(a) As authorized and mandated by § 102 of the Charter, in addition to and apart from the five elected public officials who are Council members making up the legislative body of the city consisting of one President of City Council, one Vice President and three members of Council, together with a President Pro Tem who may be elected by Council as deemed necessary in the absence of the President and Vice President, the regular and part-time employees of the city within the organizational structure of Council, the legislative branch of the city government, which may be deemed for purposes of structure discussion as being similar to a “municipal department”, the employees may consist of a Clerk who shall be appointed and/or terminated by the President of Council, and Council may also elect such other officers and employees of Council as it deems necessary, to serve at the pleasure of Council. The President of Council shall adjust compensation for the Clerk. In the event that the Council disagrees with a personnel decision that has been made by the President of Council, the decision shall be overturned provided a written letter signed by at least three members of Council is submitted to the President of Council stating the decision that should be overturned and the reasons for overturning the decision.
(b) In addition to the election by Council of one Clerk of Council, the other officers and employees of Council as it deems necessary, to serve at the pleasure of Council, shall not exceed the following: one Assistant Clerk of Council; one Clerk Typist; one Deputy Clerk; and one special legal counsel and any of these positions may be served either on a full- or part-time basis as Council shall so determine. All employees appointed pursuant to this section shall be appointed and/or terminated in the manner prescribed in division (a) above and the compensation for these employees shall be adjusted in the manner prescribed in division (a) above.
(c) Council hereby expressly reserves the authority and right granted to it under § 102 of the City Charter, to designate, elect and to appoint such other officers and employees of Council as it may deem necessary to serve at Council’s pleasure; further, in addition to and notwithstanding the provisions in division (b) above, as Council deems necessary, Council may also appoint any officer or employee of the city under its jurisdiction, in its discretion, to serve as Clerk Pro Tempore or as Deputy Clerk, in the absence of the Clerk upon such terms, on such conditions and for such time as Council may determine.
(d) Nothing contained herein under this section shall be construed to restrict and/or limit the freedom to make such additional, unspecified appointments as it deems necessary from time to time, of professional persons or entities, to serve under contract, duly authorized by law and to render in behalf of the city or Council certain necessary and required professional services, as is or may be rendered by such professional nonemployee as special counsel, certified public accountants, auditors, bond counsel and such other specialists, including, but not limited to, other nonprofessional persons such as certified paralegals and other support staff, as deemed proper and necessary and provided such contract professional services are all within authorized appropriations.
(Ord. 77-08, passed 10-21-2008)