(a) When the Mayor or a member of Council has reason to believe that the Building and Zoning Inspector has been guilty, in the performance of his official duty, of bribery, misfeasance, malfeasance, misconduct in office, gross neglect of duty, gross immorality or habitual drunkenness, either may file with Council, written charges against such Inspector, setting forth in detail a statement of such alleged guilt, and, at the same time, or as soon thereafter as possible, serve a true copy of such charges upon the person against whom they are made. Such service may be directly to the person or by leaving a copy of the charges at the office of such person. Return thereof, shall be made to Council as is provided for the return of the service of summons in a civil action. Such charges shall be heard at the next regular meeting of Council unless Council extends the time for hearing, which shall be done only upon the application of the accused. The accused may appear in person and by counsel, examine all witnesses, and answer all charges against him. The judgment or action of Council shall be final, but the votes of two-thirds of all members elected thereto shall be required to remove such officer. Pending any proceedings hereunder, the accused may be suspended by a majority vote of all members elected to Council, for a period of not longer than fifteen days, unless the hearing of the charges is extended upon the application of the accused, in which event the suspension shall not exceed thirty days.
(b) For the purpose of investigating charges filed hereunder, Council may issue subpoenas or compulsory process to compel the attendance of persons and the production of books and papers before it. Where the attendance of witnesses may be compelled for such investigation, any member of Council may administer the requisite oaths, and Council has the same power to compel the giving of testimony by attending witnesses as is conferred upon courts. In every case the witnesses shall be entitled to the privileges, immunities and compensation as allowed witnesses in civil cases, and the costs of all proceedings shall be payable from the General Fund of the Village. (Ord. 797. Passed 10-24-56.)