(a) The Common Council shall have the power to expel any of its members for violation of an official duty or declare the seat of any member vacant if the member is unable to perform the duties of the member’s office.
(b) The Council shall in such cases first, by resolution, direct the Corporation Counsel to draw up a bill of impeachment setting forth the nature of the charges and the facts supporting them.
(c) The bill of impeachment shall be filed with the Clerk and delivered to the member in writing.
(d) The member shall have 15 days to respond in writing to the bill of impeachment. The member shall submit their written response to the Clerk, who shall then distribute the written response to the full Council.
(e) Fifteen days after the bill of impeachment is filed with the Clerk, the President of the Council shall call a special Council meeting, which is to take place not more than 20 days later. The only matter on the agenda shall be to conduct a hearing to receive evidence for and against removal. The Council may meet in executive session to receive information regarding removal if permitted by I.C., 5-14-1.5-6.1, as it may be amended from time to time.
(f) At the conclusion of the hearing, the Council shall deliberate and vote on the issue of removal at a public meeting. A two-thirds majority vote of the elected members shall be necessary to remove a member.
(Ord. D-2605-21, As Amended, 12-6-21)