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City Legislature
City Council
About the Council
Springfield’s City Council is a 13-member legislative body consisting of five members elected at-large by all city voters and one member elected from each of the city’s eight wards. Members serve two-year terms. The Council elects its own President and Vice President each January. If a mayoral vacancy occurs, the Council President becomes acting mayor until a new mayor is elected.
- Legislative authority: Passes city ordinances, financial orders, and resolutions.
- Budget oversight: Reviews and votes on the annual budget submitted by the Mayor.
- Land use: Regulates zoning ordinances and grants special permits.
- Veto override: May override a mayoral veto with a supermajority vote.
- Council office: 36 Court Street, Room 200, (413) 787-6170
Council Members
Tracye Whitfield (Councilor at Large) serves as Council President; Melvin A. Edwards (Ward 3) serves as Vice President. All 13 members were elected November 4, 2025 to 2-year terms (2026–2027).
At-Large · Council President
Tracye Whitfield
Phone: 413-787-6170
Email: twhitfield@springfieldcityhall.com
At-Large
Justin J. Hurst
Phone: 413-787-6170
Email: jhurst@springfieldcityhall.com
At-Large
Jose M. Delgado
Phone: 413-787-6170
Email: jdelgado@springfieldcityhall.com
At-Large
Kateri B. Walsh
Phone: 413-787-6170
Email: kwalsh@springfieldcityhall.com
At-Large
Brian Santaniello
Phone: 413-787-6170
Email: bsantaniello@springfieldcityhall.com
Ward 1
Maria E. Perez
Phone: 413-219-1038
Email: mariaperezcitycouncil@gmail.com
Ward 2
Michael A. Fenton
Phone: 413-787-6170
Email: mfenton@springfieldcityhall.com
Ward 3 · Vice President
Melvin A. Edwards
Phone: 413-348-8036
Email: melvinspeaks@msn.com
Ward 4
Malo L. Brown
Phone: 413-316-4743
Email: malomiajane@yahoo.com
Ward 5
Lavar W. Click-Bruce
Phone: 413-787-6170
Email: lclick-bruce@springfieldcityhall.com
Ward 6
Victor G. Davila
Phone: 413-297-8614
Email: vdavila@springfieldcityhall.com
Ward 7
Gerry J. Martin
Phone: 413-342-6537
Email: gmartin@springfieldcityhall.com
Ward 8
Zaida Govan
Phone: 413-301-2533
Email: zaida.govan@yahoo.com
Meetings & How to Participate
- When: Regular meetings on Monday evenings in the City Council Chamber, City Hall, 36 Court Street. The Council operates on a hybrid basis; virtual participation is available.
- Public speak-out: Held at 6:30 PM before regular meetings. Sign up by calling the Council office at (413) 787-6170 by noon on the Friday before the Monday meeting.
- Sub-committee meetings: Fully virtual; contact the Committee Chair through the Council office to sign up.
- Watch live: Meetings stream on Focus Springfield (focusspringfield.com) and the Springfield Municipal Meetings YouTube page.
- Write to the Council: City Council, 36 Court Street Room 200, Springfield, MA 01103.
The School Committee sets educational policy for Springfield’s 23,670 students and oversees the Superintendent.