about City Council
TRUSTED EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP
Mayor Qourzal has served on the Woodway City Council since 2019. The council operates under a nonpartisan Council/Manager form of government. It is composed of Mayor Qourzal and six Councilmembers, all serving three-year terms. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are elected annually by the Council members. Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Woodway City Hall.
The City Council is an all-volunteer body responsible for setting policies, passing ordinances, and overseeing the city's budget. They work closely with the city manager, who handles the city's day-to-day operations. The council operates under the city's Home Rule Charter, first adopted in 1973. You can view the charter here.
The Woodway City Council functions as a representative governance body, meaning it strives to represent the interests and will of the citizens of Woodway. The Woodway City Council members do not run as Republicans or Democrats, and the council should not be viewed as affiliated with any political party.
Citizens can watch or attend Woodway City Council meetings in the following ways:
In Person: Attend the meetings held at City Hall, located at 922 Estates Drive, Woodway, TX 76712.
Online: Watch live streams or recorded sessions of the meetings on the city's official YouTube channel
FAQs
What is the role of the Mayor?
The Mayor is the presiding officer of the council meetings and is elected by the council. He/She has 1 one vote on the 7 member council and works in conjunction with the rest of the council to approve or deny action items.
Because Woodway operates under the Council-Manager form of government, it is the entire council that is responsible for establishing policy and setting local ordinances, not the Mayor.
Who sets the agendas for the meetings?
The City Manager in conjunction with his/her staff put together the agenda for the meetings. The City Manager of Woodway is similar to that of a CEO, providing management to the board of directors (in this case the city council).
Staff make recommendations to the council based on the evaluations and reviews of our city attorney, city engineer, finance director, public safety chief, and city secretary.
does the mayor run the city?
The Mayor is 1/7th of the governing body that sets policy for Woodway. He/She has an equal say in how the city’s policies, projects, and ordinances are passed.
The council, which is voted into office by public elections, appoints a professional Manager to oversee the administrative operations, day to day-to-day operations, and provide advice to the council.
CAN ANY member of council accept payments/gifts for projects in woodway?
No. That is illegal.
is the public allowed to address city council?
Absolutely! Residents and guests alike are invited to address the Council on any matter at the start of each meeting. Comments must be kept to 3 minutes per Resoultion R-87-11, and the Council is not permitted to take any action or discuss any item not listed on the agenda.
how does the city monitor and safeguard against corruption?
An independent auditor audits the city’s financial statements annually. This audit includes a review of the city's financial activities, internal controls, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It also includes auditing council members.
There have been 0 corruption findings, and the city has passed all audits with flying colors for 40 years. For more detailed information, you can review the latest audit reports available on the City of Woodway's website: Woodway FY24 Single Audit Report and Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Audit.
Are all 7 council members independent voters?
Absolutely.
While the majority of votes on the city council are unanimous, all council members are free to vote as they choose based on their individual convictions, analyses, and philosophy.
The staff provides recommendations, but ultimately each member can decide whether or not to accept that recommendation. All motions must be seconded and passed by a simple majority or in some cases a supermajority.