(a) General Powers. All legislative powers of the Municipality shall be vested in Council, except as otherwise provided by law or this Charter. Council shall have the power to confirm or reject the appointment or removal of directors of departments established by Charter in Section 9.01 and members of boards or commissions established by Charter, in accordance with Section 4.03 of the Charter. (Amended 11-8-16.)
(b) Fill Vacancies in Council. Any vacancies in Council shall be filled by the remaining members of Council as outlined in Section 6.05 of this Charter. If Council fails to fill the vacancy within thirty (30) days, this power of Council shall terminate and the Mayor shall fill the vacancy by appointment which shall not require Council confirmation.
(c) Contracts. All contracts require the authority of Council for their execution and shall be entered into and enforced by the Mayor.
(d) Investigations. Council may make investigations into the affairs of the Municipality and the conduct of any municipal department, office, or agency and for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and require the production of evidence. Any person who fails or refuses to obey a lawful order issued in the exercise of these powers by Council shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The penalty for the commission of such a misdemeanor shall be determined by an ordinance of Council; an ordinance establishing the penalty shall be enacted within one (1) year of the effective date of this Charter.
(e) Zoning Ordinance. Council shall adopt and shall at all times maintain a comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for the Municipality.
(f) Salaries of Elected Municipal Officials. No later than ninety (90) days before the final date for the filing of the nominating petitions for elected municipal officers, Council shall, by ordinance, determine the salary to be paid to elected municipal officials during the next two (2) calendar years commencing January 1st. Council may require a bond for the faithful discharge of the duties of any or all such elected officials, provided that the premium for such bond is paid by the Municipality.
(g) Salaries of Municipal Employees, Appointees, and Non-Elected Officials. Council shall have the power to fix the salaries of municipal employees, appointees, and other non-elected officials. All such salaries shall be fixed by ordinance. Once Council appropriates the funds for salaries, wages, and benefits for City employees, no further action is required by Council and the Director of Finance is authorized to issue payments consistent with the Council approved appropriations. Council may require a bond for the faithful discharge of the duties of any such employee, appointee, or non-elected officials, provided that the premium for such bond is paid by the Municipality. (Amended 11-8-16.)
(h) Employees of Council. Council may choose such employees of its own as it shall deem necessary. All employees chosen by Council shall serve at the pleasure of Council.
(i) General Powers, Duties, and Obligations. Council shall have, in addition to any powers, duties, or obligations set forth in this Charter, any additional powers, duties, or obligations, except as may be in conflict with this Charter, as are set forth in the general laws and the Constitution of the State of Ohio.
(j) Wards. Council may adjust ward boundaries if population shifts merit the change, but shall do so according to Section 731.06 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(k) Code of Ethics. Council shall adopt an ordinance establishing a Code of Ethics for all appointed and elected officials and all employees of the Municipality. This ordinance shall include a conflict-of-interest section.