(a) Vacancies. The office of a Council member shall become vacant upon the member’s death, resignation, removal from office or forfeiture of office in any manner authorized by law.
(b) Forfeiture of Office. A Council member shall forfeit that office if the Council member (1) lacks at any time during the term of the office for which elected any qualification for the office prescribed by this Charter or by law, or (2) while holding such office is convicted of treason, felony, or bribery in any election.
(c) Removal from Office. A Council member shall be subject to removal from office in the manner provided for the removal of municipal officers in section seven, article six, chapter six of the official Code of West Virginia, as amended, if the Council member (1) violates any express prohibition of this Charter, (2) is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or (3) fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Council without being excused by the Council.
(d) Filling of Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs in the City Council, the Council by a majority vote of all its remaining members shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. An individual who has forfeited the office of member of the City Council cannot be reappointed to complete the unexpired term. The appointee will remain in office until the person elected to serve the remainder of the unexpired term takes office. This person will be elected at the regular municipal election following the date the vacancy occurred. If the vacancy occurs less than 60 days prior to the next municipal election, the appointee will remain in the office the remainder of the unexpired term of the Council member. If the Council fails to appoint someone to fill the vacancy within 45 days, then of the unsuccessful candidates for the office of member of Council at the last election, who are still qualified and willing to serve, the one who received more votes than any of the others shall be entitled to the office. A special election shall be held within 40 days, following all other efforts to fill a Council vacancy, if those efforts are unsuccessful in filling the vacancy with a qualified replacement. If a special election does not fill the vacancy, then the Mayor shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy.
(e) Appointments and/or Elections. Appointments and/or elections to fill any vacancy on Council shall be done in such a manner to keep intact the respective ward and at-large representation of the electorate.