(a) Merit Principle. All appointments and promotions of Village officers and employees shall be made solely on the basis of merit and fitness demonstrated by a valid and reliable examination or other evidence of competence.
(b) Merit System. Consistent with all applicable Federal and State laws on equal employment opportunity, affirmative action and related topics, the Village Council shall provide by ordinance for the establishment, regulation and maintenance of a merit system governing personnel policies necessary for effective administration of the employees of the Village's departments, offices and agencies, including, but not limited to, promotion and appointments, classification and pay plans, examinations, certification lists, force reduction, working conditions, provisional and exempt appointments, in-service training, grievances and relationships with employee organizations. In addition, Council shall by ordinance determine which officers are "administrative officers", as that term is used in this Charter.
(c) Suspensions and Removals. The directors of the departments have the exclusive right to suspend any of their deputies, officers, and employees who are under their management and control, for incompetence, gross neglect of duty, gross immorality, habitual drunkenness, failure to obey orders given them by a proper authority, or for any other reasonable or just cause. If an employee is suspended, the director shall immediately certify this in writing, stating the cause for the suspension, to the Mayor and shall serve a true copy of the charges against whom they are made. Within five (5) days after receiving the certification, the Mayor shall inquire into the cause of the suspension and render a judgment on it. If the Mayor agrees with the charges, he or she may suspend, reduce in rank or remove the person from the department. Suspensions for more than three (3) days, reduction in rank, or removal from the department may be appealed to the Village Council within five (5) days from the date of the Mayor's judgment. After reviewing the case in executive session, the Village Council may uphold, dismiss, or modify the decision of the Mayor. Any dismissal of the charges or modification of the Mayor's decision by Council shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all Council members, or the Mayor's decision shall be deemed upheld. In all cases, the person against whom the charges are made shall be able to appeal the action to the appropriate State court as specified in the current Ohio Revised Code.
(d) Collective Bargaining. The Village recognizes the rights of its employees to form and join labor organizations. The Village will negotiate and bargain in good faith with a labor organization representing its employees, and, should a collective bargaining agreement be reached, enter into a valid and enforceable contract with the labor organization. The Village will adhere to the procedures outlined in Ohio R.C. Chapter 4117 for impasse resolution of disputes with its safety forces.
(Nov. 4, 1997; Nov. 2, 1999; Nov. 5, 2002)