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Charter of the City of Columbus

Part of Columbus, Ohio.

PREAMBLE

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

[MUNICIPAL POWERS]

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

THE COUNCIL

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

THE COUNCIL

Cross References Investigating financial transactions - see CHTR. Sec. 3...

Sec. 3. - Legislative powers.

The legislative powers of the city, except as reserved to the people by this charter, ...

Sec. 4. - Council members.

Each member of council shall be elected from one of nine districts by the electors ...

Sec. 4-1. - Transition.

This section provides for a transition from the seven-member council elected at-large ...

Sec. 5. - Vacancies.

If a city council member dies, resigns, is removed from office, ceases to hold any ...

Sec. 5-1. - Temporary inability.

If a city council member is unable to discharge the powers and duties of office, such ...

Sec. 5-2. - Permanent inability.

If a city council member has been unable to discharge the powers and duties of office ...

Sec. 6. - Qualifications of council members.

Members of council shall be electors of the city, shall have resided within the corporate ...

Sec. 7. - Districting for Council.

An independent, citizen-led districting commission shall be appointed by March 1 ...

Sec. 7-1. - Membership of the Districting Commission.

The commission shall be formed as follows: by a two-thirds vote the council shall ...

Sec. 7-2. - Districting criteria.

The districting commission shall create and submit three districting plans which lay ...

Sec. 7-3. - Adoption of a Districting Plan.

The commission shall develop no less than three districting plans that comply with ...

Sec. 8. - Meetings of council.

At 5 o'clock p.m., on the first Monday in January, following a regular municipal election, ...

Sec. 9. - Rules.

The council shall determine its own rules and order of business. ...

Sec. 9-1. - Journal.

The council shall keep a journal of its proceedings, which journal shall be maintained ...

Sec. 9-2. - Organization of council.

The council shall organize itself as it deems appropriate, including the formation ...

Sec. 9-3. - Expelling, removing, forfeiting office.

The council shall be the judge of the election and qualification of its members. Council ...

Sec. 10. - President of council.

At the first meeting in January following a regular municipal election, the council ...

Sec. 10-1. - President pro tempore of council.

At the first meeting in January following a regular municipal election, the council ...

Sec. 10-2. - Acting president pro tempore of council.

In the absence of the president of council and the president pro tempore of council, ...

Sec. 11. - The city clerk.

The council shall appoint a city clerk who shall serve at the pleasure of council. ...

Sec. 11-1. - Duties of the city clerk.

The office of the city clerk, under the supervision and control of the city clerk, ...

Sec. 11-2. - The City Bulletin.

The city clerk shall cause a weekly City Bulletin to be produced. The City Bulletin ...

Sec. 12. - Reserved.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1749-2014, adopted July 21, 2014, repealed § 12 in its en...

Sec. 13. - The city treasurer.

Council shall appoint a city treasurer who shall serve at the pleasure of council. ...

Sec. 14. - Officers and employees.

The council shall appoint such officers and employees of council as it deems necessary. ...

Sec. 15. - Compensation of officers and employees.

Subject to the provision of this charter as to the salary of council members, the ...

Sec. 15-1. - Citizens' commission on elected official compensation.

The salary of all elective officers provided for in this charter shall be established ...

Sec. 15-2. - Commission membership.

The citizens' commission on elected official compensation shall consist of five members, ...

Sec. 15-3. - Commission duties.

The commission shall conduct a review of salaries for like positions in the public ...

Sec. 15-4. - Commission report.

Within three months of appointment, the commission shall submit to the city clerk ...

Sec. 15-5. - Council action to establish salaries.

After the report is submitted, council shall by ordinance either accept the commission ...

Sec. 16. - Official bonds.

The council may determine whether any officer or employee shall give a bond, and the ...

Sec. 17. - Legislative procedure.

Five members shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a lesser number may adjourn ...

Sec. 18. - Action on ordinances or resolutions.

