(A) Establishment of Commission. There shall be a Civil Service Commission consisting of three (3) members each of whom shall be a resident and qualified elector of the City. Each member shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to approval by Council: one (1) for a term of two (2) years, one (1) for a term of four (4) years, and one (1) for a term of six (6) years. Each alternate year thereafter, the Mayor shall appoint one (1) person, as successor of the member whose term expires, to serve a term of six (6) years, subject to approval by Council. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term. The Mayor, at any time, may remove any member from office for misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance in office, or other cause, subject to approval by Council. No more than two (2) members shall be from the same political party.
(B) Duties. The Civil Service Commission shall have those powers and perform those duties as provided by the laws of Ohio, except as otherwise provided by this Charter or, where not so otherwise provided by this Charter, then, as Council may provide otherwise by ordinance or resolution.
(C) Administrative Rules. The Civil Service Commission may adopt administrative rules pertaining to civil service, subject to approval by ordinance or resolution of Council.
(D) Classification of Employees. When not otherwise established in this Charter, Council may determine that certain positions and employees in the civil service of the City are classified and that others are unclassified; nevertheless, at minimum, the department heads of the police department and fire department (ie. chief of each department) shall be subject to civil service review for suspension in excess of five (5) days and/or dismissal.
(E) Educational Prerequisites and Credit. Notwithstanding Ohio Revised Code Section 124.22 or any other provision of the laws of Ohio, the Civil Service Commission may establish specific educational requirements as prerequisites for examinations for positions under its jurisdiction, or for certification of persons for appointment to such positions. The Civil Service Commission may grant educational credit in an amount and under conditions deemed appropriate
by the Civil Service Commission, when determining the relative merit and fitness of candidates for original appointment to positions under its jurisdiction. However, such amount must be established in advance of any affected examination, and no educational credit shall be added to an applicant's examination grade unless the applicant achieves at least the minimum passing grade on the examination without counting credit for education.
(F) Veteran's Service Credit. Notwithstanding Ohio Revised Code Section 124.23 or any other provision of the laws of Ohio, the Civil Service Commission may grant veteran's service credit in an amount and under conditions deemed appropriate by the Civil Service Commission, when determining the relative merit and fitness of candidates for original appointment to positions under its jurisdiction. However, such amount must be established in advance of any affected examination, and no veteran's service credit shall be added to an applicant's examination grade unless the applicant achieves at least the minimum passing grade on the examination without counting credit for veteran's service.
(G) Examination Police and Fire Chiefs - General. Notwithstanding Ohio Revised Code Sections 124.31, 124.44, 124.45, or any other provision of the laws of Ohio, in order to avail the City of the best possible candidates, the Council, by ordinance or resolution, may require the Civil Service Commission to examine, rank, and certify for appointment persons to the positions of chief of police and fire chief regardless of prior service with the City and without regard to any time-in-rank requirements that might otherwise restrict the field of candidates under the laws of Ohio. In such case, no extra credit for seniority or efficiency shall be added to the score of any candidate for either of those two (2) positions, without prior approval of Council, as that would disadvantage qualified persons who have not previously been employed by the City.
(H) Method of Examination for Police and Fire Chief. Examinations for the positions of police chief or fire chief may include written examination, oral examination, performance examination, evaluation of experience, practical demonstrations of skills, and/or such other forms of examination as the Civil Service Commission deems appropriate.
(I) Exempt From Service. Except as otherwise provided herein, to the extent permitted by law, exempt from the services of the City Civil Service Commission are the City health district and employees thereof, if any, and the City school district and employees thereof. Such services may only be acquired through a contract between the entity desiring the service and the City, when so approved by Council.
(J) Local Code to Prevail. To the extent permitted by law, the Council may, by ordinance or resolution, or through the approval of an administrative civil service code by ordinance or resolution, supersede and/or replace any or all of the laws of Ohio pertaining to civil service, including but not limited to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 124 and any or all of this state's administrative code, so long as not in conflict with the Constitution of Ohio and/or this Charter.