Every board, commission or committee that has been granted such power by the Charter or by ordinance may subpoena witnesses and books, documents, records or other evidence at the request of any member of such board, commission or committee or at the request of any person who will appear at a hearing before such board, commission or committee. The president, chair or other head of such board, commission or, in his or her absence or unavailability, the acting head of such board, commission or committee shall sign any subpoena to be issued pursuant to this subsection, and such subpoena shall be served and executed by any person authorized to serve subpoenas, and in the manner required, by Rule 45 of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure. The return of such subpoena shall be filed with the clerk or secretary of such board, commission or committee. The Director of Law, the Assistant Director of Law or, in their absence or unavailability, the chair or any other member of such board, commission or committee may administer the requisite oaths to witnesses, and such board, commission or committee shall have the same power to compel the giving of testimony by the attending witnesses as is conferred upon courts of justice. In all such cases, witnesses shall be entitled to the same privileges, immunities and compensation as are allowed witnesses in civil cases, and the cost shall be paid from the general fund of the Municipality. Any person who refuses to obey a subpoena issued pursuant to this subsection or to testify in response to such subpoena shall be guilty of contempt of such board, commission or committee, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(Ord. 68-2015. Passed 6-8-15.)