Chowchilla Municipal Code Ch. 2.08 Administrative Officer

The position of administrative officer of the city is created and established in the city. The administrative officer shall be appointed by the city council solely on the basis of his executive and administrative qualifications and ability, and shall hold office at and during the pleasure of the city council.

(Ord. 239-73 § 1 (part), 1973: prior code § 2-60)

Residence in the city of Chowchilla at the time of appointment shall not be required as a condition of employment; however, residence in the city shall be established within six months after the acceptance of an appointment to this position.

(Ord. 239-73 § 1 (part), 1973: prior code § 2-61)

No member of the city council shall be eligible for appointment as administrative officer until one year has elapsed after such council member have ceased to be a member of the city council.

(Ord. 239-73 § 1 (part), 1973: prior code § 2-66)

The city council shall appoint the administrative officer for an indefinite term, and may remove him at any time by a majority vote of the entire city council.

(Ord. 239-73 § 1 (part), 1973: prior code § 2-64)

The administrative officer shall secure a corporate surety bond, to be approved by the city council, in such sum as may be determined by the city council, and such bond shall be conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties imposed on the administrative officer as herein prescribed, such bond fee to be paid by the city.

(Ord. 239-73 § 1 (part), 1973: prior code § 2-62)

In case of the absence or disability or suspension of the administrative officer, the city council may designate some duly qualified person to perform the duties of the administrative officer during the period of absence, disability, or suspension of said administrative officer, subject, however, to said person furnishing a corporate surety bond and conditioned on faithful performance of the duties required to be performed as set forth in Section 2.08.080 of this chapter.

(Ord. 239-73 § 1 (part), 1973: prior code § 2-63)

A. The administrative officer, or such person designated to perform his duties as provided in Section 2.08.060, shall receive such compensation as the city council shall from time to time determine and fix, and said compensation shall be a proper charge against such funds of the city that the city council shall designate.

B. The administrative officer shall be reimbursed for all sums necessarily incurred or paid by him in the performance of his duties, or incurred when traveling on business pertaining to said city under direction of the city council; reimbursement shall only be made, however, when a verified itemized claim, setting forth the sums expended for which reimbursement is requested, has been presented to the city council, and by the city council duly approved and allowed.

(Ord. 239-73 § 1 (part), 1973: prior code § 2-65)

The administrative officer shall be the administrative head of the city government under the direction and control of the city council, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. He shall be responsible for the efficient administration of all the affairs of the city which are under his control. In addition to his general powers as administrative head, and not as a limitation thereon, it shall be his duty and he shall have the power:

A. To see that all laws and ordinances of the city are duly enforced, and that all franchises, permits and privileges granted by the city are faithfully observed;

B. To analyze the functions, duties and activities of the various departments, divisions and services of the city government and of all employees thereof and to make such recommendations to the city council with reference thereto as in his judgment will result in the highest degree of efficiency in the overall operation of the city government;

C. To exercise control over all departments of the city government and over all officers and employees thereof, except elective officers and their respective staffs, and to recommend to the city council the appointment of, or the removal of all such officers or employees of the city;

D. To attend all meetings of the city council, city planning commission and other such commissions that may be appointed by the city council, unless excused therefrom;

E. To recommend to the city council for adoption such measures and ordinances as he deems necessary or expedient;

F. To keep the city council at all times fully advised as to the financial conditions and needs of the city;

G. To cause to be prepared and submitted to him by each department, division or service of the city government, itemized annual estimates of income and expenditures required by any of them for capital outlay, salaries, wages and miscellaneous operating costs; to tabulate the same into a preliminary consolidated municipal budget and submit the same to the city council before the first regular meeting in May of each year with his recommendations as to such changes which he deems advisable;

H. To prepare and to submit to the city council as of the end of the fiscal year a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the city for the preceding year, such financial report not to be confused with the city clerk's report to the State Controller;

I. To purchase or cause to be purchased, in accordance with the purchasing ordinance, all supplies for all departments or divisions of the city;

J. To make investigation into the affairs of the city, and any department or division thereof, and any contract, or the proper performance of any obligations of the city;

K. To investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning the administration of the city government and in regard to the service maintained by public utilities in the city;

L. To exercise general supervision over all public buildings, public parks and other public property which is under the control and jurisdiction of the city council;

M. To devote his entire time to the duties of his office and the interest of the city;

N. To provide leadership for civic movements designed to benefit the residents of the city when so authorized by the city council;

O. To supervise in general the operations of all departments of the city, securing special counsel as required;

P. To compile and keep up to date, a complete inventory of all property, real and personal, owned by the city and to recommend to the city council the purchase of new machinery, equipment and supplies whenever in his judgment the same can be obtained at the best advantage, taking into consideration trade-in value of machinery and equipment, etc., in use;

Q. In addition to the elective officers and their respective staffs, when said members of the staff are acting in the capacity of a deputy to such elective officer, the planning commission, the position of city attorney and the position of city engineer shall be excluded from the scope of the administrative officer's surveillance; however, the services and facilities of the city attorney, the city engineer and the planning commission shall be made available to the administrative officer;

R. To perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be delegated to him from time to time by ordinance or resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 239-73 § 1 (part), 1973: prior code § 2-67)

A. Default Signatory—Mayor. Consistent with Government Code Section 40602, the mayor shall sign:

1. All warrants drawn on the city treasury;

2. All written contracts and conveyances made or entered into by the city; and

3. All instruments requiring the city seal, except as otherwise provided in this Section.

B. Delegation to the City Administrator. Pursuant to Government Code Section 40602, the city administrator is authorized to sign the following instruments on behalf of the city:

1. Contracts, agreements and amendments not previously authorized by city council obligating city funds up to and including one hundred thousand dollars per contract.

2. Grant-related documents including applications, compliance forms, certifications, budget documents, correspondence, and reporting forms, following city council approval of the primary grant award or acceptance of funds.

3. Right-of-entry permits, license agreements, temporary construction easements, and similar non-dispositive real property instruments previously approved by the city council or determined by the city administrator to be necessary for city operations.

4. Warrants, checks, and financial instruments issued pursuant to the adopted city budget, approved contracts, or other city council-authorized expenditures.

5. Emergency contracts and instruments necessary to protect life, health, safety, property, or essential services, in accordance with Public Contract Code Section 22050, subject to city council ratification.

C. Instruments Reserved for the Mayor. Notwithstanding subsection B, the following instruments shall be signed by the mayor unless the city council specifically directs otherwise:

1. Contracts and agreements exceeding the city administrator's signature authority limit;

2. Development agreements, disposition and development agreements, and franchise agreements;

3. Long-term leases or conveyances of real property interests;

4. Any contract or instrument that the city council expressly directs the mayor to sign;

5. Any instrument requiring the city seal that, in the city administrator's judgment, should be executed by the Mayor due to policy significance or public visibility.

D. Mayor Pro Tem Acting in Mayor's Absence. During any period in which the mayor is unavailable or unable to act, the mayor pro tem shall exercise the signature authority described in this section.

E. Execution Requirements. Prior to signing any contract or instrument under this section, the city administrator shall ensure that:

1. Funds have been appropriated or authorized by the city council;

2. The document has been reviewed and approved as to form by the city attorney, unless exempt under city policy; and

3. All applicable procurement and administrative procedures have been satisfied.

F. Reporting. The city administrator shall provide the city council with a quarterly report summarizing all instruments executed under this section that have a fiscal impact.

(Ord. No. 536-26, § 1, 2-24-2026)