Chapter 2.10
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Sections:
2.10.020 Appointment and removal.
2.10.010 Office created.
There is created for the city of Othello the office of city administrator. (Ord. 1515 § 1 (part), 2018: Ord. 883 § 2, 1992).
2.10.020 Appointment and removal.
The city administrator shall be appointed by the mayor subject to confirmation by a majority of the city council, unless the city council has voted by majority vote that the mayor shall perform the duties identified herein of the city administrator. When appointed, the city administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor and may be removed by the mayor, subject to approval by a majority vote of the city council. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code or any other personnel policies or rules of the city to the contrary, the city administrator serves at the will of the city.
If the city council has voted by majority vote that the mayor shall perform the duties of the city administrator, then:
(a) A city administrator shall not be appointed, and any currently appointed city administrator shall be removed from that position as soon as reasonably possible under the then existing circumstances;
(b) The mayor shall be responsible for performing all duties identified in this chapter of the city administrator in addition to the duties of the mayor’s office;
(c) The mayor shall remain responsible for performing all duties of the city administrator until either (1) the mayor is removed from office, resigns his position as mayor, or fails to become reelected as mayor, or (2) the city council has voted by majority vote to have a city administrator appointed;
(d) The mayor’s compensation (including salary and benefits) shall be established by the independent salary commission of the city (see Chapter 2.42 et seq.);
(e) In every provision of the city code (or any contract to which the city is a party) which identifies (1) an action the city administrator is authorized or required to take, or (2) notice or information required or permitted to be delivered to the city administrator, then such provision shall apply to the mayor;
(f) The city council may hold a vote at any public city council meeting to have a city administrator appointed so long as notice has been published as required by applicable law;
(g) When the mayor has been removed from office, resigned from his position as mayor, or has failed to be reelected as mayor, and there shall be any passage of time before a new mayor takes office, then the city’s finance director shall perform the duties of the city administrator until such time as a new mayor takes office; and
(h) When the city council has voted by majority vote to have a city administrator appointed, then the city’s finance director shall perform the duties of the city administrator until such time as a city administrator is appointed. (Ord. 1515 § 1 (part), 2018: Ord. 921 § 2, 1994: Ord. 883 § 3, 1992).
2.10.030 Scope of authority.
When a city administrator has been appointed, the city administrator shall be the administrative and liaison officer for the city, under the direction and authority of the mayor. The city administrator shall assist the mayor in the performance of his duties and shall do all things required of him by the mayor and the city council to assist in the administration of city government. (Ord. 1515 § 1 (part), 2018: Ord. 883 § 4, 1992).
2.10.040 Powers and duties.
The city administrator (or mayor if the city council has voted to have the mayor perform the city administrator duties—i.e., not appoint a city administrator) shall have the following specific duties, powers and responsibilities, in addition to others provided in this chapter or otherwise:
(a) Under the direction and authority of the mayor, the city administrator shall supervise, administer and coordinate the activities and functions of the various city offices, departments, commissions and boards in carrying out the requirements of the city ordinances and the policies of the city council, and administer and supervise the carrying out of the decisions, regulations and policies of the various city departments, commissions and boards;
(b) Regularly report to the mayor concerning the status of all assignments, duties, projects and functions of the various city offices, departments, commissions and boards;
(c) In cooperation with the financial officer, assist in the preparation by the mayor, and subsequent submission to the council, of the annual budget and be responsible for its administration after adoption;
(d) Supervise and audit all expenditures by the various city offices, departments, commissions and boards, for the purpose of keeping the same within the limitations of the annual budget for the city, so much as is possible;
(e) Act as personnel director, being responsible for all personnel records, employee benefits, management, payroll processing and all related tax reports; attend all union negotiation meetings and record all transactions of such meetings;
(f) Supervise all purchasing by the various city offices, departments, commissions and boards;
(g) Attend all meetings of the city council and such other meetings as may be requested by the mayor;
(h) Recommend for adoption by the mayor and city council such measures as deemed necessary or expedient in the running of the business of the city;
(i) In cooperation with the city financial officer, keep the mayor and city council fully advised of the financial condition of the city and its future needs and assist in the preparation and submission to the mayor and council of any reports necessary for the expedient running of the business of the city;
(j) Investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning the administration of the government of the city and in regard to the services maintained by public utilities in the city, and see that all franchises, permits and privileges granted by the city are faithfully observed;
(k) Assist the police chief, building inspector, planning department and any and all other departments of the city in administrating all ordinances subject to licensing, taxing and inspections of buildings and developments within the city;
(l) Act as grants administrator and project manager on all public works and capital improvement projects. (Ord. 1515 § 1 (part), 2018: Ord. 1201 § 1, 2005: Ord. 883 § 5, 1992).
2.10.050 Qualifications.
The city administrator shall be a resident of the city of Othello unless such residence is waived by the city council by a motion or in the administrator’s contract of employment. (Ord. 1515 § 1 (part), 2018: Ord. 1323 § 1, 2010: Ord. 883 § 6, 1992).
2.10.060 Salary and benefits.
The salary of the administrator shall be established by the city council in its annual budget process. (Ord. 1515 § 1 (part), 2018: Ord. 883 § 7, 1992).