City Council meetings are not an action-packed movie and few people may watch their live broadcast on cable television, said Ward I Councilman Bob Luttrull.

Even fewer attend the City Council meetings and Public Works and Finance Committee meetings.

That’s as it should be, said Mayor John Tyler Hammons.

Citizens turn out for meetings when there is an issue they care about, such as the establishment of the Capitol Hill Historic Preservation District or reducing the free parking time on South Main from eight hours to two hours, he said.

“I think the citizenry gets involved in an issue they care about,” Hammons said. “They don’t really care that every two weeks we have to pay the bills.

“That’s how the system should work — when you care, you come out. If it’s an issue you have less feelings on, you let your elected representatives take care of that for you.”

While decisions are made by the council, it is still important for citizens to have input, Buckley said.

“Any form of government relies on the input and interests of the community,” he said. “I think citizens need to take an active role. That can be as simple as coming to the council meetings and picking up an agenda and having an interest.”

When the community speaks out and tells the council what they want — more youth programs, better streets, Internet access or gold lamp posts — that’s how the city sets its priorities. That may mean taking money from programs the public isn’t as interested in and shifting to areas of more interest, Buckley said.

Muskogee’s government is run by a city manager who takes care of day-to-day operations and a nine-member City Council that sets policy and direction, said Greg Buckley, city manager.

The nine councilors are elected with two from each of four wards and the ninth — the mayor — elected at large. While the councilors must reside in a particular ward to run, they are voted on citywide, just like the mayor.

The mayor is the ceremonial head of the city, with the authority to issue proclamations and represent the city at functions. He also presides at council meetings and has a vote.

All this is set up by a city charter, making Muskogee a “home rule” city, rather than operating under state laws, said Roy Tucker, interim city attorney.

“We can issue ordinance or resolutions that are not pre-empted by state law,” Tucker said.