Municipal Chamber of Porto Alegre

The Porto Alegre City Council is the Legislative branch of Porto Alegre. It is composed of 36 councilors who are elected by an open list election. The Council serves as a balance of power against the mayor, as Porto Alegre has a strong mayor-council type of government. Porto Alegre City Council oversees all Executive agencies, departments, and audits municipal public accounts. It has sole authority to decide if Mayor or Deputy Mayor may leave Porto Alegre for a period longer than five days. The Council also approves the Budget Bill. There is no term limit.

Municipal Chamber of Porto Alegre

Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre
16th legislature
Coat of arms of the city of Porto Alegre
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
FoundedSeptember 6, 1773 (1773-09-06)
New session started
February 1, 2015 (2015-02-01)
Leadership
President
Mauro Pinheiro, PT
since January 5, 2015
Government Leader
Kevin Krieger, PP
Opposition Leader
Jussara Cony, PCdoB
Structure
Seats36
Political groups
Government (24)
  •   PDT (5)
  •   PMDB (4)
  •   PP (4)
  •   PTB (4)
  •   DEM (2)
  •   PRB (2)
  •   PSB (2)
  •   PSD (1)

Non-aligned and opposition (12)

Length of term
Four years
Elections
Open list proportional representation
Last election
October 7, 2012
Next election
October 2, 2016
Meeting place
Aloísio Filho Palace, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Website
http://www.camarapoa.rs.gov.br/

Current Speaker of the Council is Humberto Goulart (PDT). There also are following offices: First Deputy Speaker, Luiz Braz (PSDB); Second Deputy Speaker, Margarete Moraes (PT); First Secretary of the Council, Haroldo de Souza (PMDB); Second Secretary, Elias Nunes Vidal (PPS); and Third Secretary, Valdir Caetano da Silva (PL). Current Majority Leader is Clênia Maranhão, PPS.

There are six committees overseeing several subjects of the city. Committee membership is defined by party breakdown. Members of committees are assigned by party leaders. Committees generally meet in the morning, as afternoons are reserved to floor sessions.

History

The very first City Council meeting was on September 6, 1773, when members of the Viamão Council met in the Vila de Nossa Senhora da Madre de Deus de Porto Alegre, former name of Porto Alegre, ordered by then-governor José Marcelino de Figueiredo. Members of the first Porto Alegre City Council were Domingos Moreira (Speaker), Manoel Velloso Tavares, Domingos Gomes Ribeiro, José Alves Velludo, and Ventura Pereira Maciel. In the early years, the City Council had both judicial and legislative powers.

In 1828, there had been a major change the way City Council was set up. Porto Alegre had 10,000 inhabitants, and 400 voters, who elected the new nine-member City Council. Under the rule of the Empire of Brazil, there was no mayor-like office, and activities of City Council were scrutinized by the Provincial Assembly. At that time, City Council had attributions that today are mayor's ones, like public works, police services, and tax collection. In 1864, it had begun the building of the first Council Hall in an open lot between Rua da Ponte (currently Riachuelo Street) and Pedro II Square (currently Marshall Deodoro Square). This building was destroyed by fire on November 19, 1949 and the lot is now the seat of Rio Grande do Sul Court of Justice. 1873 was the year of the centennial and the members of Council were João Carlos Augusto Bordini, Joaquim Francisco Dutra Júnior, João Rodrigues Fagundes, Antônio Manuel Fernandes, Luís da Silva Flores Filho, João Pinto da Fonseca Guimarães, José Martins de Lima, Manuel Soares Lisboa and, Firmínio Martins de Oliveira Prates.

By the deposition of monarchy, there were 8 councilmen: João Antunes da Cunha Neto (speaker), Felicíssimo Manoel de Azevedo, Bibiano Dias de Castro, João da Mata Coelho, José Domingos da Costa, Antônio da Azevedo Lima, Guilherme Shell and, Rafael Gonçalves Ventura. After enactment of the Brazilian Constitution of 1891, City Council was responsible of auditing municipal public accounts, analyzing budget bills and, tax-related matters. At this time, there had been no opposition within City Council, as the PRP dominated state's political scene. The first oppositionist ever elected was a member of defunct Federalist Party in 1916. When Getúlio Vargas took over the rule in 1930, all city councils in Brazil were closed. Only in 1934, the city councils were re-opened. During this time, City Council was made up of 11 councilmen with annual sessions no longer than two months. This structure lasted until 1937, when that City Council was replaced by a Technical Administration Council.

