On March 11, 1805, the new Mayor and Conseil de Ville, provided for in the 1805 city charter were installed, replacing the interim government established by Laussat in 1803. The Council was to meet at least once each month "for the despatch of business." It had the power to make all laws and ordinances for the government of the municipal corporation and for regulation of the police of the city. Powers of taxation, of both real and personal property, were also given to the Council under the city charter.

The Conseil de Ville was composed of fourteen aldermen, with two of those officers being elected from each of the city's seven wards. A charter amendment in 1806 set the term of office for aldermen at two years and provided that two be elected from each of the city's first six wards, with one each coming from wards seven and eight. This law also made elective the office of Recorder, who had been named in the charter as the presiding officer of the Council.

The Conseil de Ville was empowered to elect its own clerk, doorkeeper, and other officers, as well as to name a Treasurer for the city. Subsequent charter amendments and municipal ordinances further defined the powers and responsibilities of the Council. It remained the city's legislative authority until the adoption of a new charter in 1836. That law provided for separate municipality councils to govern various sections of the city, along with a general council that retained some authority over the entire city.