Article 14: Succession in Government

Sec. 1. Rights of officers and employees preserved.

Nothing in the charter contained, except as specifically provided, shall affect or impair the rights or privileges of officers or employees of the city or of any office, department, or agency existing at the time when this charter shall take effect, or any provision of law in force at the time when the charter shall take effect and not inconsistent with the provisions of this charter, in relation to the personnel, appointment, rank, grade, tenure of office, promotion, removal, pension and retirement rights, civil rights or any other rights or privileges of officers or employees of the city or any office, department or agency.

Sec. 2. Continuance of present officers.

All persons holding executive and administrative office at the time this charter takes effect shall continue in office and in the performance of their duties until provisions shall have been made in accordance therewith for the performance of such duties or the discontinuance of such duties.

Sec. 3. Continuance of present offices, departments and agencies.

Any office, department or agency provided for in this charter to be named or with powers and duties the same or substantially the same as those heretofore existing, shall be deemed a continuation of such office, department or agency and shall have powers to continue any business proceedings or other matters within the scope of the powers and duties prescribed by the charter. Any office, department or agency not provided for in this charter, heretofore existing, shall continue to exercise powers and duties as the same were heretofore exercised and shall have the power to continue any business proceedings or other matters within the scope of its regular powers and duties until such office, department or agency shall be changed or abolished by the council as heretofore provided in this charter.

The powers conferred and the duties imposed upon any office, department or agency of the city by the laws of this state shall, if such office, department or agency be abolished by this charter or under its authority, be thereafter exercised and discharged by the office, department or agency designated by the council, unless otherwise provided herein.

Sec. 4. Continuance of appointive boards and commissions.

All appointive boards and commissions, heretofore existing, shall continue and shall exercise such powers and duties as were granted them until such boards and commissions shall be changed or abolished by the council as heretofore provided in this charter.

Sec. 5. Transfer of records and property.

All records, property and equipment whatsoever of any office, department or agency or part thereof, all the powers and duties of which are assigned to any other office, department or agency by this charter, or under its authority shall be transferred and delivered to the office, department or agency to which such powers and duties are so assigned.

Sec. 6. Continuance of contracts.

All contracts entered into by the city prior to the taking effect of this charter, shall continue in full force and effect.

Sec. 7. Pending actions and proceedings.

The adoption of the charter shall not abate or otherwise affect any action or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending when it takes full effect, brought by or against the city or any office, department, agency, or officer thereof.

Sec. 8. Ordinances to remain in force.

All ordinances, resolutions and regulations of the city in force at the time of this charter taking effect, and not inconsistent with the provisions thereof, are hereby continued in force until the same shall be duly amended or repealed.

Sec. 9. Inauguration of government under this charter.

If a majority of the qualified electors of the city, voting on the question, vote to ratify this charter, the provisions of this charter shall go into effect for all purposes immediately upon the approval of the governor as provided by the constitution of this state.

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