The City Council shall appoint a Manager for an indefinite term and fix the compensation annually. The Manager shall be appointed solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications for the duties of the office. Prior to the appointment, the Manager shall be qualified by at least one year's special training in public administration and finance, and by at least three years of successful experience in a responsible executive position in governmental administration, or by any equivalent training or combination of experience and training sufficient to indicate capacity for effective governmental administration. The Manager may reside outside the City during the tenure of the office only with the approval of the City Council.
The City Council may remove the Manager from office in accordance with the following procedures:
(a) 
The City Manager may be suspended by a Resolution approved by a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the City Council which shall set forth the reasons for suspension and proposed removal. A copy of such Resolution shall be served immediately upon the City Manager. The City Manager shall have 15 days in which to reply thereto in writing, and upon request, shall be afforded a public hearing, which shall occur not earlier than 10 days nor later than 15 days after such hearing is requested. After the public hearing, if one is requested, and after full consideration, the City Council by a two-thirds majority vote of its total membership may adopt a final Resolution of removal. The City Manager shall continue to receive full salary until the effective date of a final Resolution of removal.
(b) 
Upon adoption of a final Resolution of removal, the departing City Manager shall be paid any unused accrued leave time. In addition, the City Council may provide a financial severance package to the departing City Manager.
By letter filed with the City Clerk/Treasurer, the City Manager shall designate subject to approval of the City Council, a qualified City employee to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the City Manager during the Manager's temporary absence or disability. The City Council may revoke such designation at any time and appoint another qualified individual to serve until the City Manager returns.
The Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the City, and shall be responsible to the City Council for the administration of all City affairs placed in the Manager's charge by or under this Charter. Except as otherwise provided in the Consolidated Laws of the State of New York, any reference in the Consolidated Laws to the chief executive officer of the City of Canandaigua shall mean the Manager, and the Manager shall be the chief executive officer of the City for all said purposes. The City Manager shall:
(a) 
See that all laws, provisions of this charter, acts of the City Council, and all State laws subject to enforcement by City action, are faithfully enforced and executed.
(b) 
Have, exercise, and perform all functions, powers and duties vested by State or Local Law or Ordinance in the chief administrative officer of the City, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by this Charter.
(c) 
Represent the City and assert its proper interest in relation to the State and other political subdivisions, and with respect to municipal contracts and franchises.
(d) 
Appoint and, when the City Manager deems it necessary for the good of the City, suspend or remove any City employee and appointive administrative officers provided for by or under this Charter, except as otherwise provided by law, this Charter or personnel rules adopted pursuant to this Charter, and shall authorize any administrative officer who is subject to the City Manager's direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that department, office or agency.
(e) 
Attend all meetings of the City Council with the right to take part in the discussions, but without the right to vote.
(f) 
Serve as chief financial officer of the City.
(g) 
Serve as the personnel officer of the City.
(h) 
Prescribe and enforce a general accounting system for the City government and each of its offices, departments and agencies.
(i) 
Provide for the exercise of budgetary control for each separate appropriation account; establish procedures and practices for the pre-auditing and control of all City revenues and expenditures; provide for the safety and investment of all City funds; provide for the management of the City debt; develop policies to safeguard the City's financial interest in the fullest extent.
(j) 
Prepare the current expense and revenue estimates for the annual budget in cooperation with department heads.
(k) 
Compile the capital expenditure estimates for the annual budget.
(l) 
Keep the City Council advised of the financial condition of the City; make reports to the City Council as requested by it; and at least once a year make an annual report to City Council and the citizens on the administration of the City government.
(m) 
Study the governmental and administrative operations and needs of the City government, and prepare and recommend to the City Council necessary and desirable plans and programs to meet present and foreseeable needs.
(n) 
Assign and transfer administrative functions, powers and duties among and within departments, as the best interest of the City may appear, subject to the Charter and Local Law.
(o) 
Delegate to department heads such powers as may be deemed necessary for efficient administration.
(p) 
Develop and implement a program of annual evaluation of all City employees for the purpose of maintaining and improving employee performance.
(q) 
Perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter or may be required by the City Council.