There shall be a City Council of five (5) members, which shall consist of the Mayor as Councilmember at large, and one (1) Councilmember from each of the four (4) wards of the City, as the wards are constituted by ordinance.
(a) A candidate for Mayor must be a qualified elector and resident of the City for at least one (1) year immediately prior to filing a declaration of candidacy. If he ceases to be a resident of the City, he shall thereupon cease to be Mayor; however, a temporary loss of residency in the City of no more than six (6) months shall not disqualify the Mayor.
(b) A candidate for Councilmember must be a qualified elector and resident of the City for at least one (1) year and a resident of the ward for at least six (6) months, immediately prior to filing a declaration of candidacy. If he ceases to be a resident of the ward in which he was elected, he shall cease to be a Councilmember; however, a temporary loss of residency in the ward of no more than six (6) months shall not disqualify the Councilmember, and provided however, if the Councilmember moves to another ward in the city, the Councilmember shall continue to serve until the end of the current term.
(c) Neither the Mayor or any Councilmember may hold any city position in the City Government by appointment by the City Manager, by any sub-ordinate of the City Manager, or by the City Council. Any City employee who is elected to a City position automatically vacates his position of employment.
(d) If the Mayor or any Councilmember is convicted of a felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, or a misdemeanor involving embezzlement, the office shall become vacant immediately.
(e) An incumbent Mayor or Councilmember shall be required to resign as Mayor or Councilmember in order to become eligible as a candidate for any city, county, state, or federal elected office, other than Mayor or City Council position. (Amended 3/9/93; Res. 20231120CCHPWA, 4-2-2024)