The action of council shall be by ordinance or resolution and the affirmative vote ...

[INCOME TAX]

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

ELECTIONS

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

PETITIONS FOR INITIATED ORDINANCE, REFERENDUM, RECALL, CHARTER AMENDMENT

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

PETITIONS FOR INITIATED ORDINANCE, REFERENDUM, RECALL, CHARTER AMENDMENT

Sec. 42. - Questions and issues.

The following provisions shall govern any petition for an initiated ordinance, referendum, ...

Sec. 42-1. - Petition templates.

The city clerk shall produce petition templates for an initiated ordinance, referendum, ...

Sec. 42-2. - Petition forms.

Each petition for a proposal initiated by a citizen shall comply with the following ...

Sec. 42-3. - Petition committee.

The petition shall bear the names of five qualified electors of the city of Columbus, ...

Sec. 42-4. - Filing certified copy of petition with city clerk.

Whoever seeks to propose by petition an ordinance, referendum, recall, or charter ...

Sec. 42-5. - Duties upon filing of certified copy of petition.

The city clerk shall forward the certified copy of a petition forthwith to the city ...

Sec. 42-6. - Statement of intent to compensate.

Any person or entity providing or promising moneys or things of value for the circulation, ...

Sec. 42-7. - All petitions to be filed with city clerk.

All separate part-petitions providing for a proposed ordinance, referendum, recall, ...

Sec. 42-8. - Withdrawal, effect of withdrawal or insufficiency.

No petition, or part thereof, presented to or filed with any office of the city of ...

Sec. 42-9. - Duties upon filing of a petition.

Within ten days after filing, the city clerk shall cause copies of the petitions to ...

Sec. 42-10. - Validation of part-petitions, signatures.

Validation of signatures and part-petitions shall be as provided for in the general ...

Sec. 42-11. - Council action by ordinance.

Council action on a petition for any proposed ordinance, referendum, or charter amendment ...

Sec. 42-12. - Petitions not subject to veto, referendum.

Any ordinance placing an issue before voters or setting the date of an associated ...

Sec. 42-13. - Conflicting questions and issues.

If two or more proposals are approved or adopted at the same election, and the city ...

Sec. 42-14. - Effect of petition irregularities after approval by voters.

No vote on a proposal submitted to the electors of the city of Columbus shall be held ...

Sec. 42-15. - Legal review, action upon approval of initiated question or issue.

Upon approval of an initiated proposal, the city attorney shall review the same. If ...

Sec. 42-16. - Conferring special privilege by initiated ordinance or charter amendment.

A) Restraint of trade or commerce bein...

Sec. 42-17. - Disclosure Requirements for Certain Initiative Petitions.

A) If a petition committee seeks to us...

THE RECALL

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

THE EXECUTIVE

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

THE EXECUTIVE

Cross References Passing ordinance over Mayor's objections - see CHTR. S...

Sec. 57. - Executive and administrative powers.

The executive and administrative powers of the city shall be vested in the mayor, ...

Sec. 58. - Term and qualifications of mayor.

The mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the city, elected for a term of ...

Sec. 59. - Reserved.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1749-2014, adopted July 21, 2014, repealed § 59 in its en...

Sec. 60. - Mayor's power to appoint and remove officers.

The mayor shall appoint and shall have power to remove the following officers: ...

Sec. 61. - Appointment and removal of employees.

With the concurrence of council, the mayor shall appoint the members of the civil ...

Sec. 62. - General powers and duties of mayor.

It shall be the duty of the mayor to act as chief conservator of the peace within ...

Sec. 62-1. - Mayor's cabinet.

The mayor shall establish a cabinet consisting of the directors of the departments ...

Sec. 63. - Mayor's investigation.

The mayor may without notice cause the affairs of any department or the conduct of ...

Sec. 64. - Acting mayor.

If the mayor is temporarily absent from the city, the mayor may designate a member ...

