The purpose of this article is to enable the Borough to function
under accepted principles of the Council-Manager form of government.
The Council shall be responsible for determining legislative policy
and appointing a Borough Manager who shall be responsible for supervising
and conducting the administrative affairs of the Borough in a professional,
nonpartisan manner. It is the intent of this article to delegate to
the Borough Manager all of the nonlegislative and nonjudicial powers
and duties of the Borough Council as authorized by Section 1141 of
the Borough Code.
The position of Borough Manager is hereby created. The Manager
shall be appointed for an indefinite term by a majority of all the
members of the Council, who shall fix the amount of compensation.
The Council shall enter into an employment agreement with the Manager,
setting forth the terms and conditions of employment.
The Borough Manager shall be chosen solely on the basis of administrative
qualifications, with special reference to training and/or experience
in municipal management. The Manager need not be a resident of the
Borough or state at the time of appointment but may reside outside
the Borough while in office only with the approval of the Council.
The Borough Manager shall be the chief administrative officer
of the Borough and shall be responsible to the Council as a whole
for the proper administration of Borough affairs. The duties of the
Manager shall include the following:
A. To be responsible to the Council for carrying out all policies and
programs established by the Council.
B. To direct and supervise the administration of all departments and
functions of the Borough except as otherwise provided by ordinance
or law.
C. To appoint and, when deemed necessary, suspend, remove or otherwise
discipline all Borough employees under the Manager's supervision
on the basis of merit system principles or, in the case of police
officers, by the civil service provisions of the Borough Code. This subsection shall not apply to the Auditor, Borough
Solicitor or Borough Engineer. All appointments and disciplinary action
that occur at the department head level shall be discussed with the
Council prior to any action being taken.
D. To make such recommendations to the Council concerning policy formulation
as deemed desirable.
E. To prepare and submit the annual budget to the Council, together
with such explanatory comments as deemed desirable, and administer
the approved budget.
F. To keep the Council and public informed as to the conduct of Borough
affairs.
G. To see that all laws and acts of the Council, subject to enforcement
by the Manager or employees under the Manager's supervision,
are faithfully observed.
H. To prepare the agenda and attend all meetings of the Council with
the right to take part in discussion but not to vote.
I. To negotiate and sign contracts for the Borough, subject to approval
by the Council.
J. To perform such other duties as are designated by the Council.
The Mayor is hereby authorized to delegate to the Borough Manager
any of his nonlegislative and nonjudicial powers and duties.
It is the intent of this article that the Council act as a body
in all administrative matters except those of a ministerial nature
performed by the President of the Council. It is contrary to the spirit
of this article for individual members of the Council or for committees
of the Council to interfere with the Manager or with any authorized
employee of the Borough in the performance of his duties. The Council
and all members thereof shall deal with administrative matters solely
through the Manager. However, nothing shall prevent the Council from
establishing a committee of its own members to review the operations
and legislative needs of the Borough departments or from assigning
its members to liaison relationships with boards, commissions and
authorities.
Whenever the Manager declines to resign at the request of the
Council, the Manager may be removed from office in accordance with
the following procedure: At least 30 days before such removal shall
become effective, the Council shall, by a majority vote of all its
members, adopt a preliminary resolution stating the specific reasons
for removal. The Manager may reply, in writing, and may request a
public hearing, which shall be held not earlier than 20 days nor later
than 30 days after the filing of such request. After such public hearing,
if one is requested, and after full consideration, the Council, by
a majority vote of all its members, may adopt a final resolution of
removal. By the preliminary resolution the Council may suspend the
Manager from duty but shall in any case pay the Manager any unpaid
salary and salary and benefits for such additional time as may be
specified in the employment agreement. This section shall not apply
when the Manager is suspended or removed because of malfeasance or
misfeasance or following a conviction of any felony or misdemeanor.
The Manager may designate, in writing, a qualified employee
to serve as Acting Borough Manager during the temporary absence or
disability of the Manager. The Council, by a majority vote, may at
any time revoke such designation and may appoint a qualified employee
to serve as Acting Manager.
[Added 4-12-1988 by Res.
No. 2-88]
The Borough Manager is to have full powers and authority as
a Code Enforcement Officer of the Borough of Ridley Park for the purpose
of enforcing and administering Borough ordinances.
[Added 4-12-1988 by Res.
No. 3-88]
The Borough Manager is hereby appointed Deputy to the Building
Inspector and Assistant to the Building Inspector of Ridley Park Borough.
[Added 4-12-1988 by Res.
No. 4-88]
The Borough Manager is hereby appointed Assistant Zoning Officer
of the Borough of Ridley Park to enforce and administer the zoning
ordinances of Ridley Park Borough.