CHARTER

OF THE CITY OF

WILLOUGHBY HILLS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   EDITOR’S NOTE: The Willoughby Hills Charter was approved by the voters at a special election on September 15, 1970. Dates appearing in parentheses following section headings indicate that those provisions were subsequently amended, added or repealed on the date given.

PREAMBLE

ARTICLE I THE MUNICIPALITY

Section 1.1   The Name.

Section 1.2   Boundaries.

Section 1.3   Form of Government.

Section 1.4   Powers of Government. (11-8-88)

Section 1.5   Indemnification. (11-2-21)

ARTICLE II THE MAYOR

Section 2.1   The Office.

            2.11    Description of the Office.

            2.12    Term of Office. (11-6-90)

            2.13    Qualifications. (11-4-75)

            2.14    Salary.

Section 2.2   Duties and Responsibilities.

            2.21    Appointments to Office and Removals from Office. (11-4-08; 11-2-21)

            2.22    Council Meetings. (11-4-08)

            2.23    Veto Power. (11-4-08)

            2.24    Annual Budget. (11-2-21)

            2.25    Budget Message.

            2.26    Annual Appropriation.

            2.27    Salary Recommendations.

Section 2.3   Vacancy of Office. (11-4-08)

Section 2.4   Acting Mayor. (11-3-98)

ARTICLE III THE COUNCIL

Section 3.1   Composition.

            3.11    Number, Manner of Election. (7-8-75)

            3.12    Voting Districts. (11-4-08)

            3.12.1    Councilmen-at-large. (11-7-00)

            3.13    Term of Office. (11-7-00)

            3.14    Qualifications. (11-4-75)

            3.15    Removal from Office.

Section 3.2   Organization.

            3.21    Presiding Officers. (7-8-75)

            3.22    Election of Presiding Officers. (11-2-82)

            3.23    Organizational Meeting. (11-4-08)

            3.24    Vacancies in the Council. (11-2-82; 11-2-21)

            3.25    The Clerk and Other Employees. (7-8-75)

Section 3.3   Powers, Duties and Responsibilities.

            3.31    Powers. (11-2-82)

            3.32    Fixing of Salaries.

            3.33    Meetings. (11-8-88)

            3.34    Rules.

            3.35    Instruction of New Members.

            3.36    Adoption of a Master Plan.

ARTICLE IV ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS

Section 4.1      The Department of Public Safety.

            4.11    The Director of Public Safety. (11-2-82)

            4.12    Duties and Responsibilities.

Section 4.21      The Director of Finance.

            4.22    Duties and Responsibilities.

            4.23    General Matters.

Section 4.3      The Department of Law.

            4.31    The Law Director.

            4.32    Duties and Responsibilities.

Section 4.4   The Department of Public Service.

            4.41    The Director of Public Service. (11-2-82)

            4.42    Duties and Responsibilities.

Section 4.5   Consolidation of Departments. (11-4-08 )

ARTICLE V BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Section 5.1   Planning and Zoning Commission.

            5.11    Composition.

            5.12    Duties and Responsibilities.

            5.13    The Master Plan.

            5.14    Updating Zoning Code. (11-2-82)

            5.15    Mandatory Public Vote on Land Use Changes. (11-5-96)

Section 5.2   Architectural Board of Review.

            5.21    Composition.

            5.22    Employment of Architect Consultants.

            5.23    Purposes of the Board.

            5.24    Review of Plans and Specifications.

            5.25    Finality of Decisions.

Section 5.3   Board of Building and Zoning Appeals.

              5.31    Composition.

              5.32    Duties and Responsibilities. (11-4-08)

              5.33    Finality of Decisions.

Section 5.4   Recreation Commission.

             5.41    Composition. (11-6-90)

            5.42    Duties and Responsibilities.

Section 5.5   Civil Service Commission.

              5.51    Composition.

            5.52    Duties and Responsibilities. (11-8-88; 11-3-15; 11-2-21)

Section 5.6   Charter Review Commissions.

             5.61    Composition. (11-3-15)

             5.62    Duties and Responsibilities. (11-6-90; 11-3-15)

Section 5.7   Compensation.

      Section 5.8   Records Commission

            5.81 Composition. (11-3-15)

            5.82   Duties and Responsibilities. (11-3-15)

ARTICLE VI LEGISLATION

Section 6.1   General Ordinances.

Section 6.2   Effective Date of Ordinances. (11-6-73)

Section 6.3   Emergency Ordinances. (11-4-75)

ARTICLE VII FISCAL MATTERS

Section 7.1   Fiscal Year.

Section 7.2   Voter Approval of Tax Levies. (11-4-08; 11-3-15)

Section 7.3   Voter Approval of Bond Issues.

Section 7.4   Prohibition of Excessive Income Tax. (11-2-10)

Section 7.5   Levy of Taxes for Fire and Emergency Medical Service. (11-2-82)

ARTICLE VIII THE ELECTORATE

Section 8.1   Qualifications of Electors.

Section 8.2   Powers of the Electorate.

            8.21    Nominations. (11-2-21)

            8.22    Initiative and Referendum Petitions.

             8.23    Recall. (11-2-82; 11-2-21)

Section 8.3   Procedures.

             8.31    Elections. (11-6-90; 11-2-21)

             8.32    Petitions. (11-4-08)

             8.33    Official Notice. (11-4-75; 11-3-15)

ARTICLE IX PERSONNEL

Section 9.1   Officers. (11-3-15)

Section 9.2   General Qualifications.

             9.21    For All Personnel. (11-3-15)

             9.22    For Officers. (11-3-15)

Section 9.3   Removal from Office.

            9.31    Removal by the Mayor. (11-4-08; 11-3-15; 11-2-21)

            9.32    Removal by Council. (11-3-15)

            9.33    Finality of Removals.

            9.34    Removal by Council of Mayor Appointees. (11-4-75; 11-3-15)

Section 9.4    Civil Service.

            9.41    Classified Service.

            9.42    Unclassified Service.

            9.43    Police Chief and Fire Chief. (11-4-08)

            9.44    Rules and Regulations.

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 10.1      Effective Date of Charter.

Section 10.2      Gender Neutrality. (11-4-08)

            10.21    Rights and Privileges Preserved. (11-4-08)

            10.22    Personnel System. (11-4-08)

            10.23    Continuance in Office. (11-4-08)

Section 10.3      Pending Matters.

Section 10.4      Charter Amendments. (11-4-75; 11-3-15)

CHARTER

OF THE CITY OF

WILLOUGHBY HILLS