All legislative power of the Village shall be vested in the Council, except as otherwise provided by this Charter and the Constitution of the State of Ohio. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Council shall have and possess the following powers:
A. The power to levy taxes and incur debts subject to the limitation imposed thereon by this Charter and the Constitution of the State of Ohio.
B. The power to adopt and to provide for the enforcement of such local police, sanitary and other similar regulations as are not in conflict with general laws.
C. The power to provide for the exercise of all powers of local self-government granted to the Village by the Constitution of the State of Ohio, in a manner consistent with this Charter or the Constitution of the State of Ohio.
D. The power to establish the number of employees and officers in the various offices, departments, divisions, bureaus, boards and commissions of the Village and to fix the rate of their compensation, hours of work, and to provide such fringe benefits as may be deemed proper by the Council.
E. The power to require such bonds as in the opinion of the Council are necessary for the faithful discharge of the duties of the officers and employees of the Village, including without limitation, the Mayor, the Manager, the chief financial officer, the Clerk of Courts, the Tax Administrator, and all personnel in the Finance Department.
F. The power to create other offices, departments, divisions, bureaus, boards and commissions; and the power to combine, change and abolish any office, department, division, bureau, board or commission. The Council shall not abolish the offices of Manager, Mayor, President of Council, Clerk of Council, Council members, Law Director or Finance Director.
G. Council shall have the power, by ordinance, to control the development or use of land within the corporate limits of the Village and to regulate construction thereon. Council shall not have the power to vacate public use of parks or other green areas municipally owned without the approval of a majority of the electorate at a public vote. Council may acquire land with a view toward redevelopment and may dispose of such land on the terms and conditions it deems in the best interest of the Village. Council may from time to time in the manner it deems in the best interest of the Village dispose of real property acquired by the Village but not used for a public purpose such that said real property is not exempt from taxation under the Ohio Revised Code.
H. To provide, if deemed necessary by Council, for an annual or special independent audit of any or all municipal funds without competitive bidding. Such audit may be in addition to such audit by representatives of the State Auditor or other State official or agency as may be determined to be required under the Constitution of the State of Ohio.
I. The power to acquire title to or interests in real and personal property shall be vested in the Council, whether such property is acquired by the exercise of power of eminent domain, purchase, gift, lease, lease with option to purchase, devise, bequest, in trust, or otherwise. The power to sell or otherwise convey, lease, lease with option to purchase, or grant interests in real property shall be vested in the Council. Such sale, conveyance, lease, or grant shall be in the manner as provided by the ordinance authorizing the sale, conveyance, lease, or grant. Title to all real property shall be taken in the name of the Village.
J. The power to adopt the annual budget and appropriation measures of the Village.
K. The power to approve the members of all boards and commissions created by the Charter or by enactment of the Council as provided herein.
L. The power to accept gifts and grants to and on behalf of the Village.
M. The power to inquire into the conduct of any officers, employee, agent, or independent contractor in the exercise of their powers, duties, or functions, or in their performance of work or service or provision of equipment, materials or supplies to or on behalf of the Village; and to inquire into and investigate any and all municipal affairs. In the exercise of this power, the Council shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and require the production of records and other evidence in the manner provided in the rules, regulations, or by-laws of Council; and in the absence of such provisions, the Mayor shall have the power to issue subpoenas for witnesses and the production of records and other evidence.
N. The power to exercise or provide for the exercise of all other powers granted to legislative authorities of municipalities by the Constitution of the State of Ohio, and to exercise all other powers granted to the Council by and under this Charter.
O. The power to appoint and to remove the Law Director, Manager and Clerk of Council.
P. Council shall conduct, not less frequently than once a year, a review of the performance of the Law Director, Manager and Clerk of Council.
Q. Council shall adopt employee policies, and such policies and procedures shall be periodically reviewed.