The power of the Council shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Investigations. The Council shall have power to inquire into the conduct of any department, office, officer or employee of the City of Hart and to make investigations as to matters in which the Municipality has an interest. The Council for the purpose stated herein, may summon witnesses, administer oaths, and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, and other evidence.
Failure on the part of any officer to obey such summons or to produce books, papers and other evidence as ordered under the provisions of this section shall constitute misconduct in office. Failure on the part of any employee to obey such summons or to produce books, papers, or other evidence as ordered under the provisions of this section, shall constitute a violation of this Charter and such employee when found guilty of such violation by a competent tribunal may be punished by a fine of not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
It is provided further that, in case of failure on the part of any person to obey such summons or to produce such books, papers, and other evidence as so ordered, the Council may invoke the aid of the Circuit Court of Oceana County in requiring obeyance of such summons or production of such books, papers, and other evidence.
(b) Depository of City Funds. The Council shall have the power to select one or more depositories in which the funds of the City shall be deposited.
(c) Public Health and Safety. Through the established departments of the City government, the Council shall have the power to provide for the public peace and health and for the safety of persons and property.
(d) Streets and Alleys. The Council shall have power to establish and vacate and to use and to control and regulate the use of its streets, alleys, bridges, and public places, whether such public places be located within or without the limits of the City, and the space above and beneath them. Such power shall include, but not be limited to, the proper policing and supervision thereof and to the licensing and regulation or the prohibition of the placing of signs, awnings, awning posts and things which are of such nature as to impede or make dangerous use of sidewalks, upon or over the sidewalks of the City, and the licensing and regulation of the construction and use of openings in the sidewalks, and of all vaults, structures, and excavations under the same.
(e) Waters and Watercourses. For the benefit of the public morals, peace, health, and welfare, the Council shall have and possess the power to use and to control and regulate the use of all streams, waters, and watercourses within the City limits.
(f) Health Powers of Council. The Council shall have and exercise within and for the City all the powers and authority conferred upon Boards of Health by State law insofar as the same is applicable and consistent with the provisions of this Charter and may enact such ordinances as may be deemed necessary for the preservation and protection of the health of the City's inhabitants.
(g) Plats. No lands or premises shall be subdivided within the City unless in accordance with the terms and conditions as may be provided by ordinance, subject to any limitations imposed by State law.
(h) Licenses. The Council shall by ordinance prescribe the terms and conditions upon which licenses may be granted, suspended, or revoked and may require and exact payment of such reasonable sums for any licenses as it may deem proper.
(i) Rights as to Property. The Council shall have the power to acquire for the City by purchase, gift, condemnation, lease, construction or otherwise, either within or without its corporation limits, and either within or without the County of Oceana private property, for any public use or purpose within the scope of its powers, whether herein specifically mentioned or not, and shall have the power to maintain and operate the same to promote the public health, safety and welfare.
(j) Parks and Cemeteries. The Council shall have power to enact all ordinances deemed necessary for the establishment, maintenance, and protection of all cemeteries and parks, together with the improvements thereon and appurtenances thereto, owned or hereafter acquired by the City either within or without its corporate limits. All ordinances pertaining to public health and welfare in the regulation and protection of public cemeteries shall apply equally to all cemeteries within the City belonging to, or under the control of, any church or religious society, or any corporation, company, or association.
(k) Restriction; Sale of Property. The Council shall not have power, unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon, to sell any park, cemetery or any part thereof, or any property bordering on a waterfront. Other City property may be sold by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Council after a public hearing is held; notice of such public hearing is to be published in a newspaper circulating within the City not less than four (4) days prior to said hearing.