Richmond Municipal Code Art. IV Duties of Officers

Sec. 1. (Amended at election April 14, 1953) City Manager. (a) The City Manager shall be chosen by the Council solely on the basis of his executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to his actual experience in, or his knowledge of, accepted practice in respect to the duties of his office as hereinafter set forth. At the time of his appointment, he need not be a resident of the City or State, but during his tenure of office he shall reside within the City.

(b) The City Manager shall be the chief executive officer and the head of the administrative branch of the City Government. He shall be responsible to the Council for the proper administration of all affairs of the City and to that end, subject to the personnel provisions of this Charter, he shall have power and shall be required to:

(1) Appoint and, when necessary for the good of the service, remove all department heads and employees of the City except as otherwise provided by the provisions pertaining to Personnel Administration of this Charter and except as he may authorize the head of a department to appoint and remove subordinates in such department;

(2) Prepare the budget annually and submit it to the Council and be responsible for its administration after adoption;

(3) 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;

(4) Keep the Council advised of the financial condition and future needs of the City and make such recommendations as may seem to him desirable;

(5) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Charter or required of him by the Council, not inconsistent with this Charter.

(c) To perform his duties during his temporary absence or disability, subject to the approval of the Council, the Manager may designate, by letter filed with the City Clerk, a qualified administrative officer of the City. In the event of failure of the Manager to make such designations, the Council may, by resolution, appoint a department head of the City to perform the duties of the Manager until he shall return or his disability shall cease.

Sec. 2. Clerk. It shall be the duty of the Clerk to keep a true record of the proceedings of the Council and record the same in proper books kept for that purpose. He shall have power to administer oaths in connection with all matters relating to the municipality.

Sec. 3. Attorney. The Attorney shall act as the legal adviser of the Council and any officer of the City who requests his advice. He shall prepare all ordinances and contracts whenever required so to do by the Council. He shall prosecute all violators of the City ordinances and shall represent the City in all actions.

Sec. 4. The Council may require any or all of the above officers to give official bonds in such sums as it may deem proper, and the City shall pay all premiums upon surety bonds when such bonds are given. It may provide for the appointment of such deputies and assistants as may be required, and shall fix the compensation of all officers and such deputies and assistants. All of the above officers shall perform such other services as the Council may require and serve during its pleasure.