Fairfield Municipal Code Art. II City Manager

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 executive and administrative qualifications and ability and shall hold office at and during the pleasure of the city council.

(Ord. No. 16 [1952], § 1; Ord. No. 65-3, § 1)

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

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.

(Ord. No. 16 [1952], § 2; Ord. No. 65-3, § 1)

In case of an approved absence of the city manager, the city manager may designate a city employee to serve as acting city manager, performing the duties of city manager, during his or her absence.

In case of an unapproved absence of the city manager that is not the result of disability or in case of an absence resulting from disability of the city manager, the persons holding the offices designated below, in the order listed, shall assume the duties and obligations of the city manager until such time as the City Council appoints a new or acting/interim city manager. The person holding the offices named below shall only assume the city manager’s duties if the person holding the office above them on the list is unavailable to assume such duties.

The list of offices is as follows:

1. Assistant City Manager.

2. Assistant to the City Manager.

In the event that the persons listed above are not available or cannot assume the duties of the city manager, the City Council shall appoint an acting city manager.

(Ord. No. 16 [1952], § 4; Ord. No. 65-3, § 1; Ord. No. 98-7, § 1; Ord. No. 2010-06, § 1)

The city council shall appoint the city manager and may remove the city manager by a four-member vote. At least thirty days before such removal shall become effective, the city council shall by a four-member vote of its members adopt a preliminary resolution stating the reason for removal. By the preliminary resolution the council may suspend the city manager from duty, but shall in any case cause the city manager to be paid forthwith any unpaid salary balance and the monthly salary of the city manager shall continue to be paid for the next calendar month following the month of the adoption of the preliminary resolution. The city council, in removing the city manager, shall use its uncontrolled discretion and its action shall be final.

(Ord. No. 16 [1952], § 5; Ord. No. 65-3, § 1; Ord. No. 2023-01, § 1)

Notwithstanding the provisions of the chapter, the city manager shall not be removed from office during or within a period of ninety days next succeeding any general municipal election at which election a member of the city council is elected. The purpose of this provision is to allow any newly elected member to the city council or a reorganized city council to observe the actions and ability of the city manager in the performance of the powers and duties of his office. After the expiration of the ninety days the provisions of the preceding section as to the removal of the city manager shall apply and be effective.

(Ord. No. 16 [1952], § 6; Ord. No. 65-3, § 1)

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

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 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.

(Ord. No. 16 [1952], § 7; Ord. No. 65-3, § 1)

The city manager 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. 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 responsibility for:

(a) Keeping council informed. The city manager shall, at all times, keep the council fully informed of major issues facing the city so as to allow the mayor and councilmembers to fulfill their roles as policymakers and spokespersons for the city. As part of these duties, the city manager shall inform the council of major issues involving the city which will be reported in the press.

(b) Enforcement of laws, franchises, etc. To see that all laws and ordinances of the city are duly enforced and that all franchise permits and privileges granted by the city are faithfully observed.

(c) To keep the city council at all times fully advised as to the financial conditions and needs of the city. The city manager shall report every six months, or more frequently as needed, on the financial condition of the city to allow the council to take corrective action if necessary and to insure the financial stability of the city’s fiscal position.

(d) Scope of authority. Supervising, ordering and giving directions to all heads of departments, subordinate officers and employees of the city, except elected officers and their respective staffs. To transfer employees from one department to another and to consolidate or confine offices, positions, departments or units under his direction.

(e) Appointments and removals; exceptions. To appoint and remove any officers and employees of the city except the elected officers.

(f) Departments, appointive officers and employees. To supervise all departments of the city government and over all appointive officers and employees thereof, except elective officers and their respective staffs.

(g) Attendance at council meetings. To attend all meeting of the city council unless excused therefrom by the city council, except when his removal is under consideration by the council.

(h) Recommending ordinances; etc. To recommend to the city council for adoption such measures and ordinances that are necessary.

(i) Annual budget. To prepare and submit to the city council the annual budget.

(j) Annual reports, finances and activities. 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 city clerk’s report to state controller.

(k) Purchase supplies. To purchase or cause to be purchased all supplies for all the departments or division of the city.

(l) Investigation of city affairs, contracts and obligations. 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. The city council will receive prompt notification of the results of any such investigation affecting the operations of the City which are not required to be kept confidential.

(m) Investigating complaints, franchises, permits and privileges. 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 and to see that all franchises, permits and privileges granted by the city are faithfully performed and observed.

(n) Supervision of public buildings, parks, etc. To exercise general supervision over all public buildings, public parks and other public property which are under the control and jurisdiction of the city council.

(o) Devoting time to duties. Except as authorized by the city council, to devote his entire time to the duties of his office and the interest of the city.

(p) Providing leadership for civic movements. To provide leadership for civic movements designed to benefit the residents of the city when so authorized by the city council.

(q) Supervision of departments; special counsel. To supervise in general the operations of all departments of the city, securing special counsel as required.

(r) Capacity as personnel director. To act as personnel director until the council shall establish a separate office therefor.

(s) Superseded by Ordinance No. 75-22.

(t) Additional delegated duties and responsibilities. To perform such other duties and exercise such other responsibilities as may be delegated to him from time to time by ordinance or resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 16 [1952], § 8; Ord. No. 65-3, § 1; Ord. No. 75-22; Ord. No. 83-10, § 1; Ord. No. 96-5, § 1; Ord. No. 98-1, § 2)

The city council and its members shall interact with the administrative employees through the city manager, except for the purpose of inquiry and neither the city council nor any members thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the city manager.

(Ord. No. 96-5, § 2)

It shall be the responsibility of the city council and its members to aid and assist in an advisory capacity, any department head, individually or collectively on any phase of policy or public relations. The council will have the option to discuss and determine the effectiveness of these relationships with the city manager on an annual basis.

(Ord. No. 96-5, § 3)