Section 2.08 City clerk.

   The city council shall appoint an officer of the city who shall have the title of city clerk. The city clerk shall give notice of council meetings to its members and the public, keep the minutes of its proceedings and perform such other duties as are assigned by this charter or by the council or by state law.

Section 2.09 Investigations.

   The city council may make investigations into the affairs of the city and the conduct of any city department, office, or agency and for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and require the production of evidence. Failure or refusal to obey a lawful order issued in the exercise of these powers by the council shall be a violation and punishable as provided in state law.

Section 2.10 Independent audit.

   The city council shall provide for an independent annual audit of all city accounts and may provide for more frequent audits as it deems necessary. Such audits shall be made by a certified public accountant or firm of such accountants who have no personal interest, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs of the city government or any of its officers. The council may, without requiring competitive bids, designate such accountant or firm annually or for a period not exceeding three years, but the designation for any particular fiscal year shall be made no later than 120 days before the expiration of such fiscal year. If the state makes such an audit, the council may accept it as satisfying the requirements of this section.

(4-11-00, § B)

Section 2.11 Procedure.

   (a)   Meetings. The council shall meet regularly at least once in every month at such times and places as the council may prescribe by rule. If the council meets more than once a month, it may designate which meeting is the regular monthly meeting. If they don’t so designate one, the first meeting of the month is the regular monthly meeting. Special meetings may be held on the call of the mayor or of six (6) or more members and, whenever practicable, upon no less than twelve hours notice to each member. All meetings shall be public, except as allowed by state law.

   (b)   Rules and journal. The city council shall determine its own rules and order of business and shall provide for keeping of an accurate journal of its proceedings. This journal shall be a public record.

   (c)   Voting. Voting, except on procedural motions, shall be by roll call and the ayes and nays shall be recorded in the journal. Five (5) members of the council shall constitute a quorum, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in the manner and subject to the penalties prescribed by the rules of the council. Each council member shall have an equal vote; the mayor shall only vote as necessary to break a tie. All actions of the council shall be by a majority of those present, except no ordinances or any action calling for the expenditure of money in excess of the state bids limits for municipalities or filling of vacancies as set forth in section 2.06 shall be valid or binding unless adopted by the affirmative vote of five (5) or more members of the council.

Section 2.12 Action requiring an ordinance.

   In addition to other acts required by law or by specific provision of this charter to be done by ordinance, those acts of the city council shall be by ordinance which:

      (1)   Adopt or amend an administrative code or establish, alter, or abolish any city department, office, or agency;

      (2)   Provide for a fine or other penalty or establish a rule or regulation for violation of which a fine or other penalty is imposed;

      (3)   Levy taxes, or impose or increase fees;

      (4)   Grant, renew, or extend a franchise;

      (5)   Regulate the rate charged for its services as a public utility;

      (6)   Authorize the borrowing of money;

      (7)   Convey or lease or authorize the conveyance or lease for a period of longer than one (1) year of any real property of the city;

      (8)   Regulate land use and development;

      (9)   Actions to establish the conduct of elections; and

      (10)   Amend or repeal any ordinance previously adopted.

   Acts other than those referred to in the preceding sentence may be done either by ordinance or by resolution.

(Ref. of 5-7-96)

Section 2.13 Ordinances in general.

   City ordinances shall be introduced, published, enacted, recorded, and codified as provided in state law; however, the city council may by ordinance amend such requirements.

Section 2.14 Updating the Code of Ordinances.

   The Code of Ordinances must be updated at least every twenty years, pursuant to the provisions of state law.

(4-12-16, § C)