Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-08-29
COMMISSIONS
POWERS GIVEN
Proposed Charter Tells What
City Commission May and
May Not DO.
MUST MEET ONCE A WEEK
Provides for Full Hearings for Any
Official Before He May BE
Removed.

Previous articles on the city char
ter have taken up the powers of the
city, the boundaries of the city and
wards, the elective and the appointive
officials. In the article this week the
salaries of the officers, filling of vac
ancies in office, removal of appointive
officials and the method of procedure
for the city commission.
Chapter six deals with the salaries,
fixing the salary of the mayor at
$500. 90 and that of the commission
ers at $4,000 per year The salaries
of the supervisors are to be the same
as that allowed by law for services
of supervisors unless otherwise
ordered by the commission. The
commission is required to determine
the salaries of the other officials and
employees of the city, except for the
wages Of laborers and casual en-
ployees which are TO be fixed by the
manager, subject to the approval of
the commission. Salaries of officers
of the city continued by the charter
shall remain as they now are until
otherwise determined. This chapter
also provides that the salaries Of APP
pointive officials shall not be changed
during their term of Office.
Chapter seven in taking up vac
ancdes provides that vacancies in
elective Offices, except as otherwise
provided by the charter, shall be filled
temporarily by appointment by the
commission, and that the appointees
shall hold Office until successors are
elected. Vacancies are to be filled at
the regular state election following,
prior to which there is time to take
the needed action.
1t is provided that if by reason of
resignation, death or failure to elect.
or because of other circumstance,
three or more vacancies exist at the
same time on the commission, then
the city supervisors shall convene at
the call of the city clerk, and make
such appointments as are necessary
to constitute commission of five
qualified members. 1t will require a
majority vote of the supervisors to
make such appointment.
Elective officers ceasing to be resi-
dents Of the city, convicted of a fell
ony or misdemeanor, or if they be-
come defaulter to the city, will lose
their office, it is provided.
Vacancies in appointive offices are
to be filled by the commission for the
unexpired term only and at the same
salary. Appontive officers may be
suspended from office by the commits
sion whenever such officials shall, by
the commission be deemed guilty of
wilful misfeasance or malfeasance of
Office, incompetency or neglect of
duty.
No official holding office for de-
finite term shall be removed from
Office until he has been served with
a complete statement of the charges
made against him, and shall have had
and opportunity for a fair and full
hearing before the commission, after
at least five days written notice. He
may employ council or present evi-
dence in his own behalf The city
commission may by ordinance, pro-
scribe rules for such hearings.
Chapter eight places all powers of
the city, except as herein stated with
the city commission.
II provides that the first meeting
of the commission shall be at the city
chambers on the first Tuesday in
May, 1919, at 500 All other regu-
lar meetings shall be held on Tuesday
of each week at such hour as may he
determined. Special meetings may
be called by the mayor or two com
missioners by notice, in writing, filed
with the clerk. The clerk is required
to notify all members at least two
hours before the time Of meeting. II
is also provided that all members OF
the commission may hold valid
meeting at any time without notice
so served. II is provided that three
members will constitute a quorum.
The city clerk is to be the clerk oi
the commission. to attend the meet.
ings, record all of its proceedings anc
furnish certified copies Of all records
of his office when required by any
Wy
The commission is given power tc
appoint committees. adopt rules anc
bylaws for its guidance. not incon
sistent with the charter and tn,
general laws. Il is empowered to b,
the sole judge Of the election anc
qualification Of its members.
Section seven Of this chapter pro
vides that no money shall be appro
priated except by resolution or ordin
ance. 1t provides that all votes OF
ordinances and resolutions shall b,
by yea and nay vote, and that al
voting on appointive officers shall b,
by ballot. One week is provided il
which to publish the minutes and
meeting of the commission in one o
the newspapers % the city. Tn,
commission is given the power {,
compel the attendance Of its memberi
and other officers Of the city at th'
meetings and may enforce fines fo