Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Art. 2 City Manager

The office of full time City Manager is hereby established and created.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

The City Manager shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Council, and shall hold office for and during the pleasure of the Council. The City Manager shall be chosen by the Council solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to actual experience in, or knowledge of, accepted practices in respect to the duties of the office.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

The City Manager need not be a resident of the City.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

No Councilmember shall receive an appointment to the office of City Manager during that Councilmember’s term, nor within one (1) year after the expiration of their term.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

The Assistant City Manager shall serve as Manager Pro Tempore during any temporary absence or disability of the City Manager. In the event of the absence or disability of the City Manager and Assistant City Manager, the City Manager may designate up to two (2) qualified City employees to perform the duties of the City Manager during the period of absence or disability of the City Manager.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

The City Manager shall receive such compensation as the Council shall from time to time determine and fix by resolution.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

The City Manager shall be reimbursed for all sums necessarily incurred or paid by the City Manager in the performance of designated City duties or incurred when traveling on business pertaining to the City under the direction of the Council. Reimbursement shall only be made when a verified itemized claim setting forth the sums expended has been approved by the Council.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

Neither the Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the City Manager. The City Manager shall take orders and instructions from the Council, as a body, only when sitting in a duly held meeting of the Council, and no individual Councilmember shall give any orders or instructions to the City Manager. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent any Councilmember from discussing matters of the City with the City Manager and staff.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

It shall be the duty of all City officers to assist the City Manager in administering the affairs of the City efficiently, economically, and harmoniously so far as may be consistent with their duties as prescribed by the laws and regulations of the City.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

The City Manager shall attend all meetings of the Council unless excused therefrom or when removal is under consideration. City Manager may attend any and all meetings of the commissions, boards, or committees created by the Council. At such meetings the City Manager shall be heard by such commissions, boards, or committees as to all matters upon which the City Manager wishes to address the members thereof.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

The City Manager is authorized to award and execute any contract on behalf of the City where the value of the contract does not exceed the amount delegated to City Manager as specified in Section 3-10.108 or as directed by City Council pursuant to Section 2-1.213(i). In addition, in the event of an accident, disaster, or other circumstances creating a public emergency or urgency, the City Manager may award and execute contracts and make purchases for the purpose of meeting such emergency or urgency. The City Manager shall file promptly with City Council a report showing such emergency or urgency and the necessity for such action as required by this Code, together with an itemized account of all expenditures.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985; § 1, Ord. 1745-NS, eff. January 9, 2026)

The City Manager shall purchase all materials, supplies, services, and equipment for which funds are provided in the budget. No purchase shall be made, contract let, or obligation made for any item or service which exceeds the current budget appropriation without a supplemental appropriation by the Council. No expenditures shall be submitted or recommended to the Council except on the report and approval of the City Manager. The provisions of this section shall not apply to purchases required under a sealed bid presented to the Council.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

The City Manager shall be the administrative head of City government under the direction and control of the City Council. The City Manager is responsible for the efficient administration of all the affairs of the City under the City Manager’s control. In addition to the City Manager’s general powers as administrative head, and not as a limitation thereon, the City Manager shall also have the following powers and duties:

(a) City Clerk. The City Manager, or the City Manager’s designee, shall perform and fulfill the duties and obligations of the office of the City Clerk;

(b) Law enforcement. The City Manager, or the City Manager’s designee, shall enforce all laws and ordinances of the City and assure the proper performance of all franchises, contracts, permits, licenses, and privileges granted by the City Council;

(c) Reorganization of departments, offices and positions. Consolidate, combine, or reorganize departments, offices, positions, or units under the City Manager’s supervision as may be indicated in the interests of the efficient, effective, and economical conduct of the City’s business. With the approval of the City Council, the City Manager may be the head of one or more departments;

(d) Legislation recommendations. Recommend to the City Council for adoption such measures and ordinances as deemed necessary or expedient;

(e) Financial reports. Advise the City Council of the financial condition and requirements of the City;

(f) Budget. Prepare and submit the annual budget to the City Council and be responsible for its administration after adoption;

(g) Investigation. Investigate the operation and performance of the City and any department or division under the City Manager’s supervision, and investigate all complaints concerning the administration of the City government, the services maintained by public utilities in the City, and the franchises, permits, or privileges granted by the City;

(h) Supervision of public property. Exercise general supervision over all City-owned public buildings, City-owned public parks, City-owned public equipment, and other public property under the control and jurisdiction of the City Council; and

(i) Additional duties. Perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be delegated from time to time by City Council. The authority of the City Manager to perform such other duties and exercise such powers, including execution of contracts and other documents, on behalf of the City may be delegated by City Council by resolution, contractual provision, and/or vote action reflected in the official meeting minutes of City Council.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985; § 2, Ord. 1745-NS, eff. January 9, 2026)

The Council upon three (3) affirmative votes may remove the City Manager at its pleasure and without cause upon providing written notice of a termination date. Rights of the City Manager to severance pay and any other arrangements incident to termination shall be in accordance with any contractual arrangement entered into between the City Council and the City Manager at the time of or after his/her appointment by the Council that is not inconsistent with this section.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, the City Manager shall not be removed from office during a period of ninety (90) days next succeeding any general municipal election at which election a member of the Council is elected. This provision is to allow any newly elected member of the Council or a reorganized Council to observe the actions and ability of the City Manager in the performance of the powers and duties of that office. After the expiration of such period, the provisions of Section 2-1.214 shall apply.

(§ 1, Ord. 889-NS, eff. May 28, 1985)