You can send a group email to City Council, or you can leave them a recorded voice message at 970-244-1504. To better serve you, City Council encourages you to leave contact information if you do leave a voicemail message.
Overview
Grand Junction was founded in 1882. In 1921 the citizens of Grand Junction voted to employ the Council-Manager form of government, which became popular in the early part of the 20th century. This system combines the political leadership of elected officials with the managerial expertise of an appointed local government manager. The members of the City Council are elected by the citizens of Grand Junction to make policy decisions and laws, similar to a board of directors in a private company.
City Charter
The City's guiding document is the City Charter. The City Charter sets out the structure of the City government, including the powers and duties of the City Council and the City Manager, along with general guidelines for the operations of the City and the salaries of City Council (Section 38). The Charter, which can only be amended by the people in a municipal election, was first adopted on September 14, 1909. On November 8, 1921, the Charter was amended to adopt the Council-Manager form of government.
Form of Government
The goal of a Council-Manager form of government is to separate the administrative functions of the city government from the political process. The administrative aspects of the organization are run by professional staff members trained in government administration.
The Grand Junction City Council is comprised of seven community members - five of whom are elected from and represent certain City districts - and two that are elected at-large. Elections are held every other April in odd-numbered years, and the Mayor is selected from among the City Councilmembers each May.
- When are City Council meetings?
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City Council holds their regular meetings on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium, 250 N 5th Street. These meetings are open to the public. Meeting agendas are posted the Friday afternoon prior to the Wednesday meeting on the City’s Agendas & Minutes webpage.
- What are City Council workshops, and can I attend them?
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City Council workshops are public meetings where Council discusses, analyzes, studies and clarifies information and issues for upcoming Council meetings. Council and staff may request specific items for an agenda and items range from specific projects to upcoming legislation to Citywide department updates. Workshops are held the Monday prior to regular meetings at 5:30 p.m. in the Fire Administration Training Room (625 Ute Avenue). Public comment is typically not taken during workshops.
- How do I know what is on the City Council agenda?
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City Council meeting agendas and packets are posted the Friday afternoon prior to the next week’s meeting(s) on the City’s Agendas & Minutes webpage. Agenda Packets include a staff report and supporting documents for each agenda item. Hard copies of a meeting’s agenda and packet are available at the meeting. Agendas and packets from the last several years are also available online the City’s Agendas & Minutes webpage.
- What is the difference between a resolution and an ordinance?
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A resolution is a written motion or policy adopted by a deliberative body.
An ordinance is legislation which necessitates changes in our current laws, policies, or procedures as a city, which is codified in the Grand Junction Municipal Code.
- What is the difference between a “first reading” ordinance and a “second reading” ordinance?
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All ordinances require two readings by City Council. The first reading introduces the ordinance (typically placed on the Consent Agenda) and includes the meeting date of the upcoming Public Hearing but is generally not discussed by City Council. The second reading of the ordinance is a Public Hearing (on the Regular Agenda) when public comment can be taken for that item and allows time for discussion by City Council.
Resolutions require only one reading and are typically voted on at the regular City Council meeting that they are scheduled to appear on.
- Can I speak at a Council meeting even if my issue is not on the agenda?
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Yes, at every City Council meeting there is tine allocated for Public Comments as well as a “Non-Scheduled Citizens & Visitors” period on the agenda. Public Comment occurs before a Council vote is taken and the nonscheduled comments occurs at the beginning and end of the meeting. During these periods, anyone may speak before the Council on issues that are not on that meeting’s agenda. In addition, community members may also speak at a future meeting when that item does appear. If a Public Hearing is scheduled, public comments are taken during the meeting specifically for that item.
- How do I know who my City Council representative is?
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The Grand Junction City Council is comprised of seven community members - five of whom are elected from and represent specific City districts - and two are elected at-large.
You can check on the City’s website to see which City Council District you live in.
- How do I let my Council representative know my opinion on an issue if I cannot speak at the meeting when that issue will be voted on?
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You may call, email, or write to individual Council Members or the Council as a whole.
- Phone: 970-244-1504 (message only)
- Mail: 250 N 5th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501
- Email: Each Council Member's email address as well as additional information can be found on their respective City webpage which can be found on the City Council webpage.
Community members are also encouraged to go to GJSpeaks.org to comment on projects listed there.
- Can I watch past Council meetings?
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Yes, Council meetings are live streamed and available on the City’s Agendas & Minutes webpage along with other public City meetings. City Council meetings are also broadcast live on channel 191.
- How do I best contact or schedule a meeting with a Council Member?
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You may call the Council office at 970-244-1504 or email the Council Member with whom you wish to speak.
- When does the Council hold hearings and vote on the City budget?
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City staff develops the annual budget throughout the year and a recommended budget is presented by the City Manager to City Council beginning with Council workshops in October. The first public hearing typically takes place in November and the second public hearing in December, followed by City Council’s adoption of the City’s budget. For more information, visit the Annual Budget & Budget Development webpage.
- Where can I see the City Charter and Municipal Code?
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You can look through the City Charter and Municipal Code online.