City of Creve Coeur, MO Article IV Mayor

Section 4.1 Election — Term — Qualifications.

[Ord. No. 1129 §1(Props. 3, 4), 12-16-1985]

The mayor shall be elected by the qualified voters of the city at large at the regular municipal election. He or she shall hold office for a term of three (3) years. The mayor shall be a qualified voter of the city and shall have been a resident of the city for at least one (1) year prior to election. The terms a mayor may serve is limited to three (3) consecutive three (3) year terms. The mayor's three (3) year term of office shall commence at the first order of business of the city council after certification by the St. Louis County Election Commission.[1]

[1] Correct name is St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners.

Section 4.2 Compensation — Expenses.

[Ord. No. 5026 §2, 2-25-2008 (Eff. 5-1-2009); Ord. No. 5879, 2-26-2024(Eff. 5-1-2024)]

The mayor shall receive a salary of two hundred dollars ($200.00) per month[1] for his or her services. Every five (5) years after the effective date of this charter (beginning in 1981) the salary of the mayor shall be reviewed by the city council, which council may adjust the mayor's salary by ordinance.

This section shall not apply to increase any salary during a term of office; any increase shall become effective only as a new term begins.

[1] Pursuant to Ord. 5026 effective 5-1-09 mayor's salary is $600.00 per month; Subsequently and pursuant to Ord. 5879, effective 5-1-2024 mayor's salary is $750.00 per month.

Section 4.3 Vacancy — Forfeiture of Office — Filling of Vacancies.

[Ord. No. 1129 §1(Prop. 7), 12-16-1985; Ord. No. 4054 §1(Prop. 1), 12-11-2006]

The office of mayor shall be deemed vacant or forfeited for the same reason that the council member's office shall be deemed vacant or forfeited under Section 3.6(a) and 3.6(b) hereof. Whether a vacancy or forfeiture of the office of mayor exists shall be determined by a majority vote of the entire city council. If a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor, the president of the city council shall act as mayor under Section 3.4 until a mayor is elected at the next regular election. The president of the city council while serving as acting mayor shall receive the full salary of the mayor in lieu of, not in addition to, his or her salary as council member.

Section 4.4 Mayor's Powers and Duties.

[Ord. No. 1038 §1, 1-24-1983; Ord. No. 1129 §1(Prop. 7), 12-16-1985; Ord. No. 1564 §1(Prop. 1), 1-25-1993; Ord. No. 1684 §1(Prop. 3), 1-23-1995; Ord. No. 4055 §1(Prop. 2), 12-11-2006; Ord. No. 4056 §1(Prop. 3), 12-11-2006; Ord. No. 4057 §1(Prop. 4), 12-11-2006]

The mayor shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) He or she shall preside at meetings of the city council, but he or she shall have the right to vote only in case of a tie except as otherwise provided herein. He or she may call special meetings of the city council as provided in Section 3.11(a).

(b) He or she shall at the beginning of each fiscal year and may at any other time give the city council information as to the affairs of the city and any recommendations he or she may have.

(c) An ordinance adopted by the city council shall be presented to the mayor for his or her approval. The mayor shall either sign the same, or within seven (7) days of passage of the ordinance, return it with a written statement of his or her reasons for disapproval. Ordinances vetoed by the mayor shall not be considered before the second regular meeting of the city council, following the mayor's veto, and the council may pass the ordinance over the veto by an affirmative vote of at least six (6) members of the council. The effective date of an ordinance passed over the mayor's veto shall be the date of final passage unless otherwise provided therein.

(d) He or she shall see that all laws, provisions of the charter and acts of the city council subject to enforcement by him or her or by officer subject to his or her direction and supervision are faithfully executed.

(e) [Deleted]

(f) He or she shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this charter, by ordinance, or by law.

(g) He or she shall annually review the performance of the city administrator and report to the city council concerning the same.

(h) He or she shall have the responsibility of discussing with the city administrator any and all policy matters; however, he or she shall not interfere in the day-to-day administration of city affairs.