Sec. 64-1. - Temporary inability.

If the mayor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of office, such inability ...

Sec. 64-2. - Permanent inability.

If the mayor has been unable to discharge the powers and duties of office for ninety ...

Sec. 64-3. - Successor to mayor.

If the mayor dies, resigns, is removed from office, ceases to hold any qualification ...

Sec. 65. - Mayor's right in council.

The mayor, the directors of public service and public safety, the city attorney and ...

DEPARTMENTS AND DIVISIONS

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Cross References Residency of director - see ADM. 129.01 ...

Sec. 101. - General powers and duties of director.

Under the direction of the mayor, the director of public safety shall be the executive ...

Sec. 101-1. - Appointment of police and fire chiefs.

The director of public safety shall appoint the chief of the police division and the ...

Sec. 102. - Division of police.

The division of police shall be composed of a chief and such police officers and other ...

Sec. 103. - [Control by chief of police.]

Under the direction of the director of public safety, the chief of the division of ...

Sec. 104. - [Special police officers.]

No person shall act as special police officer or special detective for any purpose ...

Sec. 105. - Division of fire.

The division of fire shall be composed of a chief of the division and such other officers, ...

Sec. 106. - [Control by fire chief.]

Under the direction of the director of public safety the chief of the division of ...

Sec. 107. - Removal of chiefs.

While either the chief of police or the chief of fire holds the position as provided ...

Sec. 108. - Suspension in fire and police division.

The chiefs of the divisions of police and fire shall have the exclusive right to suspend ...

Sec. 109. - Appeal to civil service commission.

Any person in the division of police or fire under the exclusive control of the chief ...

Sec. 110. - Classification of employees in divisions of police and fire.

The director of public safety shall classify the service in the divisions of police ...

Sec. 111. - Relief of police and firefighters.

The council may provide by general ordinance for the relief, out of the police and ...

Sec. 112. - Division of public welfare.

(Repealed 11-5-74.)

Sec. 112-1. - Division of building regulation.

(Repealed 11-5-74; renumbered 11-3-98.)

Sec. 112-2. - Division of weights and measures.

(Repealed 11-5-74; renumbered 11-3-98.)

RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

TRUSTEES OF THE SINKING FUND

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Cross References Appeals from police or firefighters - see CHTR. Sec. 10...

Sec. 146. - Commissioners.

The mayor, with the concurrence of council, shall appoint three electors of the city ...

Sec. 147. - Officers of commission.

The commission shall designate one of its members as president, shall appoint a secretary, ...

Sec. 148. - Classification.

The Civil Service of the City is hereby divided into the unclassified and the classified ...

Sec. 149. - Rules.

The commission shall prescribe, amend and enforce rules for the classified service, ...

Sec. 149-1. - Appeals.

Except as otherwise provided in this charter any employee of the City of Columbus ...

Sec. 150. - Examinations.

All examinations shall be practical and impartial and shall relate to those matters ...

Sec. 151. - Appointments.

When a position in the competitive classified service is to be filled, the appointing ...

Sec. 152. - Present civil service employees.

The commission shall maintain a list of all persons in the service, showing in connection ...

Sec. 153. - Payrolls certified.

It shall be unlawful for the treasurer or other public disbursing officer to pay any ...

Sec. 154. - Investigations and hearings.

In any investigation or hearing conducted by the commission it shall have the power ...

Sec. 155. - Political beliefs.

No person in the classified service or seeking admission thereto, shall be appointed, ...

Sec. 156. - Political activity.

No person in the classified service shall directly or indirectly, solicit or receive, ...

Sec. 157. - Abuse of political influence.

No person who holds any public office, or who has been nominated for, or who seeks ...

Sec. 158. - Violations and penalties.

Any person or officer who alone or in cooperation with one or more persons, willfully ...

Sec. 158-1. - Resident requirements for certain employees.

Residency shall be in accordance with general laws of the state of Ohio. ...