In 1947, a new State Constitution was signed into law and City Council was authorized to have 21 members; these members now started out receiving monthly income paid up by city treasury, this led to increase of middle class representation. Between 1947 and 1949, Council sessions are hosted in today's City Hall. In 1949, City Council moved into José Mountary Building. When the military staged a coup in 1964, multi-party system was abolished, being replaced by a two-party system.

In 1988, a new Brazilian Constitution was enacted, granting powers to cities but, creating a rigid form of government for cities; in this constitution cities are federative units, unlike former constitutions that granted states full rights to legislate over municipal forms of government.

Membership to City Council

As of October 7, 2006,[1] these are the members of Porto Alegre City Council. Councilmen are sorted out by party, then by last name.

CouncilpersonPartyCommittee membershipOfficial website
Manuela Pinto Vieira d'ÁvilaPCdoBEducation, Culture and Youth Affairs
Raul Kroeff Machado CarrionPCdoBConsumer and Human Rights
Nereu D'ÁvilaPDTConstitution and Justice
Ervino BessonPDTConsumer and Human Rights
Neusa Celine Canabarro ElizeirePDTHealth and Environment
Mário Pinto de FragaPDTConstitution and Justice
Humberto Ciulla GoulartPDTSpeaker of the Council
João Bosco Granado VazPDTUrbanization, Transportation, and Housing
José Ismael HeinenDEMUrbanization, Transportation, and Housing
Maristela MeneghettiDEMEconomy, Treasure, Budget, and Mercosur
Valdir Caetano da SilvaPLConstitution and Justice
Sebastião de Araújo MeloPMDBEducation, Culture, and Youth Affairs
Ibsen Valls PinheiroPMDBConstitution and Justice
Haroldo Joaquim de SouzaPMDBEducation, Culture, and Youth Affairs
Bernardino VendrusculoPMDBUrbanization, Transportation, and Housing
João Antônio DibPPEconomy, Treasure, Budget, and Mercosur
Mônica Leal MarkusonsPPHealth and Environment
João Carlos Cavalheiro NedelPPHealth and Environment
Carlos Alberto Oliveira GarciaPPSEconomy, Treasure, Budget, and Mercosur
Clênia Leal MaranhãoPPSUrbanization, Transportation, and Housing
Paulo Odone RibeiroPPSConstitution and Justice
Elias Nunes VidalPPSHealth and Environment
Maristela MaffeiPSBEducation, Culture, and Youth Affairs
Antônio Luiz BrazPSDBEconomy, Treasure, Budget, and Mercosur
Cláudio José de Souza SebeneloPSDBHealth and Environment
Almerindo da RosaPSLConstitution and Justice
Carlos Roberto ComassettoPTConstitution and Justice
Margarete Costa MoraesPTConsumer and Human Rights
Sofia Cavedon NunesPTEducation, Culture, and Youth Affairs
Aldacir José OliboniPTHealth and Environment
Maria Celeste de Souza da SilvaPTConsumer and Human Rights
Adeli SellPTEconomy, Treasure, Budget, and Mercosur
Carlos Atílio TodeschiniPTConsumer and Human Rights
Jorge Antônio Dornelles CarpesPTBCommittee on Consumer and Human Rights
Elói Francisco Pedroso GuimarãesPTBUrbanization, Transportation, and Housing
Alceu de Oliveira da RosaPTBUrbanization, Transportation, and Housing

Committees of City Council

There are six committees with jurisdiction all over municipal affairs. Committee's works are regulated by the Porto Alegre City Charter (Chapter V, Section III) and the Porto Alegre City Council Rules of Procedure (Title II, Chapter II).

Committee on Constitution and Justice

Committee on Constitution and Justice (CCJ) oversees legal status before the City Charter of every bill in the Council. This committee drafts final versions of every bill in the Council before being voted in the floor. CCJ has an appellate jurisdiction on decisions of the Speaker and its deputies. Ibsen Valls Pinheiro (PMDB) is the Committee Chairman and Paulo Odone Ribeiro (PPS) is the Deputy Committee Chairman. Membership[2] to CCJ:

CouncilpersonParty
Nereu D'ÁvilaPDT
Carlos Roberto ComassettoPT
Mário Pinto de FragaPDT
Almerindo da RosaPSL
Valdir Caetano da SilvaPL

