Section
3.2. Composition, eligibility, election and terms.
(a) Council members. The city council shall consist of seven
members; a Mayor and six Council Members.
(b) Eligibility.
Only registered voters of this city shall be
eligible
to be elected as Council Members.
(c) Election, terms and limitations.
(i) The Council Members shall be nominated and
elected at large by the qualified voters of this city.
(ii) At each regular election of the city after the first election
held under the charter, Council Members shall be elected to
fill the positions of those whose terms expire and shall be
elected for four-year terms. However, in the event a
Council Member is being elected to replace a Council Member
who vacated office prior to the expiration of such Council
Member's term, the elected Council Member shall serve for the
remainder of the un-expired term. If in the same election
Council Members are to be elected to serve full terms and
Council Members are to be elected to serve un-expired terms,
the person elected who receives the least number of votes
shall serve the un-expired term. If more than one Council
Member is to be elected to un-expired terms at such election,
then such terms shall be filled in order, with the person
elected receiving the least number of votes to serve the
shortest term, the person receiving the next least number of
votes the next longest term, until all un-expired terms are
filled.
(iii)
There shall be no limit to the number of terms a Council
Member may serve on the city council, provided however, that
no person shall be eligible to be elected to more than two
consecutive four-year terms as a Council Member.
(d) Compensation and expenses.
(i)
Those persons initially elected Council Members under this
charter shall each receive as compensation the sum of Two
Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per month. This provision shall
remain in effect unless otherwise changed by ordinance as
provided herein.
(ii) After the first council election hereunder, the council
may from time to time determine the compensation of Council
Members by
ordinance, but no increase in such compensation shall become
effective until the commencement of the terms of Council
Members elected at the next regular city election held at
least six months after the approval of such ordinance and
provided that the compensation of any Council Member shall not
be increased during the term of office of such Council Member.
(iii) In addition to their compensation, Council Members may receive
reimbursement for their actual and necessary expenses incurred
in the fulfillment of their office, provided that such
expenses are supported by appropriate documentation.
Section
3.3. Mayor.
(a) Eligibility.
Only registered voters of the city shall be
eligible to be elected to the office of Mayor.
(b) Election and term. The Mayor shall be elected at
regular elections of the city for a term of four years.
(c) Member of council.
The Mayor shall be a voting member of
the city council.
(d) Limitation on terms. There shall be no limit to the number of
times a person may serve as Mayor; provided, however, that no
person shall be eligible to be elected to more than two
consecutive four-year terms as Mayor.
(e) Compensation and expenses.
(i) The first Mayor elected hereunder shall receive
as compensation the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per
month. This provision shall remain in effect unless otherwise
changed by ordinance as provided herein.
(ii) After the first council election hereunder,
the council may from time to time determine the compensation
of the Mayor by ordinance, but no increase in such
compensation shall become effective until the commencement of
the term of the Mayor elected at the next regular city
election held at least six months after the approval of such
ordinance.
(iii) In addition to compensation, the Mayor may receive
reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in
the fulfillment
of that office, provided that such expenses are supported by
appropriate documentation.
(f) Additional duties.
In addition to being a member of the
city council the Mayor shall:
(i) Preside
as chairman of meetings of the city council;
(ii) Call special meetings of the city council as
provided by the charter;
(iii) Be deemed the head of city government for
legal, ceremonial and military purposes;
(iv) Execute all bills, resolutions, contracts and documents
on behalf of the city;
(v) Preside as chairman of the council review of
the performance of the Chief Administrative Officer as
provided in section 4.1 (b);
(vi) Place in nomination for consideration of the
city council nominees for the positions of the City Attorney,
Municipal Judge, City Clerk and members of all boards,
commissions and committees of the city. The council by
ordinance may also provide for such nominations to be made by
its other members;
(vii) Have the authority to request written reports
and opinions from the City Attorney. The council by ordinance
or resolution may also provide that written reports or
opinions may be requested by its other members, by the council
as a whole or by designated city employees;
(viii) Have the authority to request written
reports and recommendations from the presiding officer of each
board, commission and committee of the city under the
jurisdiction of the city council, with the advice and consent
of the city council;
(ix) Appoint the Provisional Municipal Judge as provided by
the charter.
(g)
Deputy mayor. The
city council shall elect from its members a deputy mayor who
shall act as Mayor in the event the office of Mayor becomes
vacant or in the event the Mayor shall be unable to perform
due to absence or disability.
Section
3.4. Prohibitions.
(a)
Holding other office.
Except
where otherwise authorized by law or pursuant to an agreement
between the city and another governmental entity, no member of
the city council shall hold any other city office or
employment while serving as a member of the city council. No
former member of the city council shall hold any compensated,
appointed city office or employment until one year after the
expiration of the term for which such member was elected.
(b)
Appointments and removals.
