§ 2.02. Composition, Eligibility, Election and Terms

(a) Composition. There shall be a City Council composed of the Mayor and eight members. Two Council members shall be nominated and elected from and by the voters in each of four Council districts [wards]. The Mayor shall be elected from the City at large in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.03.

(b) Eligibility. Council members shall be registered voters of the ward from which they are elected.

(c) Election and Terms. The regular election of Council members shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in odd numbered years, in the manner provided by law. At the first election under this Charter eight Council members shall be elected, two from each ward. The candidate from each ward receiving the most votes will serve a four-year term; the candidate from each ward receiving the next greatest number of votes will serve a two-year term. Commencing at the next regular election and at all subsequent elections, all Council members shall be elected for four-year terms. The term of Council members shall begin the first day of January after their election.