The electors shall have the power to remove from office by a recall election any elected officer of this Municipality. If an elected officer shall have served for 6 months of his/her term, a petition demanding his/her removal may be filed with the Clerk of Council who shall note thereon the name and address of the person filing the petition and the date of such filing.
Such petition shall be signed by qualified electors equal in number to at least 25% of the total votes cast at the last municipal general election for that office, except that in the case of a councilperson elected from a ward, such petition shall be signed by qualified electors equal in number to at least 25% of the electors voting at the last municipal general election in that ward.
Within 10 days after the day on which such petition shall have been filed, the Clerk shall determine whether or not it meets the requirements hereof. If the Clerk shall find the petition insufficient, he/she shall promptly certify the particulars to the person who filed the petition with him/her, and make a record of such delivery. Such person shall be allowed a period of 20 days after the date on which such delivery was made in which to make the petition sufficient. If the Clerk shall find the petition sufficient, he/she shall promptly so certify to the Council, shall deliver a copy of such certificate to the officer whose removal is sought, and shall make a record of such delivery.
If such officer shall not resign within 5 days after the day on which such delivery shall have been made, the Council shall thereupon fix a day for holding a recall election, not less than 60 days after the date of such delivery. Said recall election shall be set on a regular voting day--general, primary, or if a special election has been set. At such recall election this question shall be placed on the ballot: "Shall (naming the officer) be allowed to continue as (name of office)?" with provision on the ballot for voting affirmatively or negatively on such question. If a majority of the votes cast shall be voted negatively, such officer shall be considered as removed, his/her office shall be deemed vacant, and such vacancy shall be filled as provided in this Charter.
The officer removed by such recall election shall not be eligible for appointment to the vacancy created thereby.
(Amended 11-4-97)