(a) At any time during his tenure in office that the Ombudsman is on sick leave as defined in § 35-88A.1., extended sick leave as defined in § 35-88.A.2., or otherwise absent from work for 20 consecutive workdays, the City Council may by a two-thirds majority of members, elect to appoint a temporary Ombudsman.
(b) A temporary Ombudsman shall have all the powers and authority of the Ombudsman. However, any professional services contracts entered into by a temporary Ombudsman are terminable at will and are to be for an indefinite duration.
(c) During the period of absence as defined in subsection (a) above, the Ombudsman shall be relieved of all authority relative to the Ombudsman’s office.
(d) Pursuant to this section, the Ombudsman must comply with § 35-88A.3(b) in order to return to work. Once the Ombudsman has been cleared to return to work on a date certain, a temporary Ombudsman shall be placed on notice that his/her last day of employment shall be the day preceding the Ombudsman’s return.
(e) Upon return to work, the Ombudsman’s powers shall be fully reinstated.
(f) A temporary Ombudsman’s term of appointment shall not continue past the Ombudsman’s term of appointment.
(g) A temporary Ombudsman is ineligible to be appointed Ombudsman.
(h) A temporary Ombudsman may be appointed more than once, but shall not serve for longer than a combined total of seven years.
(i) All powers vested in the City Council under Section 3-501 et seq. of the Flint City Charter, as well as the limitations contained therein shall remain in effect under this section.
(Ord. 3516, passed 8-25-2003)