On and after the effective date of this Charter, the civil service of the City shall be divided into the unclassified and classified service as defined by the laws of Ohio and appointments to and promotions in the civil service of the City of Eastlake, Ohio shall be made only according to merit and fitness to be ascertained as far as practical by competitive examinations; and thereafter no person shall be appointed, removed, transferred, laid off, suspended, reinstated, promoted or reduced as an officer or employee in the civil service of the City except as provided by the general laws of the State of Ohio.