Los Altos Municipal Code Ch. 2.01 City Manager

The office of the city manager is created and established. The city manager shall be appointed by the council wholly on the basis of administrative and executive ability and qualifications. The city manager shall hold office at the pleasure of the council.

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011)

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

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011)

The city manager shall receive such compensation and expense allowances as the council shall from time to time determine and as provided for in his or her written agreement for services with the city.

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011)

The city manager shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred by him or her in the performance of his or her official duties.

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011)

The city manager may designate a qualified city administrative officer to exercise the powers and perform the duties of manager during his or her temporary absence or disability. The council shall appoint an acting or interim city manager when the office becomes vacant.

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011)

The city manager shall be the administrative head of the government of the city under the direction and control of the council except as otherwise provided in this chapter. The city manager shall be responsible for the efficient administration of all affairs of the city which are under his or her control. In addition to his or her general powers as administrative head, and not as a limitation thereon, and except as otherwise provided for in a written agreement for services with the city, he or she shall be expected to, and shall have the power to:

A.

Enforce all laws and ordinances of the city and to see that all franchises, contracts, permits and privileges granted by the council are faithfully observed;

B.

Appoint, remove, promote, demote, evaluate and manage any and all officers and employees of the city, except elective officers and the city attorney, subject to all applicable personnel rules and regulations which the city manager amends, revises and administers and, on behalf of the city, prepare and enter into separation agreements with officers and employees;

C.

Serve as the personnel officer as defined in the Personnel System Ordinance and resolutions;

D.

Control, order and give direction to all department heads who are subject to his or her appointment and removal authority, and to employees of the city under his or her jurisdiction through their department heads;

E.

Establish at-will positions that serve at the pleasure of the city manager. Incumbents in such positions have no probationary period, may be dismissed without cause, and have no right to appeal their dismissal or any other disciplinary action. This section expressly supersedes and replaces any conflicting terms or provisions in the City's Personnel Ordinance No. 260;

F.

Conduct studies and effect such organization and reorganization of offices, positions or units under his or her direction as may be indicated in the interest of efficient, effective and economical conduct of the city's business;

G.

Recommend to the council for adoption such measures and ordinances as he or she deems necessary;

H.

Attend all regular meetings of the council unless excused therefrom by the mayor or the council;

I.

Prepare and submit a proposed annual, biennial or longer term budget and a proposed annual salary plan to the council for its approval;

J.

Direct and supervise all the purchasing activities of the city;

K.

Keep the council at all times fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the city;

L.

Make investigations into the affairs of the city and any department or division thereof and any contract or the proper performance of any of the obligations of the city; and further, 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;

M.

Exercise general supervision over all public buildings, public parks and all other public properties which are under the control and jurisdiction of the council;

N.

Have the same authority as the mayor, as conveniences to the parties may dictate, to sign documents specified in Section 40602 of the Government Code of the state whenever such documents have been approved by the council for execution by resolution, motion, minute order or other appropriate action; and

O.

Perform such other responsibilities and exercise such other powers as may be delegated to him or her from time to time by ordinance or resolution or other official action of the council.

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011; Ord. No. 2021-476, § 1, 6-22-2021)

A.

The council and its members shall deal with the administrative services and staff functions of the city only through the city manager, except for the purpose of inquiry, and neither the council nor any member thereof shall give direction or instruction to any subordinates of the city manager. For purposes hereof, "inquiry" means any and all communications short of giving orders, directions or instructions to any member of the administrative staff. Such members shall give all information reasonably requested by any councilmember.

B.

The city manager shall take his or her orders and instructions from the council only when sitting in a duly convened meeting of the council and no individual councilmember shall give any direction or instruction to the city manager. The council shall instruct the city manager in matters of policy. Any action, determination or omission of the city manager shall be subject to review by the council. The council may not overrule, change or modify any such action, determination or omission except by the affirmative vote of at least three members of the council.

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011)

It shall be the duty of all employees and the city attorney to assist the city manager in administering the affairs of the city efficiently, economically and harmoniously.

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011)

The city manager may attend any and all meetings of the planning commission, and any other commission, board or committee created by the council, upon his or her own volition or upon direction of the council. At such meetings which the city manager attends, he or she shall be heard by such commissions, boards or committees as to all matters upon which he or she wishes to address the members thereof.

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011)

The removal of the city manager shall be effected pursuant to the conditions of his or her agreement for services with the city.

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as a limitation on the power or authority of the council to enter into any supplemental written agreement with the city manager delineating additional terms and conditions of employment not inconsistent with any provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2011-366, § 2, 3-22-2011)