(A) (1) A Merit Commission shall be established consisting of five Commissioners.
(2) The Commissioners are:
(a) Two persons, who must be of different political parties, appointed by the Mayor;
(b) One person appointed by the Common Council; and
(c) Two persons, who must be of different political parties, elected by the active members of the Department.
(3) Political affiliation shall be determined through the voters’ registration records of the three most recent primary elections.
(B) Each Commissioner must have been a legal resident of the City of Lawrence for three consecutive years immediately preceding the Commissioner’s term and must be a person of good moral character. A Commissioner must be at least 21 years of age. A Commissioner may not be an active member of a Police or Fire Department or agency and not more than two Commissioners may be past members of a Police or Fire Department or agency. In addition, a person may not serve on the Commission if the person receives any remuneration as salary from the City.
(C) Each Commissioner shall take an oath of office to conscientiously discharge the Commissioner’s duties.
(D) The term of a Commissioner is four years. If a vacancy occurs on the Commission, it shall be filled within 30 days by the appointing or electing authority. The selection shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term. A Commissioner serves at the pleasure of the appointing or electing authority and may be removed at any time. In the case of a Commissioner elected by the Department, the Board of Public Works and Safety shall call a meeting of the active members of the Department if a recall petition signed by a majority of the active members is submitted to the Board.
(E) The Commission shall adopt rules to govern the Commission, including the time and place of regular monthly meetings and special meetings that are necessary to transact the business of the Commission. A majority of the Commissioners constitutes a quorum, and a majority vote of all the Commissioners is necessary to transact the business of the Commission. Each year the Commissioners shall select from the Commission members a President, Vice President and Secretary. The Commission shall keep a permanent record of its proceedings which shall be kept in the Fire Department administrative office.
(F) The Common Council may determine a per diem to be paid to each Commissioner for each day of actual service for the Commission.
(G) (1) The Commission shall adopt rules governing:
(a) The selection and appointment of persons to be employed as members of the Department, subject to applicable pension statutes;
(b) Promotions and demotions of members of the Department; and
(c) Disciplinary action or dismissal of members of the Department.
(2) The rules currently in force and effect as heretofore adopted by the existing Commission shall be and remain the rules of the Commission subject to further addition, amendment or repeal as the Commission may from time to time provide.