The
city council and its members shall not direct the employment
or removal of any city employee or officer who is employed or
appointed under the authority of the Chief Administrative
Officer. Members of the council may express their views to the
Chief Administrative Officer regarding any matter pertaining
to city employees or officers.
(c)
Interference with
administration prohibited. The council and its members shall only
deal with city employees and officers who are under the
direction and supervision of the Chief Administrative Officer
through the Chief Administrative Officer. The council and its
members shall not give orders to such city employees or
officers publicly or privately. Any violation of this
prohibition shall be deemed a violation of an express
prohibition of this charter as set forth in Section 3.5(b)
(ii).
Section
3.5. Vacancies, forfeiture of office, filling of vacancies.
(a)
Vacancies. The
office of a Council Member or the Mayor shall become vacant
upon death, resignation, removal from office in a manner
authorized by law, or forfeiture of office.
(b)
Forfeiture of office.
A
Council Member or the Mayor shall forfeit office if such
Council Member or Mayor (i) lacks at any time during the term
of office any qualification for the office prescribed by this
charter or law, (ii) violates any express prohibition of this
charter, (iii) is convicted of a crime involving moral
turpitude or a felony, (iv) is in default to the city, or (v)
fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the
council without being excused by the council.
(c)
Filling of vacancies.
(i) Council Member. A vacancy in the office of Council
Member
shall be filled by the council by a majority vote of all its
remaining
members for a period running to the next regular election
unless such period would exceed one year from the date of the
vacancy, in which event the council shall provide for a
special election to fill such vacancy for the un-expired term.
(ii) Mayor. In
the event the office of Mayor shall become vacant the deputy
mayor shall serve as acting Mayor until the next regular city
election unless such period would exceed one year from the
date of the vacancy, in which event the council shall provide
for a special election to fill such vacancy for the un-expired
term.
Section
3.6. Judge of qualifications.
The
council shall be the judge of the election and qualifications
of its members and of the grounds for forfeiture. A member
charged by the council with conduct constituting grounds for
forfeiture of office shall be furnished with a written
document from the council setting forth such charges. Such
member may demand a public hearing before the council. The
council shall have the power to issue subpoenas to compel the
testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence, and it
may administer oaths. The council shall subpoena such
witnesses and evidence as may also be requested by the member
whose forfeiture is under review at such hearing. Any person
who willfully fails to comply with a subpoena issued hereunder
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor subject to penalty as
provided by ordinance. Decisions made by the council under
this provision shall be subject to review by the appropriate
court as provided by law.
Section
3.7. Investigations.
The
council may make investigations into the affairs of the city.
In the event the council determines to conduct a formal
investigation, it may do so only upon the vote of a majority
of the council then in office setting forth with particularity
the nature of the investigation. In the event the council
undertakes a formal investigation, it may conduct hearings,
issue subpoenas to compel the testimony of witnesses and
production of evidence, and it may administer oaths. All such
hearings shall be public. Any person who willfully fails to
comply with a subpoena issued hereunder shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor subject to penalty as provided by ordinance.
Section
3.8. Independent audit.
The
council shall provide for an independent audit of all city
accounts at least annually. Such audit shall be made by an
independent certified public accountant or firm of such
accountants. A copy of such audit report shall be kept in the
City Clerk's office and shall be open to public inspection.
Section
3.9. Legislative proceedings.
(a)
Meetings. The
council shall meet regularly at least once each month at such
time and place as the council may prescribe by rule. The
council may also hold additional regular meetings at such time
and place as the council. may prescribe by rule. Notice of
such regular meetings shall be posted at the city hall. The
Mayor may, or at the request of at least three members of the
council shall, call a special meeting of the council for a
time not earlier than twenty-four hours after notice is
given to all members of the council then in the city.
Emergency meetings of the council may also be held at any time
by the consent of five-sevenths of all the members of
the council, and such consent may be given either prior to or
during the special meeting. All meetings of the city council
shall be public meetings unless such meetings may be closed
pursuant to law. Unless otherwise provided by law, no action
of the council shall take effect unless the motion for the
action and the vote by which it is disposed of shall take
place at proceedings open to the public.
(b)
Rules and journals.
The
council shall determine its own rules and order of business.
It shall cause a journal of its proceedings to be maintained
and this journal shall be open to public inspection.
(c) Voting. Voting shall be by roll call except on procedural
motions, and the ayes and nays shall be recorded in the
journal. Roll call votes shall be taken in the order as
prescribed by rule of council. A majority of members of the
council shall constitute a quorum for its business, but a
smaller number may meet and compel the attendance of absent
members in the manner and subject to the penalties prescribed
by the rules of the council. Except as otherwise provided in
this charter, the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire
council then in office shall be necessary to adopt any
ordinance or resolution.
