Costa Mesa Municipal Code Art. 1 Generally

The office of city manager is hereby created and established. The city manager shall be appointed by the city council solely on the basis of his or her executive and administrative qualifications and ability and shall hold office at and during the pleasure of the city council as provided for in section 2-224.5 of this Code.

(Code 1960, § 2300; Ord. No. 03-7, § 1, 6-16-03; Ord. No. 11-3, § 1, 3-1-11; Ord. No. 17-02, § 1, 1-17-17)

Residence in the city at the time of appointment as city manager shall not be required as a condition of appointment.

(Code 1960, § 2301)

No person elected to membership on the city council shall, subsequent to such election, be eligible for appointment as city manager until one year has elapsed after he has ceased to be a member of the city council.

(Code 1960, § 2301)

The city manager shall furnish a corporate surety bond to be approved by the city council in such sum as may be determined by the city council and shall be conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties imposed on the city manager as herein prescribed.

(Code 1960, § 2302)

In case of the absence or disability of the city manager, the assistant city manager shall act in his or her stead. If the assistant city manager is unable to act as manager, the city council may designate some duly qualified person to perform the duties of the city manager during the period of absence or disability of the city manager, subject, however, to said person furnishing a corporate surety bond conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties required to be performed as set forth herein.

(Code 1960, § 2303; Ord. No. 11-5, § 1, 4-19-11; Ord. No. 17-02, § 2, 1-17-17)

The city manager shall receive such compensation as the city council shall from time to time determine and fix, which compensation shall be a proper charge against funds of the city. The city council shall designate such funds.

(Code 1960, § 2304)

The city manager 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 the city under the 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 duly approved and allowed by the council.

(Code 1960, § 2304)

It shall be the duty of the city manager to devote his entire time to the duties and interests of the city.

(Code 1960, § 2318)

It shall be the duty of all subordinate officers, including the city clerk, the city treasurer and the city attorney to cooperate with and assist the city manager in administering the affairs of the city most efficiently, economically and harmoniously so far as may be consistent with their duties as prescribed by law and the ordinances of the city.

(Code 1960, § 2324)

The city council and its members shall deal with the administrative services of the city only through the city manager, except for the purpose of inquiry, and neither the city council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the city manager; provided, however, that the manager and the council may vary the provisions of this section by the establishment of contrary policies.

(Code 1960, § 2325)