SECTION 25 . CONTINUATION OF DEPARTMENTS.

   The existing departments, commissions, boards and other branches of the City government are continued, unless changed by the provisions of this Charter or by ordinance of the Council. Except as established by the provisions of this Charter, the Council may change, abolish, combine and rearrange the departments, commissions, boards and other branches of the city government provided for in the administrative code, but an ordinance creating, combining, abolishing or decreasing the powers of any department, commission, board or other branch, shall require a vote of a majority plus one of the members elected to the Council.

SECTION 26 . APPOINTMENTS.

   As provided elsewhere in this Charter or by law, Council shall appoint the City Manager, Traffic Commission, Municipal Parking Authority, Municipal Auditorium Board, Hall of Fame Board, Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority, Centre Market Commission and Sign Board of Appeals; the Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council, shall appoint the Vice Mayor, Director of Finance, City Clerk, Recreation Commission, Municipal Civil Service Commission, Human Rights Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals; the Mayor shall appoint the members of the Development Committee and the other committees of Council, and the Mayor's Advisory Commission on Economic and Industrial Development; the City Manager shall appoint the Assistant City Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Personnel Director, Licensing Officer, City Solicitor (who shall appoint the Assistant City Solicitors), Director of Development, City Engineer, Public Works Director, Director of Development, Director of Communications, Municipal Court Judge (who shall appoint the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of Municipal Court) and Temporary Judge, the Building Codes Board of Appeals and the Historic Landmarks Commission; the City Manager shall appoint the Planning Commission, to be confirmed by Council; the City Manager, FOP Local and Wheeling Chamber of Commerce shall appoint the Police Civil Service Commission; the City Manager, IAFF Local and Wheeling Chamber of Commerce shall appoint the Fire Civil Service Commission; and the City Manager and Wheeling Chamber of Commerce shall appoint the Wheeling Park Commission.

SECTION 27 . SELECTION, POWERS AND DUTIES OF MAYOR.

   There shall be a Mayor elected at large by the qualified voters of the City, as established by this Charter, who shall serve as a member and the presiding officer of the Council and who shall perform such other duties as provided by this Charter or by law.

SECTION 28 . DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE; MAYOR'S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

   The Mayor shall appoint and chair a committee of Council designated as the Development Committee, consisting of three members of Council, including the Mayor. The Development Committee shall consider and report to Council matters related to economic development, the use of public buildings and real estate, planning, zoning, housing and annexation.

   The Mayor shall appoint and chair the Mayor's Commission on Economic and Industrial Development, consisting of eleven members, including the Mayor, the other members of the Development Committee of Council, the City Manager, and seven additional members. The Commission shall provide advice on economic and industrial development.

SECTION 29 . SELECTION, POWERS AND DUTIES OF VICE-MAYOR.

   At the first meeting of Council in December 1992, and, thereafter, at the first meeting of Council in July following the regular municipal election, and at such other times as there may be a vacancy in the position, the Mayor shall appoint one of the members of Council as Vice-Mayor, subject to the approval of Council. The Vice-Mayor shall perform the duties of the Mayor during the Mayor's absence or disability. In the event of the death, removal or resignation of the Mayor, the Council shall choose one of its members as Mayor for the unexpired term. No additional compensation shall attach to the office of Vice-Mayor.