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THE COUNCIL
The legislative powers of the City, except as reserved to the people by this Charter, shall be vested in a Council, one elected at large from the City who shall be the President of the Council and one from each ward.
Commencing with the Municipal election held in November, 1973, all Councilmen to be elected from a ward designated by an even number shall be elected for a term of two (2) years and shall serve until their successors are chosen and have qualified; thereafter, and beginning with the Municipal election held in November, 1975, all said Councilmen shall be elected for a term of four (4) years and shall serve until their successors are chosen and have qualified.
Commencing with the Municipal election held in November, 1973, all Councilmen to be elected from a ward designated by an odd number shall be elected for a term of four (4) years and shall serve until their successors are chosen and have qualified.
Commencing with the Municipal election held in November, 1971, the President of the Council shall be elected for a term of four (4) years and shall serve until his successor is chosen and has qualified.
If at any time, the office of a member of Council is vacant by reason of non-election, death, resignation, removal of residence from the ward or City represented or from any other cause whatsoever, except when the vacancy is caused by a recall election, such vacancy shall be filled by the Council for the unexpired term. (Amended 11-4-69)
Immediately after the proclamation by the Secretary of State stating the population of the cities of Ohio, as determined by the Federal census decennially taken, the Council shall redivide the City into wards upon the basis of one ward for each seven thousand (7,000) population or major portion thereof. Wards so formed shall be as nearly equal in population as may be composed of contiguous and compact territory, and bounded by natural boundaries or street lines. When any territory is annexed to the City the Council shall by ordinances declare it a part of the adjacent ward or wards. But if the highest vote cast in any such annexed territory at the last preceding regular election for any State, County or Municipal office exceeded two thousand (2, 000) then such annexed territory shall become and remain a separate ward or wards, entitled to elect one Councilman for each ward having a population of approximately seven thousand (7, 000) persons, until the City is next redivided into wards. If there is any territory within the City of Lima not assigned to or included in any ward, then the Council shall by ordinance declare such territory a part of the adjacent ward or wards. Persons who are incarcerated in any penal institution within the city shall not be counted as part of the population of the city for purposes of dividing the city into wards pursuant to this section. (Amended 5-7-13)
Members of Council shall hold the residency and qualifications set forth in Section 72 of this Charter. A member of Council who fails to maintain such residency and qualifications shall forfeit the office. Members of the Council shall not hold any other public office, except that of notary public, or member of the State militia or Federal military reserves, and shall not be directly or indirectly interested in the profits or emoluments of any contract, job, work or service of the Municipality. Any such contract in which any member is or may become interested, may be declared void by the Council. No member of the Council shall, except insofar as is necessary in the performance of the duties of the office, directly or indirectly interfere in the conduct of an administrative department or directly or indirectly take any part in the appointment, promotion, or dismissal of any officer or employee in the service of the City other than the officers or employees appointed by the Council. (Amended 11-6-84; 5-7-13)
The salaries of the members of the Council first elected under this Charter shall be three hundred ($300) dollars per year, except the Council President who shall receive seven hundred fifty ($750) dollars per year; provided, however, that the adoption of this amendment shall not be construed as changing the salaries of the present members of Council. Thereafter the Council may, by ordinance passed in any even numbered year, change the salary of members of the Council thereafter elected. The salary of a member of the Council shall be paid in equal monthly installments.
For each absence of a member from regular meetings of the Council, unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of all members thereof, there shall be deducted a sum equal to two percent (2%) of the annual salary of each member. Absence from ten (10) consecutive regular meetings shall operate to vacate the seat of a member unless such absence be authorized by the Council. (Amended 11-6-62)
On the first Monday in January following a regular Municipal election, unless such Monday shall fall on a legal holiday, the Council shall meet at the usual place for holding meetings and at a time established by the Council, at which time the newly-elected members of the Council shall assume the duties of their offices. Should the first Monday in January fall on a legal holiday, then such meeting shall take place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January following a regular Municipal election. Thereafter the Council shall meet at such times as may be prescribed by Council. The Mayor, the President of the Council, or any three (3) members thereof may call special meetings of the Council upon at least twelve (12) hours notice to each member of the Council, served in the manner prescribed by Council, unless a waiver of such notice is given in writing and filed with the Clerk of the Council. Any such notice shall state the subjects to be considered at the meeting and no other subject shall be there considered. (Amended 5-4-10)
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