Final answer:
A characteristic of the mayor-council systems used by most cities in the United States is that citizens are allowed to have an active role in decision-making. Mayoral systems can vary in strength. Power is not concentrated only in the legislative body, as the mayor has executive responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
A characteristic of the mayor-council systems used by most cities in the United States is that citizens are allowed to have an active role in decision-making. This means that citizens have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process by voting for the mayor and members of the city council who will represent their interests and make important decisions on their behalf. Additionally, mayoral systems can vary in strength, meaning that the degree of authority given to the mayor can be strong or weak. Some mayors have significant power and can veto council actions, appoint department heads, and produce budgets, while others have limited authority and act more as ceremonial figures. It's important to note that power is not concentrated only in the legislative body under the mayor-council system. While the city council performs legislative functions, the mayor is responsible for executing and implementing those decisions.