(i) Appointments to committees, boards, and commissions. Within 60 days prior to the expiration of the term of an appointed member of a committee, board or commission, or within 30 days after a vacancy in or creation of such a position, members of the city council, the mayor, and the members of the respective committee, board or commission may submit names to the city clerk for consideration by the nominating committee. A citizen may nominate him or herself by submitting his/her name to the city clerk. A nominating committee shall consider any such timely nominations together with any other persons it deems appropriate, provided that no person shall be considered unless they have submitted to the city clerk a personal background statement in the form prescribed by resolution of the city council. Except as otherwise provided below, the nominating committee shall consist of:

I. The mayor;

II. The president of the council; and

III. The chairperson of the respective committee, board or commission.

The mayor shall preside over nominating committee meetings, and the president of the council shall preside over same in the mayor's absence. The city clerk shall take minutes and act as secretary to such committees. If there are multiple positions to be considered at the same time for the same committee, board or commission, the nominating committee may address all or any of them at any particular meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if the position of the chair is that to be filled, then the vice-chair, or if none, a designate elected by a majority vote of that committee, board or commission shall serve on the nominating committee in the chairperson's place, and that nominating committee shall meet separately to consider that single appointment. Additionally, in the event of creation of a new committee, board or commission, the city council shall select one of its members to serve as the third member of the nominating committee for the initial chairperson of that new committee, board, or commission. Any member of a nominating committee can call a meeting on at least 72 hour advance written notice to the other members and the committee may otherwise meet at any time by consent of all members. If at least two members of a nominating committee are present at a duly called meeting, they may conduct business including scheduling additional meetings.

A nominating committee shall make its nomination within 30 days prior to the expiration of the term of an appointed member of a committee, board or commission, or within 45 days after a vacancy in or creation of such a position. A nomination shall be made by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the nominating committee. The mayor shall, within 14 days of such nomination, appoint the nominated individual. If such appointment is not timely made, the president of the council shall appoint the nominated individual within 14 days thereafter. The appointment by the mayor or the council president shall be made subject to the advice and consent of the majority of the city council. In the event a nominating committee fails to make a timely nomination, the mayor may proceed to make the appointment within 14 days of the expiration of the nominating committee's time to act without the guidance of the nominating committee, subject to the advice and consent of the majority of the city council. In the absence of a timely appointment under the foregoing provisions, a majority of the city council may make the appointment at any time thereafter. In the event a majority of the city council does not approve an appointment timely made within the foregoing time periods, the nominating and appointment process shall resume, beginning with the nominating committee which shall have 21 days to make a new nomination. The process shall continue until the position is filled.

(j) Appointments of city attorneys and municipal judges. Within 15 days of a vacancy in the office of city attorney or municipal judge, or by any other date set by the city council, members of the city council and mayor may submit names to the city clerk for consideration by the nominating committee. A nominating committee shall consider any such timely nominations together with any other applicant, provided that no person shall be considered unless they have submitted to the city clerk such information as prescribed by the city council by resolution. The nominating committee shall consist of:

I. The mayor;

II. The president of the council; and

III. A third council member elected by majority vote of the council on an appointment by appointment basis.

The mayor shall preside over nominating committee meetings, and the president of the council shall preside over same in the mayor's absence. The city clerk shall take minutes and act as secretary to such committees. Any member of a nominating committee can call a meeting on at least 72 hours advance written notice to the other members and the committee may otherwise meet at any time by consent of all members. If at least two members of a nominating committee are present at a duly called meeting, they may conduct business including scheduling additional meetings.

A nominating committee shall make its nomination within 45 days of a vacancy in the office in question or by any other date set by the city council. A nomination shall be made by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the nominating committee. The mayor shall, within fourteen (14) days of such nomination, appoint the nominated individual. If such appointment is not timely made, the president of the council shall appoint the nominated individual within fourteen (14) days thereafter. The appointment by the mayor or president shall be made subject to the advice and consent of the majority of the city council. In the event a nominating committee fails to make a timely nomination, the mayor may proceed to make the appointment within 14 days of the expiration of the nominating committee's time to act without the guidance of the nominating committee, subject to the advice and consent of the majority of the city council. In the absence of a timely appointment under the foregoing provisions, a majority of the city council may make the appointment at any time thereafter. In the event a majority of the city council does not approve an appointment timely made within the foregoing time periods, the nominating and appointment process shall resume, beginning with the nominating committee which shall have 21 days to make a new nomination. The process shall continue until the position is filled.