In addition to the City Council, the following positions are
deemed officers of the City of Bridgman: City Manager, City Clerk,
City Treasurer, City Assessor, and City Attorney, all who shall be
appointed by the City Council upon the recommendation of the Mayor
for such terms, if any, as it may establish. No person shall be appointed
to any office in the City who is a defaulter to the City. Subject
to state law and except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the
City Manager shall establish the qualifications and compensation of
the City Clerk, City Treasurer, and all other employees of the City.
The City Manager shall be a person of good business and executive
ability. The City Manager shall be selected by, serve and hold office
at the discretion of the Council. The Council's authority in
disciplining, suspending or removing the City Manager shall be final.
The Council may enter into an employment contract with the City
Manager which shall be in writing and shall specify the compensation
to be paid to the City Manager, including any procedure for changing
the compensation, any fringe benefits and any other conditions of
employment. The employment contract may extend beyond the terms of
the members of the Council. The contract with the City Manager shall
state that the City Manager serves at the discretion of the Council.
The employment contract may provide for severance pay or any other
benefits in the event the employment of the City Manager is terminated
at the discretion of the Council.
By letter filed with the City Clerk, the City Manager shall
designate a City officer or employee to exercise the powers and perform
the duties of City Manager during the City Manager's temporary
absence or disability. The Council may revoke the designation at any
time and appoint another officer or employee of the City to serve
until the City Manager returns.
The City Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of
the City, responsible to the Council for the administration of all
matters placed in the City Manager's charge by the Council by
authority of this Charter. The City Manager shall:
a. Enforce all laws and ordinances, this Charter, and carry out the
policies and resolutions of the Council.
b. Except as otherwise provided by this Charter, direct and supervise
the administration of all administrative offices and departments of
the City.
c. Appoint, discipline, suspend or terminate all City employees, except
those officers appointed by the Council who shall be terminated only
with the consent of the Council. The City Manager may authorize any
officer or head of a department to exercise these powers with respect
to subordinates in that department.
d. Prepare and submit an annual budget and capital program to the Council
for its approval, and administer the budget adopted by the Council.
e. Keep the Council advised of the financial condition and administrative
activities of the City, and make such other reports as the Council
may require concerning the operation of the City.
f. Manage and supervise all public works, crossings, buildings, roads,
improvements and other undertakings of the City.
g. Manage and supervise all City utilities.
h. Attend all Council meetings. The City Manager shall have the right
to take part in all discussions, but shall not have a vote.
i. Make recommendations to the City Council concerning the affairs of
the City and perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter,
ordinance, resolution or as may be required by the Council.
The City Clerk shall be the ex officio Clerk of the City Council
and shall keep a complete record of the proceedings of the Council.
The City Clerk shall perform all duties required by state law, this
Charter and the Council.
The City Manager may appoint a Deputy Clerk who in the absence
of the City Clerk shall have all of the powers, duties and authority
of the City Clerk.
The City Treasurer shall perform all duties as required by state
law, this Charter and the Council.
The City Manager may appoint a Deputy Treasurer who in the absence
of the City Treasurer shall have all of the powers, duties and authority
of the City Treasurer.
The Assessor shall perform all duties set forth in state law,
this Charter, ordinance or resolution.
The Council shall appoint a City Attorney who shall hold office
at the discretion of the Council. The City Attorney shall serve as
chief legal advisor to the City Council, the City Manager and all
City departments, offices, boards and commissions. The City Attorney
shall represent the City in all legal proceedings and shall perform
any other duties prescribed by state law, this Charter, ordinance
or resolution. The City Attorney shall be an attorney licensed to
practice law in the State of Michigan and shall receive the compensation
established by the Council. The Council may retain special legal counsel
to represent the City or to assist the City Attorney.
No officer appointed by the Council shall be removed from office
for a period of 90 days following any election for the position of
City Council, except for breach of the specific terms of his or her
employment contract or terms of employment or conviction of a felony.
Resignations of officers shall be made in writing and filed
with the Clerk and shall be acted upon by the Council at its next
regular meeting following receipt thereof by the Clerk. Resignations
of other employees shall be under the discretion of the City Manager.