Lomita Municipal Code Ch. 2 City Manager

The office of the city manager of the City of Lomita is hereby created and established.

(Ord. No. 699, § 1, 4-2-07)

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. 699, § 1, 4-2-07)

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

(Ord. No. 699, § 1, 4-2-07)

In case of the absence or disability of the city 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 said city manager, 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 2-2.03 herein.

(Ord. No. 699, § 1, 4-2-07)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 699, § 2, adopted April 2, 2007, repealed § 2-2.05, which pertained to removal.

The city manager 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 and the city council shall designate such funds.

Said 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 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 said city council duly approved and allowed.

The city council may, when it deems appropriate in the public interest, provide the city manager with living accommodations in the City of Lomita. The said living accommodations may be provided in any manner not prohibited by law, including, but not limited to, the purchase and leasing of property, or the advancement or loan of funds under certain conditions to be specified in a written agreement.

(Ord. No. 353, § 1, 7-18-83; Ord. No. 699, § 1, 4-2-07)

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 Code. 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 the laws of the State of California pertaining to the city and 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 appoint, promote, discipline, demote or remove all heads of departments and subordinate officers and employees of the city except the city attorney and the city treasurer and to transfer employees from one department to another. Prior to exercising the authority to appoint, promote, discipline, demote or remove the head of a department, the city manager must report the proposed action to the city council and provide justification for taking such action. If the city manager determines, in his or her discretion, that it is not feasible to report to the city council prior to taking action, the action must be reported to the city council as soon as a report is feasible. The city manager shall recommend to the city council the consolidation or combination of offices, positions, departments or units under his or her jurisdiction, and the creation of new positions as needed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the city manager's action to appoint or remove the city clerk shall be subject to city council ratification by a majority vote. The city clerk shall otherwise be under the direct supervision of the city manager for all other purposes.

(c) To exercise control over and to supervise in general all departments and divisions of the city government and all appointive officers and employees thereof except the city attorney and the city treasurer.

(d) To attend all meetings of the city council and its committees unless excused therefrom by the city council.

(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 prepare and submit to the city council the annual budget and to administer it after adoption.

(h) To prepare and to recommend to the city council a Salary Plan.

(i) To purchase or cause to be purchased all supplies for all of the departments or divisions of the city. No expenditure shall be submitted or recommended to the city council except upon report or approval of the city manager.

(j) To make investigations into the affairs of the city and any department or division thereof, and any contract or the proper performance of any obligation pertaining to the city.

(k) To investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning the administration of the government of the city 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 observed.

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

(m) To devote his efforts unremittingly to the duties and interests of the city.

(n) To act as local director of civilian defense, however, these duties may be delegated to other persons or individuals.

(o) To make reports and recommendations as may be desirable or as requested by the city council.

(p) To serve in any appointed office or head of department within the city government to which he may be qualified when appointed thereto by the city council and to hold and perform the duties thereof at the pleasure of the city council.

(q) 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. No. 699, §§ 1, 2, 4-2-07; Ord. No. 766, § 1, 5-19-14)

The city manager shall be an ex-officio member of all boards and commissions appointed by the mayor or city council pursuant to law with a right to participate in all deliberations or actions by his voice but without vote.

(Ord. No. 699, § 1, 4-2-07)

It shall be the duty of all subordinate officers and of the city clerk, the deputy 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 of Lomita.

(Ord. No. 699, § 1, 4-2-07)

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 members thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the city manager.

(Ord. No. 699, § 1, 4-2-07)