Chapter 2.08 — CITY MANAGER

Footnotes: --- (2) ---

State Law reference— City manager form of government, Government Code § 34851—34859.

The city manager shall be appointed for an indefinite term and shall be removable at the pleasure of a majority of the members of the city council.

(Code 1972, § 2.08.010; Ord. No. 250, § 1, 1962)

(a)

The city manager shall be selected by the city council solely on the basis of his executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to his actual experience in or his knowledge of accepted practices of municipal administration.

(b)

No person shall be eligible to receive appointment as city manager or acting city manager while serving as a member of the city council nor within one year after he has ceased to be a city councilmember.

(Code 1972, § 2.08.020; Ord. No. 250, § 2, 1962)

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, which shall be conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties imposed on the city manager as prescribed in this chapter. Premium on said bond shall be paid by the city.

(Code 1972, § 2.08.030; Ord. No. 250, § 3, 1962)

In case of the absence or disability of the city manager, the city council may designate, under such terms and conditions as it may provide, some person to perform the duties of the city manager during the period of absence or disability of the city manager.

(Code 1972, § 2.08.040; Ord. No. 250, § 4, 1962)

The city manager shall receive such compensation as the city council shall from time to time determine. The city manager shall be reimbursed on itemized claim for all sums necessarily incurred or paid by him under direction or approval of the city council in the performance of his duties, or incurred or paid when traveling on business pertaining to the city under direction or approval of the city council.

(Code 1972, § 2.08.050; Ord. No. 250, § 5, 1962)

The city manager shall be the administrative head of the government of the city, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. 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 thereof, it shall be his duty and he shall have the power to:

(1)

See that all laws and ordinances of the city are duly enforced, all franchises, permits and privileges granted by the city are faithfully observed;

(2)

Prepare and submit a proposed annual budget and salary plan to the city council for its consideration and be responsible for the administration of the budget adopted by the city council;

(3)

Keep the city council at all times fully advised as to the financial conditions and needs of the city. He shall prepare monthly reports on financial conditions of the city for the city council and shall prepare and submit to the city council at the end of each fiscal year a comprehensive report on the finances and administrative activities of the city for the preceding fiscal year;

(4)

Make or authorize all purchases of materials, supplies, services and equipment for the city within existing appropriations. No expenditures shall be submitted or recommended to the city council by any department except on report and approval of the city manager;

(5)

Advise the city council on the advantages or disadvantages of contract and bid proposals;

(6)

Control, order and give directions to all officers (except the city attorney and city clerk), heads of department and to subordinate officers and employees of the city under his jurisdiction through their department heads;

(7)

Appoint, remove, transfer, promote or demote any officer or employee of the city (except the city attorney, city treasurer and city clerk), and inform the city council thereof;

(8)

Recommend to the city council any consolidation or reorganization of offices, positions or departments which might increase the efficiency, effectiveness or economical conduct of the city's business;

(9)

Investigate all complaints concerning the administration of the city government;

(10)

Attend all meetings of the city council unless excused therefrom by the council;

(11)

Recommend to the city council for adoption such measures and ordinances as he thinks desirable;

(12)

Prepare and keep current personnel policies and plans as approved by the city council;

(13)

Maintain sound public relations for the city government;

(14)

Develop and propose necessary public improvement projects and programs for the consideration of the city council;

(15)

Devote his entire time to the duties of his office and the interests of the city;

(16)

Exercise general supervision over city buildings, parks and other city property;

(17)

Attend meetings of city commissions, boards and committees upon his own volition or upon direction of the city council. At such meetings he shall be heard as to all matters upon which he wishes to address the members thereof, and he shall inform said members as to the status of any matter being considered by the city council and he shall cooperate with the members of such bodies;

(18)

Perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be delegated to him from time to time by the city council.

(Code 1972, § 2.08.060; Ord. No. 250, § 6, 1962; Ord. No. 493, § 1(part), 1979)

The city manager among other limitations shall have no power to:

(1)

Expend any sum of money, except in accordance with the approved budget or with prior approval of the city council;

(2)

Create or abolish any municipal office;

(3)

Increase or decrease the salary or emoluments of any city employee;

(4)

Sell, lease or encumber any real estate belonging to the city;

(5)

Grant, cancel or revoke any franchise;

(6)

Interfere in any way with the functions or commands of police or fire officers during any emergency or field operation.

(Code 1972, § 2.08.070; Ord. No. 250, § 7, 1962)

The city manager is forbidden to take any part in any city political campaign, or to take any part in securing contributions for any city political campaign or candidate.

(Code 1972, § 2.08.080; Ord. No. 250, § 8, 1962)

It is the intention of this chapter that 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. Councilmembers properly act as a group, not individually, in instructing the city manager.

(Code 1972, § 2.08.090; Ord. No. 250, § 9, 1962)