(a) The Civil Service Commission shall consist of three electors of the City not holding other municipal office, employment or appointment, to be appointed by the mayor, with the concurrence of a majority of the members of Council, for terms of six years each, commencing on January 25 of such year, and whose terms shall be staggered so that each term ends in a different year. A vacancy occurring during the term of any member of the Commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner authorized for an original appointment.
(b) The Civil Service Commission shall be the sole authority under this charter to determine the grade and classification of positions as to duties and responsibilities in all branches of the classified civil service and shall provide by rule for the ascertainment of merit and fitness as the basis for appointment and promotion in the service of the City as required by the laws of Ohio, and for appeals from the action of an appointing authority, in any case of transfer, reduction or removal. In cases where an appeal is made by a City employee who is covered under a collective bargaining agreement, such employee must adhere to the appeal process as defined by the agreement. The action of the Commission on any such appeal shall be final except as otherwise provided by the laws of Ohio. Civil service examinations shall not be required for the appointment of any member of a board or commission, or any head of a department or division, or any assistant to the mayor or to the head of any department, or for the appointment to any other office or position requiring particular and exceptional qualifications. Any person wishing to take a civil service examination, and who qualifies under the laws of Ohio and the rules of the Civil Service Commission, is eligible to take the examination.
(c) On or before July 1 of each year in which a presidential general election is held, the Civil Service Commission shall review and make a written report to Council, which report shall be filed with the clerk of Council and the office of the mayor, setting forth the commission's recommendations for the salary and other compensation for the offices of mayor and members of Council. Council shall place that report on the next docket at a regularly scheduled Council meeting. If Council takes no action or fails to decline to follow the suggestions within 90 days, the recommendations shall take effect as if Council had adopted them by ordinance under Section 3.5 and as if they had been approved by the mayor under Section 4.3. However, no increase in salary under this section shall exceed 10 percent of the salary for the office of mayor or Council, unless there has been no increase in salary for that office in the preceding 10 years.