Portola Municipal Code Ch. 2.04 City Manager

The office of city administrator is abolished and the office of the city manager is created. The city manager shall be appointed by the city council solely on the basis of his executive and administrative qualifications. No person elected to membership on the city council shall, subsequent to such election, be eligible for appointment as city manager until at least two years after service as a councilmember.

(Ord. 316 (part), 2006)

During the absence or disability of the city manager, the city council may designate some properly qualified person to perform the duties of the office of city manager.

(Ord. 316 (part), 2006)

The city shall furnish a surety company bond in such sum as may be determined by the city council.

(Ord. 316 (part), 2006)

The city manager shall receive such salary and other compensation as the city council shall from time to time determine and fix by resolution or contract.

(Ord. 316 (part), 2006)

The city council shall appoint the city manager for an indefinite term, and may remove him by a majority vote of its members. The procedure for the removal of the city manager shall be by contract, or, in the absence of a contract, by resolution. The city council shall appoint a new city manager within a reasonable time thereafter, and must exercise due diligence in naming a successor.

(Ord. 316 (part), 2006)

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 by ordinance, to perform the functions and duties specified in this chapter and other duties and functions as the council shall from time to time assign. He shall be responsible to the city council for the efficient administration of all the affairs of the city which are under his control. In addition to the city manager's general powers as administrative head, and not as a limitation thereon, it shall be his duty and he shall have power as follows:

A. To see that all laws and ordinances are duly enforced;

B. To employ, discipline, or remove all heads of departments and all subordinate officers and employees of the city; to transfer employees from one department to another; and to consolidate or combine offices, positions, departments, or units under his jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this section shall apply, however, to the city attorney, city clerk, or city treasurer; or planning commission;

C. To exercise control over all departments of the city government and over all appointive officers and employees thereof, except as provided in this section;

D. To attend all meetings of the council and its committees unless excused therefrom by the city council or the committee;

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 advised as to the financial conditions and needs of the city, and at least quarterly shall submit a financial report;

G. Prepare the budget annually and submit it to the city council, and be responsible for its administration after adoption;

H. Prepare and submit to the 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;

I. To prepare and recommend to the city council a salary plan;

J. To purchase all supplies for all of the departments or divisions of the city; and no expenditure other than that authorized by this code shall be submitted or recommended to the city council except upon report or approval of the city manager;

K. To make investigations into the affairs of the city or any department or division thereof, or any contract, or the proper performance of any obligation running to the city;

L. To investigate all complaints in relation to all 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;

M. To exercise general supervision over all public buildings, public parks, streets, and other public property under the control and jurisdiction of the city council;

N. To prepare and submit to the city council an organizational chart showing the organization plan for all departments of the city government;

O. To issue on behalf of the city council all licenses and permits not otherwise provided for by ordinance;

P. To superintend the construction of all public work done by the city;

Q. To devote his entire time to the duties and interests of the city;

R. To perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be delegated by ordinance or resolution of the city council. The city manager shall not participate in any city political activities or politics.

(Ord. 316 (part), 2006)

Except for the purposes of inquiry, the city council and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the city manager, and neither the city council nor any member of the city council shall give orders to any of the subordinates of the city manager.

(Ord. 316 (part), 2006)

Neither the city council nor any of its members shall demand the appointment of any person to, or exercise their influence in the appointment of any person to, or his removal from, office by the city manager or by any of his subordinates, or in any manner take part in the appointment or removal of officers and employees in the administrative service of the city other than by suggestions to the city manager. Neither the city council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinate of the city manager either publicly or privately.

(Ord. 316 (part), 2006)

There is retained to the city council the sole power of being the policy-making and legislative body for the city, and the duties and powers of the city manager are expressly confined to the administrative service of the city.

(Ord. 316 (part), 2006)

All references to the city administrator in the Portola Municipal Code shall be deemed to be references to the city manager.

(Ord. 316 (part), 2006)