[Amended 6-7-2016 by L.L.
No. 1-2016]
A.
Departments. The Common Council may establish or abolish City departments,
offices, or agencies in addition to those created by this Charter
and may prescribe the functions of all departments, offices, and agencies.
B.
Personnel system. All appointments and promotions of City employees
shall be made solely on the basis of merit and fitness demonstrated
by examination or other evidence of competence, and according to the
provisions and requirements of the Civil Service Law.
C.
Salaries. The City Administrator shall recommend salaries of all
department heads, nonelected, and nonunion personnel for Common Council
approval.
[Amended 11-17-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
D.
Employment positions. The Mayor and Common Council shall approve
in advance the creation of all employment positions within the City.
The City Administrator shall provide the Common Council with the position
title, rate of pay, description of duties to be performed, and the
planned date of hire.
[Amended 11-17-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
[Amended 6-7-2016 by L.L.
No. 1-2016]
A.
Constituted. There shall be a Department of Finance, the head of
which shall be the Director of Finance, which shall be responsible
for the management and disbursement of all City revenues and other
assets.
B.
Role. The Director of Finance shall be the chief fiscal officer of
the City. The Director shall administer the financial affairs of the
City and shall have the following powers and duties:
(1)
Draft the annual budget based on department budget requests and revenue
estimates.
(2)
Supervise and be responsible for the disbursement of all moneys and
have control over all expenditures as provided in this Charter, to
insure that budget appropriations are not exceeded.
(3)
Have custody of all moneys belonging to the City, and keep accounts
in conformance with a uniform system of accounts formulated and prescribed
by the State Comptroller.
(4)
Collect all taxes, special assessments, and other revenues of the
City or for whose collection the City is responsible, and receive
all moneys receivable by the City from the state or federal government,
or from any court, or from any office, department, or agency of the
City.
(5)
Have custody of all investments and invested funds of the City, or
in possession of such City in a fiduciary capacity, except as the
Common Council may provide by resolution for custody by a different
escrow or as may be required by general law.
(6)
Submit to the City Administrator and Common Council a monthly statement
of all receipts and disbursements in sufficient detail to show the
financial condition of the City.
[Amended 11-17-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
(7)
Process all special assessments for the City, refer same to the Assessor
for inclusion in the assessment and tax roll or separate roll, and
give notice of taxes and assessments as may be required by law.
(8)
Deposit regularly all moneys received and belonging to the City to
accounts in one or more banks or trust companies designated by the
Common Council.
(9)
File in the office of the City Clerk within 120 days after the end
of the fiscal year a balance sheet and a statement showing in detail
all revenues and expenditures during the previous fiscal year and
the outstanding indebtedness of the City at the end of the fiscal
year. The Director of Finance shall, within 10 days, cause to be published
in the official newspaper, either a notice that the annual financial
statement has been filed and is available for inspection or a summary
of such statement in a form approved by the State Comptroller, with
an endorsement that details of the full statement are on file in the
office of the City Clerk.
(10)
Submit written reports of the fiscal affairs of the City as directed
by the Mayor or the Common Council in such form as it may require,
and file said report in the Office of the City Clerk.
(11)
Perform such other duties not inconsistent with the duties of office
as may be determined by resolution of the Common Council.
C.
Check signing. In the absence or inability of the Director of Finance
and the Deputy Director of Finance, the Common Council may, by resolution,
determine that the Mayor and/or City Administrator shall sign checks
and a copy of such resolution shall be notice to the depository of
such authorization.
[Amended 11-17-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
D.
The purchasing agent:
(1)
Shall purchase and be responsible for the proper receipt of all materials
and supplies, including those on which bids are obtained after publication
of legal notices.
(2)
May sell, under the direction and control of the Common Council,
all property of the City, real and personal, not needed for public
use and authorized to be sold.
(3)
Shall have charge of all storerooms and warehouses of the City maintained
and designated as storage space for all materials and supplies belonging
to the City.
(4)
Shall establish and maintain a current inventory account.
