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City Charter Explains
it All
For you by Art
Harvath, Citizen, Action-Figure, HNN Correspondent
At the last regularly scheduled council meeting, council approved an order
creating a subcommittee that would talk to the department heads, and any
other city employee they deemed necessary. The purpose of this committee,
according to Dick Thompson and several other councilmembers, is to better
their understanding of the new budget, the coming layoffs and the operation
of the separate departments.
Needless to say, this subcommittee has caused concern with the Felinton
administration.
Following is what the City Charter has to say about council’s power
to investigate:
Section 3.16. INVESTIGATIONS; POWERS TO CONDUCT
Council shall have the power to conduct investigations of the operation
of any office, department, division, agency or board administering the
affairs of the City and of any subject upon which it may legislate. Council
shall have power to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and compel the
production of records pertinent to any investigation conducted pursuant
to this section of the Charter.
Section 9.13. PERSONNEL POWERS AND DUTIES OF COUNCIL.
…..Except for purpose of inquiry, Council and its members shall
deal with the administrative service solely through the Mayor and neither
Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of
the Mayor either publicly or privately. Violation of the provisions of
this section by any Council member shall constitute official misconduct…….
