ARTICLE II: LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

SECTION 2-1. COUNCIL; LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY VESTED IN, ELECTION, TERM, TERM LIMITS.

   The legislative authority of the City shall be vested in and exercised by the City Council. The electors shall elect its members as provided in this Charter for a term of four (4) years and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Effective January 1, 2020, no Councilmember shall serve more than three (3) consecutive four (4) year terms. After serving the maximum number of terms, no Councilmember may serve in the same office unless the Councilmember has been out of office for no less than two (2) years. Election or appointment to a partial term shall not count toward the eligibility limitation, but election or appointment to a full term shall count toward the eligibility limitation.

(Amended 10-14-03; Amended 2-12-19)

SECTION 2-2. COUNCIL: QUALIFICATIONS.

   There shall be two Councilmembers from each of the four (4) wards of the City. To become eligible as a candidate for Councilmember a person must, for at least one (1) year prior to filing a declaration of candidacy, be a registered voter and resident of the ward of the City. If a Councilmember ceases to be a resident of the ward in which he was elected, he shall thereupon cease to be a Councilmember.
(Amended 10-14-03)

SECTION 2-3. MAYOR: QUALIFICATIONS, TERM, TERM LIMITS, DUTIES.

   To become eligible as a candidate for Mayor a person must, for at least one (1) year prior to filing a declaration of candidacy, be a registered voter and resident of the City. The Mayor shall be nominated and elected at large. If the Mayor ceases to be a resident of the City, he or she shall thereupon cease to be Mayor. The term of office of Mayor shall be four (4) years and until a successor has been elected and qualified. Effective January 1, 2020, no Mayor shall serve more than three (3) consecutive four (4) year terms. After serving the maximum number of terms, no Mayor may serve in the same office unless the Mayor has been out of office for no less than two (2) years. Election or appointment to a partial term shall not count toward the eligibility limitation, but election or appointment to a full term shall count toward the eligibility limitation. The Mayor shall be ex-officio a member of the Council. The Mayor shall preside at all meetings of the Council, and may participate with and have a vote in all proceedings of and business transacted by the Council; but the Mayor shall have no power of veto. The Mayor shall certify all ordinances and resolutions passed by the Council. The Mayor shall sign all contracts awarded by the Council, all warrants drawn on the City Treasury in payment of claims and obligations of the City duly authorized by the Council, and all commissions and certificates of appointment made by the Council, provided a facsimile signature may be used except where prohibited by law. The Mayor shall, by proclamation, call all special elections of the City and the officials to conduct the same, as shall be authorized by the Council, the Constitution, and the general laws of the State or this Charter. The Mayor shall perform such other ministerial duties as the Council may direct and such other special duties as may be required by law. The Mayor shall be recognized as head of the City Government for all ceremonial purposes and by the Governor for purposes of military law. The Mayor shall have no regular administrative duties except as otherwise provided in this Charter.

(Amended 10-14-03; Amended 2-12-19)

SECTION 2-4. VICE-MAYOR: APPOINTMENT, DUTIES.

   The Council shall appoint one of its members Vice-Mayor for a term of one year at the first meeting in June of each year. He shall act as Mayor during the absence or disability of the Mayor, and if a vacancy occurs shall be come Mayor for the completion of the unexpired term. If, by succession to the office of Mayor or otherwise the office of Vice-Mayor becomes vacant, the Council shall appoint another Vice-Mayor.

SECTION 2-5. MAYOR AND COUNCIL: COMPENSATION.

   The Mayor and each Councilmember shall receive such compensation as may be prescribed by ordinance; provided that neither the compensation of the Mayor or of any Councilmember shall be changed after his election or during his current term of office.

SECTION 2-6. COUNCIL: POWERS.

   Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, all powers of the City, including the determination of all matters of policy, shall be vested in the Council. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Council may:

   1.   Appoint and remove the City Manager as provided in this Charter;

   2.   By ordinance enact municipal legislation;

   3.   Raise revenue, make appropriations, regulate bond elections, the issuance of bonds, sinking funds, the refunding of indebtedness, salaries and wages, and all other fiscal affairs of the City subject to the provisions of the State Constitution and law and this Charter;

   4.   Establish or adopt a pension, retirement, and/or social security system or systems for any or all groups of the officers and employees in the service of the City, either alone or in cooperation with other municipalities, the state or federal government, or all;

   5.   Inquire into the conduct of any office, department, or agency of the City, and investigate municipal affairs;

   6.   Appoint and remove its own subordinates, the members of the Personnel Board, the members of the Planning Commission, the Board of Adjustment and other quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial authorities, the members of the zoning authorities, now existing or when and if established, or prescribe the method of appointing or electing and removing them;

   7.   Grant pardons, including the remission of fines and costs upon the recommendation of the Municipal Judge;

   8.   Regulate elections and the initiative and referendum within the limits prescribed by the State Constitution and law and this Charter;

   9.   Regulate the organization, powers, duties, and functions of the Municipal Court and of the Minor Violations Bureau, when and if established, within the limits prescribed by the State Constitution and law and this Charter;

   10.   Create, change, and abolish all offices, departments, and agencies of the City other than the offices, departments and agencies established by this Charter; and assign additional functions and duties to

offices, departments, and agencies established by the Charter;

   11.   Regulate or prohibit the keeping of domestic fowls, animals, and livestock within the City, and as a part of such regulation tax the owners and harborers of dogs;

   12.   Regulate the moving of buildings into, within, or through the City; provided that no such building shall be moved into, within, or through the City except on permit issued by the Planning Commission pursuant to such regulations as the Council may make;

   13.   To define, control, and prohibit public nuisances within the City of Bethany;

   14.   To determine all local matters of policy, except as may be prohibited by the Oklahoma Constitution.