(5)
Shall prepare and be responsible for the publication of advertisements
for bid for all purchase contracts and public works contracts for
all City departments, as authorized by the Common Council and in accordance
with the following procedures:
(a)
The City Engineer or other authorized representative shall provide
technical assistance and guidance in the preparation of the advertisements
for bid and the contract documents.
(b)
The purchasing agent or a designee shall publicly open and read
all bids received at the time and place specified in the advertisements
for bid.
(c)
The issuance of plans and specifications and the receipt of
mailing fees, deposits, bid bonds, certified checks, contract bonds,
and other related action shall be the responsibility of the purchasing
agent unless otherwise provided by the Common Council.
(d)
The purchasing agent and, where necessary or appropriate, the
City Engineer or other authorized representative shall review the
bids to determine the lowest responsible bidder so that a recommendation
for an award can be made.
(e)
When an award is made by the Common Council, the purchasing
agent shall arrange for the execution of the contract documents by
the successful bidder and the Mayor.
A.
Constituted. There shall be a Department of the City Clerk, the head
of which shall be the City Clerk.
B.
Term. The City Clerk shall hold office for an indefinite term and
may be removed for just cause upon recommendation of the City Administrator
by a majority vote of the Common Council.
[Amended 11-17-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
C.
Role. The City Clerk shall:
(1)
Perform the functions and discharge the powers and duties of the
City Clerk pursuant to law.
(2)
Act as the Clerk for the Common Council and for the Board of Public
Service, Parks and Recreation Board, and City of Oneonta Planning
Commission, and keep a journal of all proceedings and a record of
the minutes of all meetings of these respective boards and commissions
and of the Common Council.
(3)
Keep and maintain the original authenticated copies of all resolutions,
ordinances, and local laws. At the close of each year, s/he shall
compile or codify and bind all local laws, ordinances, and resolutions,
or true copies thereof, in books to be provided for that purpose with
the advice and assistance of the City Attorney. The City Clerk shall
properly index such books, compilations, and codifications. This record,
or a copy duly certified by the City Clerk, shall be presumptive evidence
in all courts and places, and in all actions and proceedings, of the
due and proper passage of any such local law, ordinance or resolution.
(4)
Issue licenses and permits under authority of the Common Council
or of a City Clerk pursuant to this Charter, the City Code, or other
applicable law. The City Clerk shall keep a record of each application
and license, if issued, the party to whom issued, and the fee paid.
The City Clerk shall turn over all fees to the Director of Finance
on a regular basis.
(5)
Serve as the Registrar of Vital Statistics.
(6)
Have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by this Charter,
local law, or ordinance.
A.
Constituted. There shall be a Department of Law, the head of which
shall be the City Attorney.
B.
Role. The City Attorney shall be the legal adviser for all officers,
agencies, and boards and commissions of the City. S/he shall prosecute
and defend all actions and proceedings by and against the City and
every department thereof, and perform such other professional services
relating to the City as the City Administrator or Common Council may
direct. The City Attorney shall prepare all legal papers, contracts,
deeds, and other instruments for the City and all City officers, departments,
agencies, boards, and commissions.
[Amended 11-17-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
C.
Transition. The City Attorney shall, at the expiration of the term
of office, deliver to the succeeding City Attorney, as soon as qualified,
the record or register of all suits or proceedings in which the City
or any of its departments may be a party and also all the papers on
the part of the City therein, and also sign stipulations substituting
such successor as Attorney for the City to such suits or proceedings
to the end that an order may be entered making such substitution.
D.
Collected costs. All costs in litigated cases, wherein the City is
successful, shall belong to the City, and when collected shall be
paid to the Director of Finance and credited to and form part of the
general fund of the City.
E.
Appointment of City Prosecutor. The Mayor shall appoint an attorney
to serve as City Prosecutor who shall prosecute all criminal and quasi-criminal
offenses and proceedings in City Court and all subsequent appeals.
A.
