ARTICLE VII
THE CITY MANAGER

Section 701 Powers and Duties

The City Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the city, may head one or more departments, and shall be responsible to the City Council for the proper administration of all affairs of the City. The City Manager shall serve at the pleasure of the council and may be removed by an affirmative vote of four (4) of its members. To that end, the Manager shall have the power and shall be required to:

(a)    Appoint and, when necessary for the good of the City, suspend or remove other applicable officers and employees of the city except as otherwise provided by the City Charter or applicable law. The City Manager may authorize the head of a department or office to appoint, suspend, or remove subordinates in such department or office.

(b)    Prepare the budget annually and submit it to the Council together with a message describing the important features and be responsible for its administration after adoption.

(c)    Prepare and submit to the Council as of the end of the fiscal year a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City Council for the preceding year.

(d)    Keep the Council advised of the financial condition and future needs of the City, and make such recommendations as may be deemed desirable.

(e)    Recommend to the governing body a standard schedule of pay for each appointive office and position in the City service, including minimum, intermediate, and maximum rates.

(f)    Recommend to the governing body (from time to time), adoption of such measure as may be deemed necessary or expedient for the health, safety, or welfare of the community or for the improvement of administrative services.

(g)    Consolidate or combine offices, positions, departments, or units under his/her jurisdiction, with the approval of the City Council. The City Manager may be the head of one or more departments.

(h)    Attend all meetings of the City Council unless excused there from and take part in the discussion of all matters coming before the Council. The Manager shall be entitled to notice of all regular and special meetings of the Council.

(i)    Supervise the purchase of all materials, supplies, and equipment for which funds are provided in the budget; let contracts necessary for operation or maintenance of the City services as provided in the City Code.

(j)    See that all laws and ordinances are duly enforced.

(k)    Investigate the affairs of the City or any department or division thereof. Investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning the administration of the government of the City, and in regard to service maintained by the public utilities in the City, and see that all franchises, permits, and privileges granted by the City are faithfully observed.

 

(l)    Devote his/her entire time to the discharge of all official duties unless otherwise authorized by the Council.

(m)    Perform such other duties as may be required by the Council, not inconsistent with the City Charter, law, or ordinances.

Section 702 Council Not to Interfere with Appointments or Removals

Neither the Council nor any of its members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or removal from, office by the City Manager or any of the manager’s subordinates, or in any manner take part in the appointment or removal of officers and employees in the administrative services of the City. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the Council and its members shall deal with the administration solely through the City Manager and neither the Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the City Manager, either publicly or privately.

Section 703 Emergencies

In case of accident, disaster, or other circumstance creating a public emergency, the City Manager may award contracts and make purchases for the purpose of meeting said emergency; but the manager shall file promptly with Council a certificate showing such emergency and the necessity for such action, together with an itemized account of all expenditures.

Section 704 Compensation

The City Manager shall receive such compensation as the Council shall fix from time to time by ordinance or resolution.

Section 705 Absence of the City Manager

The City Manager shall designate by letter filed with the City Clerk and Mayor, a qualified employee of the City to perform the duties of the office during any temporary absence or disability. In the event of failure of the City Manager to make such designation, the Council may by resolution appoint a qualified employee of the City to perform the duties of the office until the return or cessation of disability of the City Manager.