The council shall appoint a City manager for an indefinite term and shall fix his compensation. The manager shall be chosen on the basis of the following qualifications:
A. 
He shall have served as a municipal manager or assistant manager for a minimum of three years.
B. 
He shall hold a B.A. degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, civil engineering or related fields.
In the event that a suitably qualified candidate (as prescribed in Subsection A or B above) is not readily available, council may appoint an acting manager on a temporary basis (for a period of time not to exceed 120 days from the effective date of either this charter or vacancy) while continuing to advertise in appropriate periodicals or journals for a qualified candidate. Council shall exert every effort to appoint a qualified manager as promptly and as expeditiously as possible.
Council, by an affirmative vote of five of its members may remove the manager at any time, with or without cause. Removal shall be effective no sooner than 30 days following the passage of a removal resolution. During this time, the manager may request a public hearing to state his case.
The manager need not be a resident of the City at the time of his appointment, but the manager must establish a permanent residence in the City within a period of time designated by council.
The City manager shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the City. He shall be responsible to the council for the administration of all City affairs placed in his charge. He shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
He shall appoint, suspend or remove all City employees, except as otherwise provided by law or this charter. He may authorize any administrative officer who is subject to his direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that officer's department, office or agency.
B. 
He shall make a report to council regarding the treasurer's compliance with the responsibilities as provided in Article IX of the charter.
C. 
He shall direct and supervise the administration of all departments, officers and agencies, except as otherwise provided by this charter or by law.
D. 
He shall attend all council meetings and shall have the right to take part in discussions, but shall not vote.
E. 
He shall prepare and submit the annual budget and capital expenditure program to the council.
F. 
He shall submit to the council and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City as of the end of each fiscal year.
G. 
He shall make such other reports as the council may require concerning the operations of City departments, offices and agencies subject to his direction and supervision.
H. 
He shall have the duty to preserve order in the City.
I. 
He shall have the duty to enforce the ordinances and regulations of the City.
J. 
He shall have the duty to sign such papers, contracts, obligations and documents that are properly presented to him as may be required by law.
K. 
He shall have the authority, when so designated by council, to represent the City in deliberations with other governmental bodies or agencies.
L. 
He shall have the authority subject to the final ratification of council, to negotiate intergovernmental cooperation agreements, pursuant to Section 5 of Article IX of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
M. 
He shall be the purchasing agent for the City.
N. 
The manager shall perform such other duties as are required by council.
Neither the council nor any of its committees or members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to or his removal from office or employment by the manager or any of his subordinates. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the council and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the manager, and neither the council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinate of the manager either publicly or privately.
The manager may designate, in writing, an employee of the City to exercise the duties of manager during his temporary absence or disability, subject to approval of the council. During such absence or disability, the council may revoke such designation at any time for cause and appoint another officer of the municipality to serve until the manager shall return or his disability shall cease.