Constituted. There shall be a Department of Personnel, the head of
which shall be the Personnel Director.
B.
Role. The Personnel Director is responsible for and shall enforce
the provisions of federal, state, and local laws as they relate to
City personnel.
C.
Other powers and duties. The Personnel Director shall have other
powers and duties as may be prescribed by this Charter, local law,
or ordinance, or as directed by the City Administrator or Common Council.
[Amended 11-17-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
D.
Civil Service Commission. A Civil Service Commission shall be in
the Department of Personnel. The Commission shall have all the powers
and duties of a municipal civil service commission as provided in
the Civil Service Law or in any other statute or local law pertinent
to the Commission. The City shall provide staff assistance to the
Civil Service Commission.
[Amended 6-7-2016 by L.L.
No. 1-2016]
A.
Constituted. There shall be a Department of Assessment, the head
of which shall be the Assessor.
B.
Appointment. The appointment of the Assessor, term of office, qualifications,
duties, and removal shall be in conformance with the Real Property
Tax Law.
C.
Powers and duties. The Assessor shall have the following powers and
duties:
D.
Board of Assessment Review. There shall be a Board of Assessment
Review, the members of which shall be appointed and qualified as provided
in the Real Property Tax Law. The Board of Assessment Review shall
hear and determine complaints in relation to assessments, as provided
in the Real Property Tax Law.
[Amended 6-7-2016 by L.L.
No. 1-2016]
A.
Position. There shall be a Department of Engineering, the head of
which will be the Director of Engineering.
B.
Role. The Director of Engineering shall be responsible for the administration
of the following departments: Public Service (streets, parks, sewers,
and water distribution), Engineering, Wastewater Treatment, Water
Treatment, and Code Enforcement as well as the supervision of the
maintenance of all City parks, buildings, and facilities.
C.
Functions. The Director of Engineering shall:
(1)
Oversee all engineering required by the Common Council or Board of
Public Service and by the other departments and the other officers
of the City.
(2)
Ensure that all professional engineering requirements of the City
are met, including but not limited to the water treatment plant, wastewater
treatment plant, streets, and parks, and engineering functions related
to purchases, contracts, and public works generally.
(3)
Provide for the maintenance and retention of books and records of
all surveys and maps of public places, streets, avenues, and lanes,
and the grade thereof; and sidewalks, water mains, sewers, and sewer
inlets, with location and grade thereof. Such books and records shall
be properly indexed, and shall be the property of the City.
[Amended 6-7-2016 by L.L.
No. 1-2016]
There shall be a Police Department, the head of which shall
be the Chief of Police.
[Amended 6-7-2016 by L.L.
No. 1-2016]
There shall be a Fire Department, the head of which shall be
the Fire Chief.
[Amended 6-7-2016 by L.L.
No. 1-2016]
A.
Constituted. There shall be an Oneonta Public Transit System (OPT),
the head of which shall be the Transportation Director.
B.
Role. The Transportation Director shall perform all related transportation
duties required by the Common Council with the assistance of the Transportation
Committee. These duties shall include, but not be limited to, the
establishment and maintenance of bus routes; fare recommendations;
vehicle maintenance and purchase recommendations; maintenance of all
records required by law; direction and supervision of all employees
of OPT; appointment recommendations of all employees; and any additional
duties and responsibilities as may become necessary to maintain the
operation of the Oneonta Public Transit System.
[Amended 6-7-2016 by L.L.
No. 1-2016]
[Amended 6-7-2016 by L.L.
No. 1-2016]
A.
Constituted. There shall be a Department of Community Development,
the head of which shall be the Director of Community Development.
B.
Role. The Department is responsible for promoting the economic and
neighborhood development of the City including industrial, commercial,
and residential growth and development; coordination with local businesses,
governmental and nongovernmental agencies concerning development issues
and funding; and the enhancement of residential areas of the City.
The Department shall have other related powers and duties as assigned
by the City Administrator, the Mayor, or the Common Council.
[Amended 11-17-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
