What kind of city is Federal Way?
The city is structured as a non-charter code city with a mayor-council form of government.

What is a Mayor-council form of government?
In the mayor-council form of government, policy and administration are separated. All legislative and policy making powers are vested in the city council. The administrative authority, including veto power, is vested in the mayor.

Are there any other forms of government?
Yes, there is a council-manager form of government. In this form of government all legislative and policymaking powers are vested in the city council. The council employs a professionally trained public administrator, the city manager, to carry out the policies it develops. The city manager is the head of the administrative branch of city government. By statute, the mayor is selected by the city council from among its members, although this may also be done by election

What is the job of a councilmember?
The principal job of a city council is to set policy. A policy is a course of action for a community Policymaking often takes the form of passing ordinances or resolutions. After policy decisions are made by the legislative body, others perform the administrative task of implementing the policies.

What is the difference between an ordinance and a resolution?
An ordinance is a local law of a municipal corporation, prescribing general rules of conduct. Ordinances are used for a variety of purposes, including administrative actions such as establishing offices and setting salaries, or they may be used for actions that control the conduct of the public. An ordinance is a legislative enactment, within its sphere, as much as an act of the state Legislature
A resolution, on the other hand, is typically an act that is less solemn or formal than an ordinance. Resolutions reflect the council’s expression of policy and sometimes provide direction to the administration and staff. Legislation must be enacted via ordinance.

So, who actually runs the city?
It is important to recognize that it is not the role of the councilmember to administer city affairs. The council sets policy, but it is either the Mayor or the City Manager who actually implements the policies.