Concurrently with the election on adoption of this charter, an election shall be held for seven (7) members of the first Commission. Nomination petitions shall be received by the clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. November 16, 1970 and the election shall be conducted on an at-large, non-partisan basis on a single ballot and with each voter permitted to vote for up to seven (7) of the commission candidates. The four commissioners receiving the greatest number of votes shall have terms of four years and the three other commissioners shall have terms of two years. As nearly as practicable, the election shall be conducted in conformance with the terms of this proposed charter and the election laws of the state.
If this charter is adopted, the first commission shall convene, be sworn in, and organize at the Municipal Office at 7:00 p.m. on December 29, 1970, at which time the incumbent council of the present Village of Imlay City shall complete its business and then terminate and cease to exist, and all rights, duties, functions, and powers of the council shall become vested in the new commission.
Officers holding office under the previous charter, except members of the Village Council, shall continue in office until their successors are chosen or until the office is abolished in accordance with the provisions of this charter. Where questions arise concerning the responsibility and authority of officers, pending the appointment of a city manager, the commission shall temporarily fix responsibility and grant authority as is necessary to maintain the services of the city.