Watsonville Municipal Code Art. VII The City Manager

SECTION 700 CITY MANAGER.

There shall be a City Manager who shall be the chief executive officer and head of the administrative branch of the City government. The City Manager shall be chosen on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to actual experience in, or knowledge of, accepted practices with respect to the duties of the office as hereinafter set forth. Candidates for City Manager shall have a minimum of one (1) year previous experience as a City Manager or two (2) years previous experience as an Assistant City Manager, or a minimum of five (5) years of senior level municipal management experience in a public service setting with extensive experience working with City Council or County Board of Supervisors.

No member of the Council shall be eligible for appointment to the office of City Manager during their term nor within one (1) year thereafter. [§ 700 Amended by voter petition initiative on 11/5/24. Measure W]

SECTION 701 APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL.

The Council shall appoint the City Manager for an indefinite term and may remove such person by a resolution adopted by at least four (4) affirmative votes. [§ 701 Amended by voter petition initiative on 11/5/24. Measure W]

SECTION 702 COMPENSATION.

The City Manager shall be paid a salary commensurate with the responsibilities as chief executive officer of the City which salary shall be established by the Council. [§ 702 Amended by voter petition initiative on 11/5/24. Measure W]

SECTION 703 POWERS AND DUTIES.

The City Manager shall be responsible to the Council for the proper administration of all affairs of the City. Without limiting the foregoing general grant of powers, responsibilities and duties, the City Manager shall have power and be required to:

(a) Take a continuing interest in the effectiveness and economy of all administrative arrangements throughout the City;

(b) Insure that administrative activities with which two (2) or more departments are concerned are effectively coordinated;

(c) Appoint, suspend and/or remove, subject to the personnel provisions of this Charter, all department heads, officers and employees of the City except those department heads and officers appointment of whom is vested in the Council. The City Manager may authorize the head of any department or office to appoint or remove subordinates in such office;

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

(e) Prepare and submit to the Council as of the end of the fiscal year a comprehensive report on the finances and administrative activities of the City for the preceding year;

(f) Make and execute contracts on behalf of the City involving expenditures budgeted or appropriated by the Council, subject to such rules or regulations as may be adopted by the Council by ordinance or resolution;

(g) Regularly meet with and communicate with a Council Members on various topics or agenda items, if requested by the Council Member;

(h) Keep the Council advised of the financial condition and future needs of the City and make such recommendations on any matter as may seem desirable;

(i) See that the laws of the State pertaining to the City, the provisions of this Charter and the ordinances of the City are enforced;

(j) Submit a monthly report to the Council covering significant activities of City agencies, offices and departments and any significant changes in administrative rules and procedures;

(k) Submit special reports in writing to the Council in answer to any requests for information when requested by the Council;

(l) Act as Director of Emergency Services pursuant to Watsonville Municipal Code section 4-2.03, as may be amended from time to time; and

(m) Perform such other duties consistent with this Charter as may be required by the Council. [§ 703 Amended by voter petition initiative on 11/5/24. Measure W]

SECTION 704 PARTICIPATION IN OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS.

The City Manager shall be accorded a seat at the Council table and at all meetings of boards and commissions and shall be entitled to participate in their deliberations but shall not have a vote. The City Manager shall attend all regular and special meetings of the Council unless physically unable to do so or unless upon prior approval for such absence from the Council. [§ 704 Amended by voter petition initiative on 11/5/24. Measure W]

SECTION 705 CITY MANAGER PRO TEMPORE.

The City Manager shall appoint, subject to the approval of the Council, one of the other officers or department heads of the City to serve as City Manager Pro Tempore during the temporary absence or disability of the City Manager. If the City Manager fails to make such an appointment, the Council shall designate an officer of the City to serve as City Manager Pro Tempore during the absence or disability of the City Manager.