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

THE TREASURER

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

[PURCHASES]

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

[BUREAU OF INFORMATION AND PUBLICITY]

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

THE CIVILIAN POLICE REVIEW BOARD AND DEPARTMENT OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE DIVISION OF POLICE

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

[ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS]

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

[FINANCES]

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

[FINAL PASSAGE OF ORDINANCES]

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

INITIATED ORDINANCE

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

REFERENDUM

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

CHARTER AMENDMENTS

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

THE CITY ATTORNEY

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

THE CITY ATTORNEY

Cross References Procedure on improvements claims - see CHTR. Sec. 176 ...

Sec. 66. - Election and qualifications.

The city attorney shall be an elector of the city and shall, at all times during the ...

Sec. 67. - Powers and duties.

The city attorney shall have such duties and responsibilities as are set forth in ...

Sec. 68. - [Prosecuting attorney.]

The city attorney shall be the prosecuting attorney of municipal court and may detail ...

Sec. 69. - [Representing city.]

The city attorney shall prosecute or defend for and in behalf of the city, all complaints, ...

Sec. 70. - [Rendering opinions.]

The council, the director of any department, or any officer, board, or commission ...

Sec. 71. - Actions.

The city attorney shall apply, in the name of the city, to a court of competent jurisdiction ...

Sec. 72. - [Obtaining forfeitures or specific performance.]

When an obligation or contract made on behalf of the city granting a right or easement, ...

Sec. 73. - [Mandamus.]

In case any officer, board, or commission fails to perform any duty required by law, ...

Sec. 74. - [Taxpayer's suit.]

In case the city attorney, upon written request of any taxpayer of the city, fails ...

Sec. 75. - [Suit on bonds or notes.]

No such action to enjoin the performance of a contract entered into, or the payment ...

Sec. 76. - [Action on taxpayer's suit.]

If the court hearing any such action be satisfied that the taxpayer had good cause ...

Sec. 77. - City attorney to act as city solicitor.

(Repealed 11-3-98.)

Sec. 78. - Temporary inability.

If the city attorney is unable to discharge the powers and duties of office, such ...

Sec. 78-1. - Permanent inability.

If the city attorney has been unable to discharge the powers and duties of office ...

Sec. 78-2. - Successor to city attorney.

If the city attorney dies, resigns, is removed from office, ceases to hold any qualification ...

THE AUDITOR

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

UTILITY RATES

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

CONTRACTS

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

IMPROVEMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

IMPROVEMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS

Cross References Assessments for improvements - see Ohio Const. Art. XVI...

Sec. 164. - Local improvements.

The council shall have power by ordinance to provide for the construction, reconstruction, ...

Sec. 165. - Methods of special assessments.

Special assessments upon the property deemed benefited by a public improvement shall ...

Sec. 166. - Preliminary resolution.

When it is deemed necessary to make a public improvement to be paid for in whole or ...

Sec. 167. - Plans of proposed improvements.

At the time of the passage of the resolution hereinbefore provided there shall be ...

Sec. 168. - Estimated assessment.

Upon the passage of said resolution it shall be certified to the chief engineer who ...

Sec. 169. - [Lands unalloted or not on duplicate.]

When special assessments are to be levied by the percentage of tax value of the property ...

Sec. 170. - Notice—how served.

A notice of the passage of such resolution and of the fact that such estimated assessment ...

Sec. 171. - Objections to assessments.

An owner of any lot or parcel so to be assessed, who objects to the amount or apportionment ...

Sec. 172. - Board of revision.

When objections to such assessments have been filed as provided in the next preceding ...

Sec. 173. - Hearing on objection.

At the time so appointed said board of revision, after taking an oath faithfully and ...

Sec. 174. - Claims.

An owner of a lot or of land bounding or abutting upon a proposed improvement, claiming ...

Sec. 175. - Damages assessed.

At or before the time of the passage of the ordinance determined to proceed with the ...

