The City Council is responsible for establishing policy direction for City staff to follow so that those services that are deemed essential by the electorate and taxpaying residents and businesses of the community are provided in a cost-effective and professional manner. The City Council is mandated to provide an environment that stimulates participation in the governing processes and to conduct the affairs of the City openly and responsively. The Mayor is elected to a two-year term and City Council members are elected to four-year terms on an overlapping basis. Thus two Council seats and the Mayor's seat are up for re-election every two years. The Mayor and City Council also serve as the governing body of the Community Redevelopment Agency, Parking Authority, Housing Authority and Financing Authority. They also serve as members of the Hawthorne Cable Usage Corporation.
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