Sec. 2-400. - Inquiries and investigations generally.

The council shall have power by resolution to authorize inquiries and investigations to be conducted by the entire body or by any of its committees in aid of its legislative powers and functions.

Sec. 2-401. - Power to obtain attendance of witnesses and production of documents.

The council shall have power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and other evidence at any meeting of the body or of any of its committees.

Sec. 2-402. - Oaths of witnesses.

The presiding officer of the council or of any of its committees shall have power to administer oaths to witnesses.

Sec. 2-403. - Employment of personnel, expenses and cooperation of city departments and agencies.

For the purpose of conducting inquiries and investigations, the council by resolution may employ, or authorize the employment by its committees, and fix the compensation of counsel, experts and employees and authorize such other expenditures as it deems necessary; but a limit of the total cost shall be stated which shall not be exceeded except by vote of the council authorizing additional amounts. However, the council or any of its committees may, with the consent of the head of any department, board or commission of the city, utilize the services, information, facilities and personnel of such department, board or commission.

Sec. 2-404. - Investigations to be public.

All inquiries and investigations conducted by the council or any of its committees shall be open to the public, except when in the opinion of the investigating body, executive sessions are required.

Sec. 2-405. - Rights of witnesses and others.

Any witness appearing before the council or any of its committees may be represented by counsel. Any person whose character shall have been impugned in the course of an inquiry or investigation by the council or by any of its committees shall be given the opportunity to appear with or without counsel, to present evidence, to cross-examine any person who may have impugned his character, and to call witnesses of his own; and the council shall, upon application being made, exercise its subpoena power to compel the attendance of such persons and witnesses.

Sec. 2-406. - Conduct of proceedings.

The conduct of proceedings of councilmanic inquiries and investigations shall be subject to such rules as the council may prescribe. Any person who fails or refuses to obey a lawful order issued in the exercise of these powers by the city council shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable in accordance with a schedule of fines and imprisonment established by the city council. In no event shall a fine exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) and an imprisonment shall not exceed one year. Any combination of fines and imprisonment shall not exceed both five hundred dollars ($500.00) and one year. The municipal court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over offenses established under this section.