Signal Hill Municipal Code Ch. 2.04 Administrative Officer

Sections:

* Prior code Ch. 2.08, from which the provisions of this chapter are derived, contained the following historical footnote: "Prior ordinance history: Ordinance 537."

The administrative officer of the city shall be referred to as city manager. The use of the title of city manager shall mean the administrative officer of the city.

(Ord. 74-7-731 § 1: Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.140)

The office of administrative officer of the city is created and established. The administrative officer shall be appointed by the city council wholly on the basis of his or her administrative and executive ability and qualifications and shall hold office for and during the pleasure of the city council.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.010)

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

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.030)

The administrative officer shall furnish a corporate surety bond to be approved by the city council in such sum as may be determined by the city council and shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties imposed upon the administrative officer as prescribed in this chapter. Any premium for such bond shall be a proper charge against the city.

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.040)

A. The assistant administrative officer shall serve as administrative officer pro tempore during any temporary absence or disability of the administrative officer.

B. In the event there is no assistant administrative officer, the city council shall designate a qualified person to exercise the powers and perform the duties of administrative officer during his or her temporary absence or disability.

C. In the event the administrative officer’s absence or disability extends over a six-month period, the city council may, after a six-month period, appoint an acting administrative officer.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.050)

A. The administrative officer shall receive such compensation and expense allowances as the city council shall from time to time determine, and the compensation and expenses shall be a proper charge against such funds of the city as the city council shall designate.

B. In addition, the administrative officer shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred by him or her in the performance of his or her official duties, including those incurred when traveling on business pertaining to the city. Reimbursement shall only be made, however, when an itemized claim, setting forth the sums expended for such business for which reimbursement is requested, and has been presented to and approved by the city council.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.060 (part))

The administrative officer shall be the administrative head of the government of the city under the direction and control of the city council. He or she shall be responsible for the efficient administration of all the 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. It shall be his or her duty and he or she shall have the powers set forth in Sections 2.04.090 through 2.04.210.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070 (part))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer as representative of the city council to enforce all laws and ordinances of the city and to see that all franchises, contracts, permits, and privileges granted by the city council are faithfully observed.

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(a))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer and he or she shall have the authority to control, order, and give directions to all department heads, to all contractual employees except the city attorney, to all consultants, and to subordinate officers and employees of the city under his or her jurisdiction through their department heads.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(b))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer to, and he or she shall appoint, remove, promote, and demote any and all officers and employees of the city except the city clerk, city attorney, and city treasurer and other officers and employees whose appointment, removal, promotion and demotion are reserved to the city council, subject to all applicable personnel ordinances, rules and regulations.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 83-03-903 § 1: Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(c))

It shall be the duty and responsibility of the administrative officer to conduct studies and effect such administrative 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.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(d))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer to, and he or she shall recommend to the city council for adoption such measures and ordinances as he or she deems necessary.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(e))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer to attend all meetings of the city council unless excused therefrom by the mayor individually or city council as a whole, except when his or her removal is under consideration.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(f))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer to keep the city council at all times fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the city.

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(g))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer to prepare and submit the proposed annual operating budget, the capital improvement budget, and the proposed annual salary plan to the city council for its approval.

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(h))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer and he or she shall be responsible for the purchase of all supplies for all the departments or divisions of the city. No expenditures shall be submitted or recommended to the city council except on report and approval of the administrative officer.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(i))

* For provisions regarding the duties of the purchasing officer, see § 3.20.020 of this code.

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer to make investigations into the affairs of the city and any department or division thereof, and any contract or the proper performance of any obligations of the city. Further, it shall be the duty of the administrative officer 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.

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(j))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer to, and he or she shall exercise general supervision over all public buildings, public parks and all other public property which are under the control and jurisdiction of the city council.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(k))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer to devote his or her entire time to the duties of his or her office and in furthering the interests of the city.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(l))

It shall be the duty of the administrative officer to perform such other duties 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 city council.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.070(m))

The city council and its members shall deal with the administrative services of the city only through the administrative officer, except for the purpose of inquiry.

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.080)

It shall be the duty of all subordinate officers and the city clerk, city treasurer and city attorney to assist the administrative officer in administering the affairs of the city efficiently, economically, and harmoniously.

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.090)

The administrative officer may attend any and all meetings of the planning commission, parks and recreation commission, civil service commission, and any other commissions, boards, or committees created by the city council, upon his or her own volition or upon direction of the city council. At such meetings which the administrative officer 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, and he or she shall inform the members as to the status of any matter being considered by the city council, and he or she shall cooperate to the fullest extent with the members of all commissions, boards, or committees appointed by the city council.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.100)

A. The removal of the administrative officer shall be effected only by a majority vote of the whole council as then constituted, convened in a regular council meeting.

B. On termination of employment of the administrative officer by reason of involuntary removal from service other than for misconduct in office, the administrative officer shall receive ninety days' written notice prior to such termination.

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code §§ 2.08.060 (part), 2.08.110)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.04.250, the administrative officer shall not be removed from office, other than for misconduct in office, during or within a period of ninety days next succeeding any general municipal election held in the city at which election a member of the city council is elected. The purpose of this provision is to allow any newly elected member of the city council or a reorganized city council to observe the actions and ability of the administrative officer in the performance of the powers and duties of his or her office. After the expiration of the ninety-day period, the provisions of Section 2.04.250 as to the removal of the administrative officer shall apply and be effective.

(Ord. 2023-11-1545 § 19, 2023; Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.120)

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

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.130)

To the extent that any provision of this chapter clearly conflicts with the provision of any chapter, this chapter shall control.

(Ord. 70-5-659 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.08.150)