Chapter VI
PROHIBITIONS

6.01 Holding Other Office.

Except where authorized by law, no elected official shall hold any other elected public office or any other City office or employment. No former elected official shall hold any compensated appointive office or employment with the City until one year after the expiration of their final term in office. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit elected officials from selecting any current or former elected official to represent the City on the governing board of any regional or other intergovernmental agency.

6.02 Appointments and Removals.

Elected officials, acting jointly or independently, shall not, in any manner, control or demand the appointment or removal of any City administrative officer or employee whom the City Manager or any subordinate of the City Manager is empowered to appoint, but the elected officials may express their views and fully and freely discuss with the City Manager anything pertaining to appointment and removal of such officers and employees. Nothing herein shall prohibit the City Manager from seeking the advice and/or consent of the Council on the appointment or removal of an administrative officer or employee.

6.03 Interference with Administration.

Except for inquiries relating to City services made as a private citizen, elected officials shall deal with employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the City Manager solely through the City Manager, and shall not make inquiries to, or investigations of, or give orders to any such employees, neither publicly nor privately.

6.04 Overspending of Appropriations.

No payment shall be made or obligation incurred against any allotment or appropriation except in accordance with budget appropriations duly made and unless the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee first certifies that there is a sufficient unencumbered balance in such allotment or appropriation and that sufficient funds therefrom are or will be available to cover the claim or meet the obligation when it becomes due and payable. Any authorization of payment or incurring of obligation in violation of this paragraph shall be void and any payment so made illegal. Any violation of this provision shall be cause for removal of any employee or elected official who knowingly authorized or made such payment or incurred such obligation. Such person shall also be liable to the City for any amount so paid. Except where prohibited by law, however, nothing in this Charter shall be construed to prevent the making or authorizing of payments or making of contracts for capital improvements to be financed wholly or partially by the issuance of bonds or to prevent the making of any contract or lease providing for payments beyond the end of the fiscal year.