Committee on Economy, Treasure, Budget, and Mercosur

Committee on Economy, Treasure, Budget, and Mercosur (CEFOR) oversees tax, economy and, budget affairs. CEFOR has sole authority to oversee public spendings as defined by budget bill. CEFOR drafts final versions of Budget, appropriation bills. Maristela Meneghetti (DEM) is the Committee Chairwoman and Adeli Sell (PT) is the Deputy Committee Chairman. Membership[3] to CEFOR:

CouncilpersonParty
Antônio Luiz BrazPSDB
Carlos Alberto Oliveira GarciaPSB
João Antônio DibPP

Committee on Urbanization, Transportation, and Housing

Committee on Urbanization, Transportation, and Housing (CUTHAB) has jurisdiction on street, places naming, public works, municipal assets allocation, public transportation and, related affairs. Elói Francisco Pedroso Guimarães (PTB) is the Committee Chairman and Clênia Leal Maranhão (PPS) is the Deputy Committee Chairwoman. Membership[4] to CUTHAB:

CouncilpersonParty
José Ismael HeinenDEM
Alceu de Oliveira da RosaPTB
João Bosco Granado VazPDT
Bernardino VendrusculoPMDB

Committee on Education, Culture, and Youth Affairs

Committee on Education, Culture, and Youth Affairs (CECE) has jurisdiction on educational affairs, sport facilities and, youth-related initiatives. Manuela Pinto Vieira d'Ávila (PCdoB) is the Committee Chairwoman and Maristela Maffei (PSB) is the Deputy Committee Chairwoman. Membership[5] to CECE:

CouncilpersonParty
Sebastião de Araújo MeloPMDB
Sofia Cavedon NunesPT
Haroldo Joaquim de SouzaPMDB

Committee on Consumer and Human Rights

Committee on Consumer and Human Rights (CEDECONDH) oversees consumer relations, human rights violation and, public safety. Carlos Atílio Todeschini (PT) is the Council Chairman and Jorge Antônio Dornelles Carpes (PTB) is the Deputy Committee Chairman. Membership[6] to CEDECONDH:

CouncilpersonParty
Ervino BessonPDT
Raul Kroeff Machado CarrionPCdoB
Margarete Costa MoraesPT
Maria Celeste de Souza da SilvaPT

Committee on Health and Environment

Committee on Health and Environment (COSMAN) has jurisdiction on public-funded healthcare, sanitary inspection, sewage services and, environmental protection. João Carlos Cavalheiro Nedel (PP) is the Committee Chairman and Cláudio José de Souza Sebenelo is the Deputy Committee Chairman. Membership[7] to COSMAN:

CouncilpersonParty
Neusa Celine Canabarro ElizeirePDT
Mônica Leal MarkusonsPP
Aldacir José OliboniPT
Elias Nunes VidalPPS

See also

References

  1. "A Câmara conta sua história." Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre. 7 Oct. 2006 <http://www2.camarapoa.rs.gov.br/default.php?p_secao=118>.

Notes

  1. "Vereadores (p/ ordem alfabética)." Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre. 7 Oct. 2006 <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2006-10-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)>.
  2. "COMISSÃO DE CONSTITUIÇÃO E JUSTIÇa - CCJ." 26 May 2006. Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre. 7 Oct. 2006 <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2006-10-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)>.
  3. "COMISSÃO DE ECONOMIA, FINANÇAS, ORÇAMENTO E DO MERCOSUL- CEFOR." 26 May 2006. Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre. 7 Oct. 2006 <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2006-10-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)>.
  4. "COMISSÃO DE URBANIZAÇÃO, TRANSPORTES E HABITAÇÃO - CUTHAB." 26 May 2006. Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre. 7 Oct. 2006 <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2006-10-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)>.
  5. "COMISSÃO DE EDUCAÇÃO, CULTURA, ESPORTE E JUVENTUDE - CECE." 13 July 2006. Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre. 7 Oct. 2006 <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2006-10-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)>.
  6. "COMISSÃO DE DEFESA DO CONSUMIDOR E DIREITOS HUMANOS - CEDECONDH." 24 July 2006. Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre. 7 Oct. 2006 <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2004-12-09. Retrieved 2006-10-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)>.
  7. "COMISSÃO DE SAÚDE E MEIO AMBIENTE - COSMAM." 26 May 2006. Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre. 7 Oct. 2006 <"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2006-10-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)>.
  1. Porto Alegre City Council (in Portuguese)
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