Chapter 2.12
CITY MANAGER
Sections:
2.12.010 Purpose.
2.12.020 Office created—Qualifications.
2.12.030 Eligibility of councilmembers.
2.12.040 Appointment, tenure and removal.
2.12.050 Compensation and expenses.
2.12.060 Powers and duties.
2.12.070 Administrative relationships.
2.12.080 Limitation imposed.
2.12.090 Standards of performance.
2.12.010 Purpose.
The council finds and determines that the administrative affairs of the municipal government of the city would be handled more expeditiously, efficiently, and satisfactorily through an officer who, acting on behalf of the council, would attend to such administrative affairs, correlate and coordinate various municipal activities, compile data, prepare reports relating to the affairs of city government and generally act as the agent of the council in the discharge of administrative duties. (Prior code § 2.4.00)
2.12.020 Office created—Qualifications.
There is created in the service of the city the position of city manager. The city manager shall be selected by the council solely on the basis of his or her professional experience; administrative qualifications, and education with special reference to his or her actual experience in, and knowledge of, accepted practices in respect to the duties of his or her office as set forth in this chapter. (Prior code § 2.4.01)
2.12.030 Eligibility of councilmembers.
No person elected to membership on the council shall be eligible for appointment as city manager until one year has elapsed after he or she has ceased to be a member of the council. (Prior code § 2.4.03)
2.12.040 Appointment, tenure and removal.
A. The city manager shall be appointed by the council and shall hold office at and during the pleasure of the council; provided, however, the city manager shall not be removed from office during or within a period of ninety (90) days next succeeding any general municipal election in the city at which election a member of the council is elected, except by a unanimous vote of the council.
B. The purpose of this provision is to permit any newly elected member of the council to observe the actions and ability of the city manager in the performance of the powers and duties of his or her office. (Prior code § 2.4.04)
2.12.050 Compensation and expenses.
A. The city manager shall receive such compensation and expense allowances as the council shall, from time to time, determine, and such compensation and expenses shall be a proper charge against such funds of the city as the council designates.
B. The city manager shall be reimbursed for all sums necessarily incurred or paid by him or her in the performance of his or her duties, or incurred when traveling on business pertaining to the city under the direction of, or with the express consent of, the council. Reimbursement shall be made only in accordance with an itemized claim setting forth the sums expended or obligation incurred in the manner provided by the council for the presentation of claims for reimbursement of expenses of other city officers and employees. (Prior code § 2.4.05)
2.12.060 Powers and duties.
A. The city manager shall be the administrative head of the government of the city, under the direction and control of the council. The manager shall be responsible for the efficient administration of all the affairs of the city, which affairs are under his or her control.
B. In addition to the general powers as administrative head, and not as a limitation thereon, the city manager shall have the following powers and duties:
1. General Supervision. To execute on behalf of the council, its administrative supervision and control of such affairs of the city as may be placed in his or her charge, or which are not otherwise provided for the council;
2. Personnel and Organization. To appoint competent, qualified officers and employees to all positions in city employment except the city attorney and the fire chief; to dismiss, suspend and discipline such officers and employees in accordance with such policies as may from time to time be set forth by the council; to transfer such employees from one department to another consistent with the policies of the council; to recommend to the council such reorganization of officers, departments or divisions as may be indicated in the interests of the efficient, effective and economical conduct of the city’s business, and to effect such reorganization when authorized by appropriate ordinance, resolution or motion of the council. The city manager shall have the authority to appoint department heads other than the city attorney and fire chief subject to ratification by the council at its next regular meeting.
