All legislative powers of the City shall be vested, subject to the terms of this Charter and the constitution of the State, in the Governing Body consisting of five (5) Council members, the Mayor and Recorder, elected at large. The Governing Body shall have authority to pass all ordinances necessary and proper to carry into force and effect all of the powers of the City and to fix from time to time the salaries of all City employees and officers, including the Mayor, Manager, Recorder and members of Council: Provided, that no elected officer's salary shall be increased during the term for which he or she is elected. All members of Council shall be qualified voters of the City and shall hold no other elected public office or be employed by the City. Members of Council shall be elected for terms of four (4) years beginning on the 1st day of July following their election, except that of the five members of Council elected at the first election held under the provisions of this Charter, the two receiving the smallest number of votes shall be elected for terms of two (2) years. At each regular election thereafter either two or three members of Council as the case may be, shall be elected to succeed the incumbent members whose terms of office expire on the 30th day of June following the election. The terms of office of all members of Council in office on the date this Charter is adopted shall continue until the close of business on the 30th day of June following the first election held hereunder.
If any member of Council shall cease to be qualified as such, for any reason, the office shall immediately become vacant. Any vacancy on Council shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining members of Council appointing a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. If the vacancy is not filled within sixty (60) days by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining members of Council, the Mayor shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. A council member, including the Mayor and Recorder, shall be subject to removal from office for neglect of duty pursuant to West Virginia Code 6-6-7 if he (1) lacks at any time during his term of office any qualification for the office prescribed by this Charter, (2) violates any express prohibition of this Charter, (3) is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or (4) fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Council without being excused by the Council as reflected in the minutes.