Database field name reference
The list below contains database fields available for advanced searching. For instructions on how to search by field, please refer to our help page.
General notes:
- Most fields only display online when there is content in the field.
- Date fields use YYYYMMDD format.
- The documents we keep have come to us over nearly 150 years and in a variety of formats: paper, microfiche, digital files. Tracking and data entry practices have varied over time. The information presented is believed to be correct, but errors may be present. Contact us if you have questions about anything you find in these databases or to notify us of an error.
| Label | Field Name | Description | Notes on Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| TYPE | Type | Type of document the record represents: Council Bill, Ordinance, Resolution, Comptroller File, Clerk File. | Used in all legislative databases. |
| CBN | Council Bill number | Assigned to a bill when it is introduced to Council; this is the number it will be identified by on agendas and in minutes. | Used only in Council Bill/Ordinance database. The sequence used to restart from 1 every two years, so the early numbers are not unique. |
| ORDN | Ordinance number | Assigned to a bill when it is passed by Council; this is how it will be referred to subsequently. | Used only in Council Bill/Ordinance database. One sequence since 1869. |
| RESN | Resolution number | Assigned to a resolution when it is introduced to Council, and remains the same whether or not the resolution is adopted. | Used only in Resolution database. This sequence started over with 1 every biennium so the early numbers are not unique. |
| CFN | Comptroller File or Clerk File number | Assigned when a document is filed with the Office of the City Clerk. | Used only in Comptroller/Clerk File database. |
| STAT | Status | Shows the final action the City Council took on the item. | Used in all legislative databases. |
| TI | Title | For legislation, a summary of what the legislation is intended to do; for Clerk Files, the actual document title or a description of it. | Used in all legislative databases. |
| TX | Text | Electronic plain text. | The full text of records is generally available and searchable for bills, ordinances, and resolutions dating since 1996, as well as many clerk files. |
| SCAN | Scanned Document | (Y=available) | Used in all databases. |
| REF | References / Related Documents | Documents related to the item at hand. | Used in all databases. |
| FN | Fiscal note | Produced by the City Budget Office, the fiscal note provides a summary of the legislation and a description of its anticipated fiscal impact on the City. (Y=available) | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance and Resolution databases. Not present before 2002. |
| MISC | Miscellaneous | Additional information to help understand the item, or subsequent actions taken with regard to it, or indicating alternative language used to describe it, e.g. plastic bag ban. | Used in all databases. |
| INDX | Index Terms | Labels from our thesaurus/controlled vocabulary assigned to documents by City Clerk staff. | Used in all databases. Indexing practices have varied over the years; may not be present for all items. |
| DTF | Date filed | The date the document arrived at the City Clerk's office for permanent safekeeping. | Used in all databases. |
| SPON | Sponsor | The Councilmember(s) sponsoring the legislation for consideration by Council. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance and Resolution databases, and Clerk File database for items acted on by the City Council. |
| DTIR | Introduction / Referral Date | The date the legislation was introduced to the Council and referred to a committee for deliberation and a recommendation as to whether the City Council should approve it. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance and Resolution databases, and Clerk File database for items acted on by the City Council. |
| COMM | Committee Referral | The committee assigned to deliberate on the item and make a recommendation to the entire Council as to whether or not to approve it. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance, Resolution, and Clerk File databases for items referred to a committee, not for items referred directly to the full City Council. |
| CMR | Committee Recommendation | The recommendation made by the deliberating committee to the City Council for its final vote. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance, Resolution, and Clerk File databases for items referred to a committee, not for items referred directly to the full City Council. Only in use since 2012. |
| DCMR | Date of Committee Recommendation | The date of the meeting at which the committee voted on its recommendation to City Council. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance, Resolution, and Clerk File databases for items referred to a committee, not for items referred directly to the full City Council. Only in use since 2012. |
| CMV | Committee Vote | The tally for the committee vote on its recommendation to Council. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance, Resolution, and Clerk File databases for items referred to a committee, not for items referred directly to the full City Council. Only in use since 2012. |
| VOTE | Final City Council vote count | The tally for the City Council's final vote on an item. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance and Resolution databases, and Clerk File database for items acted on by the City Council. |
| DTSI | Date voted on by Council and signed by Council President | The date the City Council took its final vote on an item. DTCA in Clerk Files. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance and Resolution databases, and Clerk File database for items acted on by the City Council. |
| DTMY | Date presented to Mayor for signature | The date the City Clerk presented the item to the Mayor for approval per Charter. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance and Resolution databases, although not all items are presented to the Mayor for signature. |
| DTA | Date signed by mayor | The date the Mayor signed the item to indicate approval. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance and Resolution databases, although not all items are presented to the Mayor for signature. |
| DTV | Date vetoed | The date the Mayor vetoed an item per Charter. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance and Resolution databases, although not all items are presented to the Mayor for signature. |
| DTS | Date sustained | The date the Council sustained the Mayor's veto of an item per Charter. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance and Resolution databases, although not all items are presented to the Mayor for signature. |
| DTO | Date Mayor's veto was overridden by Council | The date the Council overrode the Mayor's veto of an item per Charter. | Used in Council Bill/Ordinance and Resolution databases, although not all items are presented to the Mayor for signature. |