§ 25 Dividing the City into Wards

   The Council not later than April 1, 2009, shall redivide the City into wards based on the City’s population as of February 15, 2009 as determined by estimated population figures compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau or other reliable source as determined by the Council as of that date. The number of wards shall be an odd number between a maximum of 25 wards and a minimum of 11 wards using the following table that reflects a ratio of one ward for every 25,000 people based on the estimated population figures:

If the City’s population is:	The City shall be divided into the following number of wards:
More than 575,000	25
575,000 or less but more than 525,000	23
525,000 or less but more than 475,000	21
475,000 or less but more than 425,000	19
425,000 or less but more than 375,000	17
375,000 or less but more than 325,000	15
325,000 or less but more than 275,000	13
275,000 or less	11

 

   The wards so formed shall be as nearly equal in population as may be fair and equitable, composed of contiguous and compact territory, and bounded by natural boundaries or street lines. When any territory is annexed to the City the Council shall by ordinances declare it a part of the adjacent ward or wards.

   If the Council fails or neglects to redivide the City into wards by April 1, 2009, the Mayor shall within 7 days thereafter submit to Council the plan for redividing the City into wards using the above table to determine the number of wards, which division plan of the Mayor shall become effective until the next decennial Federal census when the wards shall be reapportioned as provided in Section 25-1.

   The members of Council to be elected under the terms herein shall be elected at the regular Municipal election on November 3, 2009, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Charter of the City of Cleveland. The division of the City into wards existing at the time of the adoption of this amendment shall continue until changed as provided herein.

(Effective November 4, 2008)

§ 25-1 Reapportionment of Wards

   Commencing with the Federal census decennially taken in the closest proximity to January 1, 2010, and following each subsequent Federal decennial census, the Council no later than April 1 prior to the next regular municipal election shall reapportion the wards of the City, provided however that if the proclamation by the Secretary of State stating the population of cities in Ohio as determined by any such Federal census occurs in any year when the City conducts a regular Municipal election and the proclamation of the Secretary of State occurs less than 120 days before the date for filing nominating petitions for the election under Charter Section 8, the reapportionment of wards under this section shall be effective by no later than April 1 prior to the next regular Municipal election four years thereafter and for all subsequent elections for City offices until the next decennial Federal census. The number of wards shall be an odd number between a maximum of 25 wards and a minimum of 11 wards using the following table that reflects a ratio of one ward for every 25,000 people based on the estimated population figure contained in the proclamation of the Secretary of State:

If the City’s population is:	The City shall be divided into the following number of wards:
More than 575,000	25
575,000 or less but more than 525,000	23
525,000 or less but more than 475,000	21
475,000 or less but more than 425,000	19
425,000 or less but more than 375,000	17
375,000 or less but more than 325,000	15
325,000 or less but more than 275,000	13
275,000 or less	11

 

   The wards so formed shall be as nearly equal in population as may be, composed of contiguous and compact territory, and bound by natural boundaries and street lines.

   If the Council fails to reapportion the wards by the dates herein provided, the Mayor shall within fifteen business days thereafter submit to Council a plan for the reapportionment of the wards. The Council shall within ten business days after receiving the Mayor’s plan, reapportion the wards as herein provided. If the Council does not reapportion the wards within this latter ten business day period, the reapportionment plan of the Mayor shall become effective until the next decennial Federal census when the wards shall be reapportioned as herein provided.

(Effective May 4, 2010)

§ 26 Qualifications of Council Members

   Members of the Council shall be residents of the City and have the qualifications of electors therein. A member of the Council, who at the time of his election, was a resident of the ward which he represents shall forfeit his office if he removes therefrom. Members of Council shall not hold any other public office or employment except that of notary public or member of the State militia, and shall not be interested in the profits or emoluments of any contract job, work or service of the Municipality. Any member who shall cease to possess any of the qualifications herein required shall forthwith forfeit his office, and any such contract in which any member is or may become interested may be declared void by the Council. No member of the Council shall, except in so far as is necessary in the performance of the duties of his office, directly or indirectly interfere in the conduct of the administrative department, or directly or indirectly take any part in the appointment, promotion or dismissal of any officer, or employee in the service of the City other than the officers or employees of the Council.

(Effective November 9, 1931)

§ 27 Salary and Attendance of Council Members

   The salaries of the members of the Council first elected under this Charter shall be fixed by the outgoing Council. Thereafter the Council may, by ordinance passed in any even numbered year, change the salary of members of the Council thereafter elected. The annual salary of members of Council shall be increased each year by an amount which shall be computed by applying that percentage of the immediately preceding year's salary that is equal to the percentage for increases in salaries and wages established for that year in a majority of the collective bargaining agreements between the City and the various unions recognized by the City. Such increase shall be effective on January 1st of each year. The salary of a member of the Council shall be paid in equal semimonthly installments. The Council may by ordinance provide compensation for its President in addition to that which he or she receives as a member of the Council.

   For each absence of a member from regular meetings of the Council, unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of all members thereof, there shall be deducted a sum equal to two percent (2%) of the annual salary of each member. Absence from ten (10) consecutive regular meetings shall operate to vacate the seat of a member unless such absence is authorized by the Council.

(Effective April 28, 2020)

§ 28 Meetings of Council

   At seven o'clock p.m., on the first Monday in January following a regular Municipal election, the Council shall meet at the usual place for holding meetings, at which time the newly-elected members of the Council shall assume the duties of their offices; provided however, that if the first Monday in January following a regular Municipal election falls on a legal holiday, the Council shall meet at the usual place for holding meetings at seven o'clock p.m. the next business day following that holiday, at which time the newly-elected members of the Council shall assume the duties of their offices. Thereafter the Council shall meet at times as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution. The Mayor, the President of the Council, or any five members of Council may call special meetings of the Council upon at least twelve (12) hours' written notice to each member of the Council, served personally on each member or left at the usual place of residence of the member. Any notice shall state the subjects to be considered at the meeting and no other subjects shall be considered. All meetings of the Council or committees shall be public and any citizen shall have access to the minutes and records at all reasonable times.

(Effective April 28, 2020)

§ 29 Rules of Council

   The Council shall determine its own rules and order of business and shall keep a Journal of its proceedings. It may punish or expel any member for disorderly conduct or violation of its rules. No expulsion shall take place without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members elected nor until the delinquent member shall have been notified of the charge against him and been given an opportunity to be heard.

(Effective November 9, 1931)

§ 30 President of Council

   At the first meeting in January following a regular Municipal election, the Council shall elect one of its members President who shall preside at meetings of the Council and perform such duties as presiding officer as may be imposed upon him by the Council. In the absence of the President the Council shall elect a President pro tempore.

(Effective November 9, 1931)