3. Authority Over Officers and Employees. To control, order, and give direction to all heads of departments and subordinate officers and employees of the city, except in matters which by state law are confined to their exclusive and uncontrolled jurisdiction, and except the city attorney. Department heads shall include: public works director/city engineer, finance director, planning director, police chief, library director, recreation director, fire chief;
4. Rules and Regulations. To prescribe such rules, regulations and polices as he or she deems necessary or expedient for the conduct of administrative services, and to revoke, suspend, or amend any rule, regulation or policy established by any officer, department head or other person in administrative service;
5. Shift Work. To temporarily direct any department or division of the city to perform work for any other department, division or office of the city;
6. Compensation Plan. To prepare and to recommend to the council, from time to time, desirable revisions of the compensation plan of the city;
7. Assist the Council. To attend meetings of the council and to report upon and discuss any matters concerning the affairs of the departments, services or activities under his or her supervision upon which, in his or her judgment, the council shall be informed, or upon which his or her views or opinions are requested by the council;
8. Carry Out Council Decision. To carry out, on behalf of the council, its policies, rules, regulations and laws relating to the administration of the affairs of the city, its departments, divisions and services;
9. Budget. To supervise the preparation of a detailed, proposed municipal budget and submit the same to the council on or before May 15th of each year, and to offer his or her recommendations as to such increases, decreases, cancellations, transfers, or changes in any of the items included in the proposed budget as in his or her judgment should be made before adoption of the budget after its final adoption; and to keep the council informed with respect thereto;
10. Public Improvements. To supervise public improvement projects and programs, and to aid and assist the council and the various departments, services, and offices of the city in carrying the same through to a successful conclusion;
11. Recommendations to the Council. To recommend to the council for adoption such measures and ordinances as he or she deems necessary or expedient;
12. Studies and Reports. To make such surveys, studies, reports and recommendations as he or she may deem desirable on any matter affecting the interest of the people or city as budgeted or as may be requested by the council;
13. Council Agenda. To supervise the preparation of the agenda for all regular, special, or adjourned meetings of the council in accordance with the laws establishing rules for the council meetings;
14. Other City Offices. To serve in any appointed office within the city government to which he or she may be qualified when appointed thereto by the council, and to hold and perform the duties thereof at the pleasure of the council and without further compensation except as expressly provided by the council at the time of such appointment or thereafter;
15. Mail. To supervise the receipt and opening of all mail addressed in whole or in part to the council, or the mayor or mayor pro tem by title only, and to give immediate attention thereto, to the end that all administrative business referred to in such communications, and not necessarily requiring action by the council, may be disposed of in an expeditious manner; provided, however, all actions taken pursuant to such communications shall be reported to the council at its next regular meeting thereafter or by separate communication to each member of the council;
16. Enforcement of Laws. To see to the enforcement within the city of the laws of the state and the city;
17. Contracts, Franchises, Permits and Licenses. To investigate and see to the faithful performance and observation of all contracts of the city and of all franchises, permits, licenses, and privileges granted by the city;
18. Citizens Complaints. To appropriately investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning the administration of city government; to adjust all proper grievances within the scope of authority provided by city laws and policies, and to report to the council all injustices suffered by reason of defects or omissions in the laws, policies, or practices of the city which he or she is not authorized to rectify;
19. Public Property. To exercise general supervision over all public buildings, public parks and other public property which is under the control and jurisdiction of the council, when the general supervision thereof is not specifically delegated to a particular officer;
20. Community Relations. To explain to the public the actions, purposes and policies of the city government;
21. Contracts. To execute in the name of the council and city any contract authorized or approved by the council unless the council expressly provided for another manner of execution of such contract; and
22. Owner Powers and Duties. To perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as are necessary, incident to the powers set forth in this section or as may be assigned or delegated to him or her from time to time, by action of the council. (Ord. 02-5 § 3 (part); Ord. 00-4 (part); prior code § 2.4.06)
2.12.070 Administrative relationships.
The council and its members shall deal with the administrative services of the city through the city manager, except for the purpose of inquiry to other departments for informational background. Department heads will receive council direction regarding his or her department from the manager. The city manager will receive his or her direction and instructions from the council as a body. An individual councilperson does not have the authority to order or instruct the city manager without prior approval of the council. (Prior code § 2.4.07)
2.12.080 Limitation imposed.
The city manager shall not establish general policy which is the province of the council to determine, nor shall he or she commit or bind the council, or any member thereof, to any action, plan or program requiring official council action. It is not intended by the provisions of this chapter to grant any authority to, or impose any duty upon the city manager, which is now, or hereafter may be vested in or imposed by general state law or any other city commission, departments, officer or employee. (Prior code § 2.4.08)
2.12.090 Standards of performance.
In the discharge of his or her duties, the city manager shall endeavor at all times to exercise the highest degree of tact, patience, and courtesy in his or her contacts with the public, with the council, and with all city commissions, boards, departments, officers and employees, and shall use his or her best efforts to establish and maintain a harmonious relationship among all personnel employed in the government of the city to the end that the highest possible standards of public service shall be continuously maintained. Pursuant to this goal, the city manager shall receive full cooperation of the city staff. (Prior code § 2.4.09)