Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Federation Council emerged from events later that year following the 1993 constitutional crisis. It was officially established as part of a bicameral Federal Assembly after the conflict ended on the 2nd of October 1993.
Laws now stipulate that regional executives have a say in choosing delegates to the Federation Council. Following the Beslan school hostage crisis in September 2004, Putin replaced direct gubernatorial elections with presidential appointments.
Senators must approve changes in borders between federal subjects of Russia before they take effect. A decree introducing martial law requires their consent before taking effect and the same approval is needed for any state of emergency declaration.
The federation council holds sessions within the Main Building on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street in Moscow. This structure was formerly home to the Soviet State Building Agency known as Gosstroy.
Valentina Matviyenko serves as the current chairwoman of the Federation Council since the 21st of September 2011. Since reforms began in 2000, the council maintains a significantly close relationship with the Kremlin.