SECTION 1. Executive and Administrative Powers. The executive and administrative powers of the City shall be vested in the Mayor, directors of departments and other administrative officers provided for in this Charter or by ordinance.
(11-7-2023.)
SECTION 3. Vacancy. When the Mayor is absent and inaccessible, or is unable for any cause to perform the duties of that office, the Vice Mayor shall be acting Mayor, but shall not thereby cease to be a Councilmember. In case of the Mayor’s death, resignation or removal, other than by recall election, or disqualification for the office, the Vice-Mayor shall vacate the office of Councilmember and shall become Mayor to serve the unexpired term or until a successor for the unexpired term is elected and qualified.
A successor shall be elected at the next regular municipal election provided that:
1. Such election occurs more than two (2) years prior to the expiration of the unexpired term; and
2. The vacancy occurs more than seventy-five (75) days prior to such election.
A Vice-Mayor, who has become Mayor, may be a candidate to succeed to the office for the unexpired term.
(11-6-1979; 11-7-2023.)
SECTION 4. General Powers and Duties.
A. Judicial. The Mayor shall have all the judicial powers granted by the general laws of Ohio to mayors of cities, unless and until other lawful provisions shall be made for the exercise of such powers.
B. Legislative. The Mayor and directors of all departments established by this Charter, or by ordinance, also shall be entitled to seats in the Council. Neither the Mayor nor any director of any department shall have a vote in the Council, but the Mayor shall have the right to introduce ordinances and to take part in the discussion of all matters coming before the Council; and the directors of departments shall be entitled to take part in all discussions in the Council relating to their respective departments.
C. Executive. The Mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the City, shall supervise the administration of the City's affairs, and shall exercise control over all departments and divisions except those reserved to Council or its officers and employees by this Charter. The Mayor shall be the chief conservator of the peace within the City and shall see that all laws and ordinances are enforced therein. The Mayor shall be responsible for the preparation and submission to the Council of the annual estimate of receipts and expenditures, and appropriation measure, and shall at all times keep the Council fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the City. The Mayor shall recommend to the Council such measures that are necessary or expedient. The Mayor shall see that all terms and conditions imposed in favor of this City or its inhabitants in any franchise or contract to which this City is a party are faithfully kept and performed.
The Mayor shall appoint all officers and employees of the City, except members, officers and employees of the Council, judges, Clerk of Council and the Director of Law and their assistants. All persons appointed by the Mayor, except those whose terms of office are fixed by this Charter or by law, may be promoted, transferred, reduced or removed by the Mayor, subject however, to the Civil Service provisions of this Charter. The foregoing appointive powers of the Mayor may be delegated by the Mayor to the directors of any department or to the heads of any divisions with respect to the officers or employees in the classified service within their respective departments or divisions.
The Mayor shall execute on behalf of the City all contracts, conveyances, evidences of indebtedness and all other instruments to which the City is a party.
The Mayor shall be recognized as the official and ceremonial head of the City government, by the governor for military purposes, and by the courts for the purpose of serving civil processes.
(11-6-1979; 11-7-2023.)