Article III. MAYOR  

Section 3.01- Eligibility, Election and Term

(a)

There shall be a Mayor elected at large by the qualified electors of the City.

(b)

Eligibility. Only eligible electors of the City shall be a candidate or hold the office of Mayor.

(c)

Election and Term. The Mayor shall be elected by the voters at large at the regular City election every four years to serve for a four-year term.

The term of a Mayor shall begin and end as by law provided.

Section 3.02- Compensation

The Council shall by ordinance prescribe the reasonable compensation of the Mayor giving due regard to the duties and responsibilities of the Mayor herein set out and the recommendations of the Salary Review Advisory Board, all as by law provided.

Section 3.03- Removal from Office, Filling Vacancies

(a)

Removal from Office. A Mayor may be removed from Office as by law provided.

(b)

Filling Vacancies. In exercising its statutory vacancy filling powers, the Council shall utilize the following procedure.

To fill a vacancy in the position of Mayor, the Council shall within seven days of the time the vacancy occurs, appoint from outside its members, a seven-member nominating committee comprised of one member from each council ward and three members from the City at large. No more than two members shall be from any one ward. The committee shall conduct one public hearing and within fourteen days of the committee's appointment shall submit a list of names to the Council of not less than three or more than five eligible electors willing to serve, or all if less than three apply. The Council shall fill the vacancy from that list.

Section 3.04- Mayor's Powers and Duties

(a)

The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the City, except for the supervisory duties, which have been delegated as provided for in this Charter under 4.02(b) and the presiding officer of the Council. The Mayor serves as a governmental leader and chief spokesperson for the Council and the City. The Mayor provides leadership by serving as a liaison with the City Manager, by coordinating and facilitating communication and understanding between elected officials, by interacting with the public and fostering communication and interaction between the public, elected officials and government officials to build consensus, by guiding and assisting the Council in planning, setting visionary goals and advocating policy decisions, by serving as a key representative in intergovernmental relations and by promoting and defending the City. The Mayor is not a member of the Council and shall not be eligible to vote on any measure before the Council. The Mayor may call special meetings of the Council.

(b)

Mayor shall make appointments to and removals from all boards and commissions and recommend such appointments and removals to the Council for approval.

(c)

State of the City Report. The Mayor shall during January of each calendar year give the Council a report on the affairs of the City, including an evaluation of the goals and objectives for the past year that are identified in the 5-Year Strategic Plan and make any recommendations he or she considers necessary and desirable. At the formal request of a majority of the Council, the Mayor shall give the Council information as to the affairs of the City.

(d)

Procedure on Council Measures. The Mayor may sign, veto or take no action on measures passed by the Council on record roll call vote. Measures passed by the Council shall become effective as by law provided.

(e)

Law Enforcement Authority. The Mayor may take command of the police and govern the City by proclamation when the Mayor determines that a time of emergency or public danger exists. Within the City limits, the Mayor has all the powers conferred upon the sheriff to suppress disorders. 372.14(2).

(f)

The Mayor shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Charter, by ordinance, or by state law.