DETROIT (AP) - A judge has ruled that the Detroit City Council cannot hold a hearing to remove Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick from office.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Robert Ziolkowski said Monday afternoon that the city charter does not give the council power to force out Kilpatrick.

The council accuses the mayor of violating the charter by not revealing a confidentiality agreement linked to an $8.4 million settlement in a civil case.

A second removal effort by the council rests with Governor Jennifer Granholm, who will preside at a Sept. 3 misconduct hearing targeting Kilpatrick.

The mayor also faces 10 felony counts in two criminal cases.