Chapter 2.04 — DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY

The city manager shall create or abolish the various operating departments, subject to formal approval by the city council. The title of the head of each department, who shall be an officer appointed by the city manager, and the functions and duties to be performed by each department shall be determined by the city manager. (Prior code 2-3.02; Ord. 1467 § 1, 1968; Ord. 1771-75 § 1; Ord. 1849-77 § 1; Ord. 1983-80 § 1; Ord. 2085-83 §§ 1, 2; Ord. 2112-84 § 1; Ord. 2471-94 § 1; Ord. 2540-96 § 1)

In addition to such other duties and responsibilities as may be designated by the Charter of the city, this code, or the city council, the office of the city manager shall perform and be charged with the duties of general budget policy administration and general city policy management, general research and systems development, administrative management, community relations, public information and volunteer program administration.

The assistant city manager shall report directly to the city manager and, in addition to his or her responsibilities as director of the department of management support services, shall serve as a member of the office of the city manager and perform such responsibilities of that office as may be designated by the city manager. (Ord. 2112-84 § 2; Ord. 2085-83 § 4)

A department of law is hereby established and created for the city of Sunnyvale, the head of which shall be the city attorney who shall be appointed by and accountable to the city council. The department of law shall perform the legal duties and activities contained in the Charter of the city of Sunnyvale and the statutes of the state of California, or as hereafter amended, and such other legal duties as the city council may require or direct from time to time. (Prior code § 2-3.02; Ord. 1467 § 1, 1968)

(a) All claims and actions against the city or any officer or any employee thereof shall be filed, served and processed in accordance with applicable state law. All claims shall be filed with the city clerk.

(b) Pursuant to Section 935.4 of the Government Code of California, the city manager or the manager's designee shall be authorized to accept, settle or reject without prior approval of the council, claims against the city, provided that no allowance, compromise or settlement shall exceed fifty thousand dollars. Upon the written order of the city manager or the manager's designee, the director of finance shall cause to be issued a warrant upon the treasury of the city in the amount for which a claim has been allowed, compromised or settled.

(c) The city manager or the manager's designee is further authorized to compromise or settle, without prior approval of the council, except on a matter of policy, any actions in which the

city is the plaintiff, provided that the amounts of such compromise or settlement shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars. (Ord. 2006-81 § 1; Ord. 2095-84 § 1; Ord. 2339-90 § 1; Ord. 2629-99 § 1)