Section 30. Council member shall not interfere with Administration.

   Except insofar as is necessary in the performance of the duties of his or her office, no member of the Council shall interfere, directly or indirectly, with the conduct of the administration or directly or indirectly take any part in the appointment, promotion, or dismissal of any officer or employee in the service of the City other than the officers or employees of the Council and except insofar as Council confirmation is necessary to fill a position as required by this Charter. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the members of Council shall deal solely through the Mayor regarding the administration.

(Amended by electors 11-3-92)

Section 31. Salary and Attendance of Council Members.

   The salary of the Council shall be fixed by Ordinance. The salary of Council shall not be increased or decreased during their term in office. Any ordinance establishing the salary for the Council shall be enacted by June 1 of the year prior to commencement of the term of the member of Council. Any other provision of this Charter notwithstanding, by January 30, 2001 and every fourth January thereafter a seven-member commission to review the salaries of Mayor and Council shall be created by ordinance of Council. This commission shall make salary recommendations to the Council by April 1 of that year. Any recommendation from this commission must be made by an affirmative vote of at least a four-member majority of the seven-member commission. No Ordinance granting a salary increase shall be enacted prior to receiving a report by the Commission.

   For each absence of a member from regular meetings of the Council, unless excused by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of all the members thereof, there shall be deducted a sum equal to two percent (2%) of his or her annual salary. For each absence of a member from regular meetings of any Council committee of which he or she is a member made up entirely of members of Council, unless excused by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the Council, there shall be deducted a sum equal to one percent (1%) of his or her annual salary. A member of Council who shall be absent from ten (10) consecutive regular meetings of the Council, or from ten (10) consecutive meetings of any specific committee of which he or she is a member made up entirely of members of Council, shall operate to vacate the seat of the member, unless such absence be authorized by a majority vote of Council.

(Amended by electors 11-7-00)

Section 32. Meetings of Council.

   At five-thirty o'clock p.m. on the first business day of January following a regular City election, the Council shall meet at the usual place for holding meetings, at which time the newly elected Council members and the Mayor shall assume the duties of their respective offices. Thereafter, the Council shall meet at such times as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution. The President of Council, or any seven (7) members thereof may call special meetings upon at least twenty-four (24) hours written notice to each member and the Mayor, served personally on each or left at such member's usual place of residence. Such notice shall state the subjects to be considered at the meeting, and no other subject shall be then considered.

   All meetings of the Council or committees thereof shall be conducted in accordance with the open public meeting laws of the State of Ohio. The Clerk of Council shall make all minutes and records of all meetings of Council accessible to any citizen at reasonable times.

(Amended by electors 11-3-92)

Section 32A. President of Council.

   At the organizational meeting on the first business day of January following each regular City election, the Council shall elect one of its members as President who shall serve as President at the pleasure of Council. The President shall preside at meetings of the Council, perform such duties as presiding officer as may be conferred upon him or her by Council, and shall prepare the agenda for the meetings of Council in consultation with the Mayor, or the Mayor's designated representative, and with the Clerk of Council. In the event of the death, removal, or resignation of the President of Council, the Council shall elect one of its members to fill the vacancy. If the President is temporarily disabled from performing the duties of President for any cause, the Council shall elect a President pro tempore to act during such disability.

(Amended by electors 11-7-00)

Section 33. Officers and employees.

   The Council shall choose a Clerk and such other officers as are necessary, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. The Clerk and employees shall hold over until the new Council is organized.

Section 34. Duties of Clerk.

   The Clerk shall attend the Council as its secretary, shall keep its records, and make an annual report giving a summary of its proceedings, and shall perform such other duties as are given him or her by this Charter or which may be prescribed by ordinance.

(Amended by electors 11-7-00)

Section 35. Rules.

   The Council shall determine its own rules and order of business, and shall keep a journal of its proceedings. It may punish or expel any member for disorderly conduct or violation of its rules No expulsion shall take place without the concurrence of two-thirds of all members elected, nor until the delinquent member shall have been notified of the charge against him or her, and shall have been given an opportunity to be heard.

(Amended by electors 11-7-00)