Sec. 176. - [Procedure of city attorney.]

When the council determines to assess the damages after the completion of the improvement ...

Sec. 177. - [Damage claims required.]

No person who claims damages arising from any cause, shall commence a suit therefor ...

Sec. 178. - Assessment of cost.

After any such improvement is completed and the cost ascertained, council shall, by ...

Sec. 179. - Collection of assessments.

Special assessments shall be payable by the owners of the property assessed at the ...

Sec. 180. - Limitation on assessments.

The council shall limit all assessments to the special benefits conferred upon the ...

Sec. 181. - City's portion of cost.

The city shall pay such part of the cost and expense of improvements for which special ...

Sec. 181-1. - Petitions for improvements.

When a petition subscribed by the owners of sixty per cent of the front footage of ...

Sec. 182. - Assessments for replacing improvements.

Whenever an assessment is levied for the replacement of any street improvement for ...

Sec. 183. - Sewer and water connections.

The director of public service shall have authority to compel the making of sewer ...

Sec. 184. - Sidewalks.

The council may, by resolution, declare that certain specified sidewalks shall be ...

Sec. 185. - Work done by city.

If such sidewalks be not constructed or repaired within thirty days after the service ...

Sec. 186. - Public improvements by contract or direct labor.

Public improvements of all kinds may be made by the appropriate department either ...

Sec. 187. - Streets and public grounds.

The council shall provide for the care, supervision, control and improvement of public ...

Sec. 188. - Alteration of streets.

When it deems it necessary the council may cause any street, alley or public highway ...

Sec. 189. - Assessment bonds and notes.

The council may at any time borrow money and authorize the issuance of bonds or notes ...

Sec. 190. - Unexpended balances and assessments.

All assessments collected for the improvements for which bonds or notes were issued, ...

Sec. 191. - Dedication of streets.

No street or alley dedicated to public use by the proprietor of ground in the city ...

FRANCHISES

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Part of Charter of the City of Columbus.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Cross References Charter amendments - see Ohio Const., Art. XVIII, Sec. ...

Sec. 224. - Continuance of present officers.

All persons holding office at the time this charter goes into effect shall continue ...

Sec. 225. - Commencement of terms of officers.

All officers whose election is provided for herein shall be first elected at the regular ...

Sec. 226. - Oath of office.

Every officer of the city shall, before entering upon the duties of office, take and ...

Sec. 227. - Prohibited actions by public officials.

Unless otherwise provided by this charter or ordinance of council, general laws of ...

Sec. 228. - Continuance of contract.

All contracts entered into by the city, for its benefit, prior to the taking effect ...

Sec. 229. - Ratification of ordinances.

All ordinances and resolutions in force at the time of the taking effect of this charter, ...

Sec. 230. - Hours of labor.

Except in case of extraordinary emergencies, not to exceed eight hours shall constitute ...

Sec. 231. - Annual reports.

The various officers, boards and heads of departments shall annually report to council ...

Sec. 232. - General laws to apply.

All general laws of the state applicable to municipal corporations, now or hereafter ...

Sec. 233. - Saving clause.

If any section or part of a section of this charter proves to be invalid or unconstitutional, ...

Secs. 234. - Reserved.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1748-2014, adopted July 21, 2014, repealed § 234 in its e...

Sec. 235. - When charter takes effect.

For the purpose of nominating and electing officers and all purposes connected therewith, ...

Sec. 236. - Charter Review Commission.

A charter review commission, composed of five qualified electors of the city, shall ...

Sec. 237. - Charter technical changes.

The council is granted the authority to, through ordinance adopted by unanimous vote ...

Sec. 238. - Equal Rights.

No officer, employee, or agent of the city shall deny equal access to city services, ...

Sec. 239. - Public records.

The records of the city shall be made available to the public in accordance with general ...

Sec. 240. - Open meetings.

The public bodies of the city shall hold all meetings in accordance with the general ...