Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code Ch. 2.02 City Manager

The office of the City Manager of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita is hereby established. The City Manager shall be appointed by the City Council. The City Manager shall hold office at the pleasure of the City Council. 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 such person has ceased to be a member of the City Council.

(Ord. No. 00-18, § 1(2.20.010), 5-18-2000)

The City Manager shall appoint, subject to approval of the City Council, one of the other officers or department heads of the City to serve as Manager Pro Tempore during any temporary absence or disability of the City Manager. In case of absence or disability of the City Manager and his or her failure to appoint a Manager Pro Tempore, the City Council may designate a City employee to perform the duties of the City Manager during the period of absence or disability of the City Manager.

(Ord. No. 00-18, § 1(2.20.020), 5-18-2000)

The City Manager shall receive such compensation and reimbursement for expenses as the City Council shall from time to time determine and fix, and said compensation shall be a proper charge against general funds of the City or as against such funds as may be indicated by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 00-18, § 1(2.20.030), 5-18-2000)

The City Manager shall be the administrative head of the City under the direction and control of the City Council, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. The City Manager shall be responsible for the efficient administration of all the affairs of the City that are under the City Manager's control and for implementing policy as set by the City Council. In addition to the general duties and powers as administrative head, and not as a limitation thereon, it shall be the City Manager's duty and the City Manager shall have the power:

(1) 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.

(2) To appoint, remove, promote, and demote any City officer or employee, except the City Attorney.

(3) To supervise and direct all department heads, officers and employees, except the City Attorney.

(4) To attend all meetings of the City Council and its committees unless excused therefrom by the City Council.

(5) To recommend to the City Council for adoption such measures or ordinances as the City Manager deems necessary or expedient.

(6) To keep the City Council at all times fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the City.

(7) To prepare and submit to the City Council the annual budget and to administer it after adoption.

(8) To purchase or cause to be purchased all materials, supplies, services and equipment for all of the departments or divisions of the City. No purchase shall be made, contract let, or obligation for any item or service which exceeds the current budget appropriation, without a supplemental appropriation by the City Council. No expenditure shall be submitted or recommended to the City Council except on report to and approval of the City Manager.

(9) 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, to remedy all meritorious grievances within the scope of authority provided by the City ordinances and policies, and to report to the Council all injustices suffered by reason of defects or omissions in the laws, policies, or practices of the City which he/she is not authorized to rectify.

(10) To exercise general supervision over all public buildings, streets, and other public property that are under the control and jurisdiction of the City Council.

(11) To devote his or her time as required by the duties and interest of the City.

(12) To make reports and recommendations as may be desirable or as requested by the City Council.

(13) To serve in any appointed office or as head of a department within the City government to which the City Manager 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.

(14) To perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be delegated from time to time by ordinance or resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. No. 00-18, § 1(2.20.040), 5-18-2000)

The City Manager shall be an ex-officio member of all Boards and Commissions appointed by the Mayor or the City Council pursuant to law, with a right to participate in all deliberations or actions by voice but without vote.

(Ord. No. 00-18, § 1(2.20.050), 5-18-2000)

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. 00-18, § 1(2.20.060), 5-18-2000)

The City Manager shall not establish policy that is the province of the Council to determine, nor shall he/she bind the City to any action, plan or program requiring official Council action.

(Ord. No. 00-18, § 1(2.20.070), 5-18-2000)

In case of accident, disaster, or other circumstances creating a public emergency, the City Manager may in accordance with the City's disaster preparedness plan, award contracts and make purchases for the purpose of meeting such emergency. The City Manager shall file promptly with the City Council a certificate showing such emergency and the necessity for such action, together with an itemized account of all expenditures.

(Ord. No. 00-18, § 1(2.20.080), 5-18-2000)