SECTION 2.01 NUMBER, SELECTION AND TERM.

   The City Council shall consist of seven members, elected at large, for four year overlapping terms. Except as provided in Section 2.03, all members of Council shall be elected to a full term of office. All elections of Council members shall be on a non-partisan ballot.

SECTION 2.02 QUALIFICATIONS.

   Any qualified elector who has lived in the municipality for one year prior to filing a petition of candidacy shall be eligible to serve as a member of Council, when elected as hereinafter provided.

   The Council shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its own members. The seat of any member may be declared vacant by resolution of Council, five (5) members concurring.

   Council shall declare vacant a seat of any member for the following reasons:

   1.   One who persistently fails to abide by the rules of Council.

   2.   One who is absent without justifiable excuses for three (3) consecutive regular meetings.

   3.   One who shall cease to be a qualified elector and resident of the municipality as required by the Charter unless special circumstances have been approved by five (5) members of Council concurring.

   4.   One who enters upon the performance of the duties of an incompatible public office.

   5.   One who shall hold any appointed office or employment with the municipality for which compensation is authorized.

   6.   One who shall violate any expressed provisions of this Charter.

   7.   One who shall be convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or any felony.

   8.   One who shall be convicted of any other provision of the State laws as applicable to public officials for which the penalty includes forfeiture of office.

SECTION 2.03 VACANCIES, FILLING OF.

   Vacancies in the office of Council members shall be filled within thirty (30) days by vote of a majority of the remaining members of Council, by the selection of a qualified elector who has resided in the municipality for at least one year immediately preceding such appointment. If Council fails to make this selection within thirty (30) days, the Mayor shall make the appointment. Such person so chosen shall serve until the next regular City Council election, occurring not less than 100 days after selection. At such election, a successor shall be elected to serve for the unexpired term, if any; if not, for a full term.

SECTION 2.04 TERM OF OFFICE.

   The term of office of Council members shall begin on the third Monday following the regular City Council election. City Council election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the odd numbered years. No member of Council shall serve more than two consecutive terms.

SECTION 2.05 SALARY.

   The salary of Council members, other than the Mayor, shall be at a rate established by Council, until changed by ordinance adopted by Council. No increase in salary shall ever take effect during the term of a Council member in office at the time the ordinance is adopted.

SECTION 2.06 ORGANIZATION AND MEETINGS.

   Following each municipal election Council shall meet within five days after the beginning of the term of office of the newly-elected members of Council for the purpose of organizing. At such meeting, the newly-elected members of Council shall take the oath of office and the Council shall proceed to elect a Mayor and a Vice-Mayor and may transact such other business as may come before it. Thereafter, regular or special meetings shall be held as prescribed in the Council rules, and regular meetings shall occur not less frequently than once each month. All meetings of Council and its Boards and Commissions shall be open to the public except Executive Sessions as provided for by Ohio statute. A majority of the members elected shall constitute a quorum at all meetings.    

SECTION 2.07 MAYOR AND VICE-MAYOR.

   The Council shall select biennially from among its own members one to serve as Mayor and one as Vice-Mayor for a term of two years and until their successors are chosen and qualified. The Mayor shall preside at Council meetings, when present, and shall have a vote on all matters which come before Council, but shall exercise no administrative authority. The Mayor shall be the ceremonial head of the municipality, but shall exercise no administrative authority. The Vice-Mayor shall preside over the meetings of the Council when the Mayor is absent and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by Ordinance.

SECTION 2.08 SALARY OF MAYOR.

   The Mayor shall be paid a salary at a rate established by Council, until changed by ordinance adopted by Council. No increase in salary shall ever take place during the term of the Mayor in office at the time the ordinance is adopted.

SECTION 2.09 CLERK OF COUNCIL.

   There shall be a Clerk of Council, elected by vote of majority of the members of Council from outside its membership, to serve until a successor is chosen and enters upon the duties of the Clerk's office. The Clerk may be appointed to serve full time or part time and the Council may assign the duties of the Clerk of Council to any employee of the Municipality as an additional duty. The Clerk shall give notice of Council meetings, keep the journal, advertise public hearings, record in separate books all ordinances and resolutions enacted by Council and have the same published in the manner provided by this Charter. The Clerk shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by this Charter or by ordinance.