SECTION 7. REMOVAL.

   The Council shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its own members. Council may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the other members of Council, expel or remove any member for gross misconduct, malfeasance, nonfeasance, misfeasance in or disqualification for office; for violation of his oath of office; for the conviction while in office of a felony; for the persistent failure to abide by the rules of Council; or for absence without justifiable excuse from three consecutive regular meetings. Prior to any such action by Council, the accused member shall be notified in writing of the charge against him at least ten (10) days in advance of any hearing upon such charge, and he and his counsel shall be given an opportunity to be heard, present evidence and examine any witness appearing in support of such charge.

(Amended 11-2-04)

SECTION 8. VACANCIES.

   Vacancies in Council shall be filled for the unexpired term by an appointment made by a majority vote of all remaining members of Council. Such appointment shall be made within thirty (30) days after the next regular meeting following receipt of official notification by Council of such vacancy. If Council fails to fill the vacancy within said thirty (30) day period the Mayor shall make the appointment.

   A Councilman appointed to office to fill an unexpired term by either the Council or the Mayor shall for the purposes of this Charter be deemed to be elected to Council.
(Amended 11-2- 71.)

SECTION 9. CLERK AND OTHER EMPLOYEES.

   Council may by ordinance provide for the appointment by its members of a Clerk of its own body, fix the terms and conditions of office of such Clerk and the compensation and qualifications therefor. Council may employ any other employees it may deem necessary for the proper discharge of its duties. Any person employed by the Council may also be an appointed official or an employee of the Municipality. Any person employed by the Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Council.
(Amended 11- 7-72.)

SECTION 10. MEETINGS.

   (a)    Regular Meetings. The Council shall meet the first and third Mondays of each calendar month at such time as may be prescribed by ordinance, or if such day be a holiday, on the first workday following except during periods when Council has voted to be in recess. Prior to or during its first regular meeting in January following a regular Municipal election, the Council shall convene and organize.

   (b)   Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Mayor or any three members of Council. There shall be given at least twenty-four hours notice in writing of such special meeting, served personally on each member of Council or at his or her usual place of residence. Such notice shall state the subject or subjects to be considered at the meeting and no other subject shall be considered prior to the disposition of those for which such meeting was called.

   (c)   Compel Attendance. The attendance of two-thirds of the members elected to Council at any special meeting of the Council shall be considered as a wavier of notice required by the preceding subsection, and in such event, the meeting may proceed as a duly called special meeting.

   (d)   Emergency Meetings. Emergency meetings may be called by the Mayor or President of Council without twenty-four (24) hours notice in writing.
(Amended 11-6-18)

SECTION 11. QUORUM.

   A majority of the members of Council shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a less number may adjourn from time to time and compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution. The Council shall adopt its own rules, regulations, and/or by-laws.

SECTION 12. PROCEDURE.

   All legislative action shall be by ordinance or resolution except when otherwise required by the Constitution or the laws of the State of Ohio. The Council shall keep a journal of its proceedings which shall be a public record. The vote shall be taken by ayes and nays, which shall be entered upon the journal; and no ordinance or resolution shall be passed without the concurrence of a majority of the members elected to Council. The Council, through passage of an Ordinance, may establish a consent agenda. Every ordinance or resolution shall be read or read by title on three different days unless two-thirds (2/3) of the members elected to Council dispense with the rule. All ordinances, resolutions, statements, orders, proclamations, notices and reports required by law, by this Charter or by ordinance to be posted, shall be posted on the website of the municipality and in public places in the Municipality, as determined by Council, for a period of not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the taking effect thereof, subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 13 hereof, or in such other manner as Council may hereafter determine by ordinance, resolution or order.

(Amended 11-2-04; 11-7-23.)

SECTION 13. EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.

   Each ordinance or resolution providing for the appropriation of money, or for an annual tax levy, or for improvements petitioned for by the owners of a majority of the foot frontage of the property to be benefitted and specially assessed therefor, and any emergency ordinance or resolution necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety shall take effect, unless a later time be specified therein, upon its approval by the Mayor, or upon its passage after disapproval by the Mayor, as the case may be. No other ordinance or resolution shall go into effect earlier than thirty (30) days after its final passage by the Council. Each emergency measure shall contain a statement of the necessity for such emergency action and shall require the affirmative vote of five (5) members of Council for its enactment. No action of the Council authorizing any change in the boundaries of the Municipality or the surrender or joint exercise of any of its powers, or granting, renewing or extending any franchise or other special privilege, or contracting for the supply to the Municipality or its inhabitants of the product or service of any utility whether municipally owned or not, or regulating the rate to be charged for its services shall be designated an emergency measure.