Davis Municipal Code Art. 2.03 City Manager

There is hereby created the office of city manager. The city manager shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the city council and shall be chosen solely on the basis of his or her executive and administrative qualifications.

(Ord. 379 § 1; Ord. 2648 § 5, 2023)

Subject to policy prescribed by the city council, the city manager shall have the power and it shall be his or her duty:

(a) To supervise the administrative affairs of the city, except as otherwise specifically provided herein.

(b) To make such recommendations to the city council concerning the affairs of the city as he or she may deem desirable, including the proposal of ordinances and resolutions he or she finds necessary for effective management or in the public interest.

(c) To keep the city council advised of the financial condition and future needs of the city.

(d) To see that the ordinances of the city and the applicable laws of the state are enforced.

(e) To appoint, discipline and remove all officers and employees of the city under his or her jurisdiction.

(f) To act as purchasing agent for the city and all of its agencies.

(g) To investigate the operations of departments and other agencies of the city, and of all contracts to which the city is a party, and to assure proper performances.

(h) To investigate complaints concerning utility operations and to see that all permits, privileges and franchises granted by the city are faithfully performed.

(i) When directed by the city council, to represent the city in its intergovernmental relations, and to negotiate contracts for joint governmental actions subject to city council approval.

(j) To exercise general supervision over all public property under control of the city.

(k) To attend all meetings of the city council unless excused, and such meetings of boards and commissions as he or she chooses, or which he or she is directed to attend by the city council, and participate in discussions at such meetings.

(l) To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution of the city council.

(m) To prescribe such general rules and regulations as he or she may deem necessary or expedient in the general conduct of the administrative departments under his or her jurisdiction.

(n) To devote full time to the duties of the office and to the interests of the city.

(Ord. 379 § 1)

The city manager shall have jurisdiction over all departments and agencies of the city, except the city attorney's and any advisory bodies directed by the city council to report to it. The heads of the administrative departments under the city manager shall be directly responsible to the manager for the efficient administration of their respective departments. The city manager may designate acting department heads when necessary to assure the continuity of the city's business; or he or she may personally act as the head of any department.

(Ord. 379 § 1)

The city manager, after notification to the city council, shall designate one of the other officers of the city to serve as city manager pro tempore if the city manager is absent or unable to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

(Ord. 379 § 1; Ord. 2390 § 8, 2012)

Except for purpose of inquiry, neither the city council nor any of its members shall deal with any department of the city under the jurisdiction of the city manager by any means except through the city manager.

(Ord. 379 § 1)