The City electors shall elect a Commission of seven members, one of whom shall serve as Mayor. The Commission shall constitute the legislative and governing body of the City. The Commission shall have power and authority, except as otherwise provided in this Charter, to exercise all powers conferred upon or possessed by the City.
The Commission shall by resolution fix the compensation for Commissioners. The Commission may by resolution reimburse reasonable expenses actually incurred by Commissioners. Commissioners shall receive no other compensation from the City.
The Commission shall, at its first meeting following each regular City election, elect one of its members to serve as Mayor for a term expiring at the first Commission meeting following the next regular City election.
To the extent required and allowed by law, and for all ceremonial purposes, the Mayor shall be recognized as the head of the City. The Mayor shall have an equal voice and vote in the proceedings of the Commission. The Mayor may request citizens to assist the enforcement of applicable ordinances and laws. The Mayor shall execute or otherwise authenticate such instruments as the Commission, this Charter, State law or Federal law shall require. The Mayor shall give the Commission information pertaining to its legislative and policy functions. The Mayor shall make appointments to the City's committees and boards, unless otherwise provided by this Charter or the laws of the State. In any events, the Mayor's appointments shall be subject to confirmation by the Commission.
The Commission may designate a Mayor Pro Tem to perform the duties of the Mayor when, because of absence from the City, disability or otherwise, the Mayor is temporarily unable to perform the duties of that office. If both the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem are absent, the Commission shall appoint one of its other members to perform the duties of the Mayor.
The administrative officers of the City shall include the Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor, Attorney, Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Superintendent, and such additional administrative officers as may be created by ordinance. All such administrative officers of the City shall perform those duties required by State law, Federal law, this Charter, City ordinances, and Commission directives. The Commission may combine any administrative offices in any manner it deems necessary or advisable for the City's proper and efficient operation, including the offices of Clerk and Treasurer. The Commission may fill any administrative office by contracting with another local unit of government rather that hiring its own employee to fill the position.
Except as otherwise provided in this Charter or by the laws of the State, all administrative officers of the City shall be appointed by the Commission for an indefinite period, shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission, and shall have their compensation fixed by the Commission.
The City Clerk shall be the Clerk of the Commission. The Clerk or the Deputy Clerk shall attend all meetings of the Commission and shall keep a permanent journal in the English language of the Commission's proceedings. In addition, the Clerk shall:
(a)
Keep a record of all ordinances, resolutions and other actions of the Commission;
(b)
Be the custodian of the City seal and affix it to all required documents;
(c)
Be the custodian of all papers, documents and records pertaining to the City, unless otherwise required by law.
(d)
Provide the appropriate officials with ample notice of the expiration or termination of any franchise, license, contract or agreement.
(e)
Administer all oaths required by law;
(f)
Certify all ordinances and resolutions enacted or passed by the Commission;
(g)
Maintain in the Clerk's office a supply of forms for all petitions required to be filed with the Clerk for any purpose.
(h)
Maintain a system of City accounts which conforms to any uniform system required by State law or the Commission;
(i)
Balance all City accounts at the end of each calendar month and report on the balance to the Commission, unless the Commission assigns this duty to some other officer.
(k)
Perform any other duties as are required by State law, Federal law, this Charter or the Commission.
The City Treasurer shall:
(a)
Receive and maintain custody of all City moneys and all evidences of value belonging to or held in trust by the City;
(b)
Have custody of the Clerk's bond;
(c)
Disburse City funds according to the direction and the procedures established by the Commission, this Charter and State law;
(d)
Keep and deposit all moneys or funds only in such manner and only in such places as the Commission may direct and as is allowed by State law;
(e)
Have such powers and duties for the collection and custody of State, County, School District and City taxes and moneys as are conferred by State law; and
(f)
Perform any other duties as are required by State law, Federal law, by this Charter or the Commission.
The City Assessor shall possess all the powers vested in, and shall be charged with all the duties imposed upon, assessing officers by the general laws of the State. The Assessor shall make and prepare all regular and special assessment rolls in the manner prescribed by this Charter or by the Commission. The Assessor shall perform any other duties as are required by State law, Federal law, this Charter or the Commission.
The Superintendent shall supervise, direct, instruct and evaluate the City's public works employees (i.e. those employees, who are responsible to maintain City property, operate City equipment and provide City services to City residents). The Superintendent shall perform any other duties as are required by State law, Federal law, this Charter or the Commission.
Police officers hired by or contracted for by the City shall have all the powers, immunities, and privileges granted to police officers by State and Federal law for the making of arrests, the preservation of order, and the safety of persons and property in the City. Police officers shall make and sign complaints to or before the proper officers and magistrates against any person known to be, or upon complaint or information believed to be, guilty of any violation of this Charter, or of City ordinances, or of State or Federal laws for which a penalty is provided. Violations of City ordinances shall be deemed to be misdemeanors or civil infractions.
If a vacancy occurs in any elective office, the Commission shall, within 60 days after the vacancy occurs, appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. If a vacancy in the Commission is not filled within that time, or if the Commission simultaneously has four or more vacancies, the Clerk shall call a special election to be held within 60 days, unless a regular City election will occur during those 60 days.
Except by procedures provided in this Charter, the terms of the City's elected officers shall not be shortened. The terms of the City's elected officers shall also not be extended; however, an elected City officer shall, after the officer's term has expired, continue to hold office until the officer's successor takes office. The Commission shall not grant or authorize extra compensation for service which has already been rendered to the extent State law prohibits retroactive compensation. The salaries of elected City officers may only be adjusted as allowed by State law.