(d)
Form of ordinances.
Proposed
ordinances and resolutions shall be introduced in the council
only in written or printed form. The enacting clause of all
ordinances shall be: Be It
Ordained By The Council Of The City Of
Kirkwood.
The
enacting clause of all ordinances submitted by initiative
shall be: Be It Ordained By The People Of The City Of
Kirkwood.
No
ordinance, except those making appropriations of money and
those codifying or revising existing ordinances, shall contain
more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its
title. An ordinance which appropriates funds may contain
subjects relating to such appropriation.
(e)
Reading, time before
adoption. Every proposed ordinance shall be read by title
in an open council meeting at least twice before final
passage, and at least one week shall elapse between its first
reading and final passage. A copy of each proposed ordinance
shall be provided for each council member at the time of its
introduction, and after it is introduced, copies of such
proposed ordinance shall be available for public inspection in
the office of the City Clerk. The council shall provide by its
rules the opportunity for persons interested in any proposed
ordinance to be heard before the council. If the council
adopts an amendment to a proposed ordinance which constitutes
a change in substance, the proposed ordinance as amended shall
be placed on file for public inspection in the office of the
City Clerk for one additional week prior to its final passage.
(f)
Emergency ordinances.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing provision, an ordinance may be passed as an
emergency measure on the day of its introduction if necessary
for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or
safety and if it contains a declaration describing in clear
and specific terms the facts and reasons constituting the
emergency and receives the votes of five-sevenths of the
members of the council. An ordinance granting, reviewing or
extending a franchise shall not be passed as an emergency
ordinance
(g)
Effective date. Every
adopted ordinance subject to referendum shall become effective
at the expiration of thirty days after adoption or at any
later date specified in such ordinance. All other ordinances
shall become effective upon adoption or at any later date
specified in the ordinance.
(h)
Authentication and
recording. All
ordinances and resolutions adopted by the council shall be
authenticated by the signature of the Mayor and City Clerk.
The City Clerk shall record in a
properly
indexed book maintained for that purpose all ordinances and
resolutions adopted by the council.
Section 3.10. Revision of ordinances.
All
ordinances and resolutions of the city of a general and
permanent nature shall be codified and promulgated according
to a system of continuous numbering and revision as specified
by ordinance.
Section 3.11. City Clerk.
The
council shall appoint an officer who shall have the title of
City Clerk, The council shall fix the compensation and
conditions of employment for such office. The City Clerk shall
maintain the journal of council proceedings, authenticate by
signature of the City Clerk all ordinances and resolutions,
and record them in full in a book maintained for that purpose.
The City Clerk shall perform such other duties as may be
required by law, by this charter, or by the council. The City
Clerk shall be responsible to the council and shall hold
office at the pleasure of the council.
Section 3.12. Municipal Judge.
(a)
Appointment and
qualifications. The council shall appoint an officer who
shall have the title of Municipal Judge. The Municipal Judge
shall be appointed for a term of two years unless otherwise
provided by law. The person appointed to such position must
have the following qualifications:
(i) Licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri.
(ii) A resident of the City of Kirkwood.
(iii) At least twenty-one years of age and under the
age of seventy-five years during the term for which
appointed.
(iv) Not otherwise an officer or employee of the city.
(b) Powers and duties. The Municipal Judge shall have such powers
and duties as are conferred upon such officers by the laws of
the State of Missouri.
(c) Provisional Municipal Judge. The Mayor shall
appoint a person to the position of Provisional Municipal
Judge who shall have
the same
qualifications as the Municipal Judge. The Provisional
Municipal Judge shall serve as Municipal Judge in the event
the Municipal Judge is unable to perform such duties of office
due to absence, illness or disqualification to hear certain
matters.
(d)
Compensation. The council shall by ordinance fix the
compensation of the Municipal Judge and Provisional Municipal
Judge.
Section 3.13. City Attorney.
(a)
Appointment and qualifications. The council shall appoint an
officer who shall have the title of City Attorney. The City
Attorney shall be a resident of the City of Kirkwood and shall
be licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri.
(b)
Duties. The City Attorney shall be the chief legal officer for
the City and shall have such duties as may be assigned by law
and the council, and may render informal legal opinions as
requested from time to time by any member of the council.
(c)
Assistant City Attorneys and Prosecuting Attorneys. The City
Attorney shall, with the consent of the council, appoint
Assistant City Attorneys and Prosecuting Attorneys for the
prosecution of violations of city ordinances before the
Municipal Judge. Such assistants shall be responsible for the
fulfillment of these duties to the City Attorney.
(d)
Compensation. The council shall provide for the compensation
of the City Attorney and Assistant City Attorneys and
Prosecuting Attorneys. Such compensation may be provided by
fees and may be paid directly to such officers or to a law
firm or firms of which they are members or employees.