The legislative power of the city, except as otherwise specifically provided by this chapter, shall be exercised by the city council. The council shall have and exercise such other and additional powers and duties as are provided by the charter.
The city council shall consist of 7 members to be nominated and elected in accordance with the provisions of Title 19 of the Revised Statutes. One member shall be elected from the city at large, one member shall be elected from each of 4 councilmanic wards to be established and maintained pursuant to the charter, one member shall be elected from the first and fourth wards at large, and one member shall be elected from the second and third wards at large.
(a) 
Each council member shall be a registered voter of the city and a resident of the ward or wards from which he or she is elected, in the case of a ward council member, or of any ward in the city in the case of an at-large council member, for at least 1 year immediately prior to the date upon which the election for the office is held, or prior to the date that an appointment to office is made, as the case may be.
(b) 
Each council member shall serve for a term of 4 years beginning on January 1 next following his or her election except that of those first elected the first ward council member shall be elected for a term of 1 year; second ward, 2 years; third ward, 3 years; fourth ward, 4 years; and council member-at-large, 3 years; council member-at-large from first and fourth wards, 2 years; and council member-at-large from second and third wards, 1 year.
A vacancy in the office of council member occurring during a term shall be filled in accordance with the "Municipal Vacancy Law," N.J.S. 40A:16-1 et seq.
(a) 
Council shall, by ordinance, provide for its own organization and rules of procedure, not inconsistent with the charter.
(b) 
The council at its organization meeting and every year thereafter shall elect a president of the council from among the members thereof. He shall preside at its meetings and perform such other duties as the council may prescribe. In the absence of the president, the council shall elect a temporary presiding officer.
Council shall convene in regular meetings at least once each month at such times and places fixed by resolution and noticed to the public, except in the event of a public catastrophe or emergency which renders such meeting impractical or unduly hazardous. Special meetings upon at least 2 days public notice may be called by the mayor whenever he or she deems necessary, and shall be called by the city clerk upon written request signed by a majority of the council members. The call for a special meeting shall specify the purpose of the meeting, and no other business may be conducted at such meeting.
(a) 
Generally. Council procedures shall be governed by or pursuant to the charter. In the event of a conflict between any other applicable laws and this act, this act shall prevail.
(b) 
Voting; quorum. A majority of the whole number of members of the council shall constitute a quorum. The vote upon every motion, resolution or ordinance shall be taken by roll call and the yeas and nays shall be entered on the minutes. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the officer presiding at such meeting and by the city clerk.
(c) 
Resolutions. All resolutions of permanent import shall be introduced in writing, and the votes thereon shall be taken by yeas and nays, and shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole council. A resolution unless otherwise specifically required by law need not be submitted to the mayor for approval.
(d) 
Appointments. Resolutions of appointments by council require the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole council.
(e) 
Mayor's participation. The mayor may attend meetings of council and may take part in discussions of council but shall have no vote.
(a) 
The council may make investigations into the affairs of the city and the conduct of any city department, office, commission or agency and for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and require the production of evidence.
(b) 
Council may remove any officer or employee, other than the mayor or a council member, for cause, upon notice and an opportunity to be heard.
(a) 
Ordinances shall be prepared, introduced, considered and acted upon as required by law. No ordinance may be enacted without the affirmative vote of a majority of all the councilmen.
(b) 
Ordinances adopted by the council shall be submitted to the mayor, and he shall within 10 days after receiving any ordinance, either approve the ordinance by affixing his signature thereto or return it to the council by delivering it to the city clerk together with a statement setting forth his objections thereto or to any item or part thereof. No ordinance or any item or part thereof shall take effect without the mayor's approval, unless the mayor fails to return an ordinance to the council within 10 days after it has been presented to him, or unless council upon reconsideration thereof on or after the third day but not later than its next regular meeting following its return by the mayor shall by a vote of 2/3 of the members resolve to override the mayor's veto.
The legislative, executive and administrative powers of the city are divided between the legislative and executive branches. No person or persons belonging to or constituting one branch shall exercise any of the powers of the other unless specifically authorized by the Charter. Neither the council nor any councilman shall intervene in administrative matters, except for legislative purposes.
The council may provide by ordinance for an annual salary of council members, provided that no ordinance increasing or decreasing such salary shall take effect prior to the next budget year following a general election which occurs not less than 60 days after its adoption. In addition to such salary, council members may be paid their reasonable, actual, and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of their office.
The council shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its members, and may determine the grounds for forfeiture of the office due to misconduct or malfeasance. For this purpose, the council shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths and require the production of evidence. A member charged with conduct constituting grounds for forfeiture of his office shall be entitled to a public hearing on demand. Notice of such hearing shall be published in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the city at least 1 week in advance of the hearing. Any action by the council under this section shall be subject to judicial review.
The council shall appoint the city clerk or some other qualified person to serve as clerk of the council. The clerk shall keep a journal of the council proceedings and record the minutes of every meeting. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the officer presiding at the meeting and by the clerk of the council.
The clerk of the council shall record all ordinances and resolutions adopted by council and at the close of each year, with the advice and assistance of the corporation counsel, shall bind, compile or codify all the ordinances and resolutions, or true copies thereof, of the city which then remain in force and effect. He shall also properly index the record books, compilation or codification of ordinances and resolutions.
The council shall act in relation to legislative matters by ordinance. The enacting clause of all ordinances shall be: "Be It Enacted by the Council of the City of Plainfield:"