The Council shall consist of six members to be elected at large by the qualified voters of the city for terms of four years beginning on the first day of July following their election. Such term will end at the close of business on the thirtieth day of June four years after the member's election.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to change from an odd-numbered year election to an even-numbered year election and from a seven-member Council to a six-member plus mayor Council, the following transition period will control:
(a) The four members elected in the June 2021 election will serve for a term of five years. Starting with the election in May 2026, the four membership positions will be reduced to three and only three members will be elected in the May 2026 and subsequent elections. Such members elected in May 2026 or subsequent elections will each serve a term of four years.
(b) The three members elected in June 2019 will serve four-year terms, with their terms ending on the 30th day of June 2023. Those three membership positions shall be on the ballot at the next regular election of the City to be held June 6, 2023, pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Charter. Such members elected in June 2023 will serve for a one-year term and such membership positions shall be on the ballot for election in May 2024. Such members elected in May 2024 or subsequent elections will each serve a term of four years.
The Mayor shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the city for a term of two years. The Mayor shall preside at meetings of the Council and shall be recognized as the head of the city government for all ceremonial and military purposes but shall have no regular administrative duties. The Mayor otherwise shall act as a Councilperson and shall have the same voting rights, other rights, and obligations as a Councilperson unless otherwise stated in the Charter or the Codified Ordinances.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to change from a Mayor elected by and from councilmembers to a Mayor elected by the voters, the following transition period will control:
(a) At a special meeting to be held at 7:30 p.m. on the first day of July following each regular city election, the newly elected Council shall elect one of its members to serve as Mayor for a term of two years; and
(b) Beginning in the May 2026 election, the Mayor shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the city.
The Mayor and Councilpersons shall be qualified voters of the city, shall have been
residents of the city for at least thirty days prior to their nomination for the office and shall not be employed by the city in any capacity. No person may serve as Mayor after having served eight years as a Mayor elected by the public at large, consecutively or non-consecutively. No time served as a Mayor appointed by the Council shall count towards the aforementioned eight-year lifetime limit. No person may serve as a Councilperson after having served a total of sixteen years as a Councilperson and/or as a Mayor elected by the public at large, consecutively or nonconsecutively. Further, no person may serve as a Councilperson elected by the public at large more than eight years consecutively. No time served as a Councilperson prior to July 1, 2026, shall count towards either the aforementioned eight-year consecutive limit nor the aforementioned sixteen year lifetime limit and no time spent as a Councilperson appointed to such position shall count towards the lifetime or consecutive limits. If a councilperson shall cease to be qualified, such councilperson's office shall immediately become vacant.
A special meeting of the Council shall be held at 7:30 p.m. on the first day of July following each regular city election. The newly elected Mayor shall chair this meeting and said Mayor and the newly elected Councilpersons shall be inducted into office at said meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to change from a Mayor elected by and from councilmembers to a Mayor elected by the voters, if the Mayor has not been elected by the voters, then at the special meeting held on the first day of July following the regular city election, then the newly elected Councilpersons shall select a temporary chairman to open the meeting and induct the Councilpersons. The Council shall then elect one of their members to serve as Mayor for a term of two years.
The salary of the Mayor and Council shall be fixed by ordinance.
If any vacancy occurs in the office of the unsuccessful candidates for the office of councilperson at the last election, who are still qualified and willing to serve, the one who received more votes than any of the others shall be entitled to the office. If the vacancy cannot filled by this method, it shall be filled at a special election to be held on a date not more than four months after the vacancy occurs. In the resolution calling the special election, the Council shall specify procedures for the conduct of the election, and dates for the circulation and filing of nominating petitions and for the holding of the election, which shall conform as nearly as may be practicable to the procedures and schedule established by this charter for regular city elections.
If any vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor, the Council shall within thirty days by the affirmative vote of at least four members appoint a Councilmember to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. The Councilmember shall be replaced in accordance with the preceding paragraph. (Amended 6-1-93; 6-1-21; 6-6-23)