The Council, by majority vote of the entire Council, shall appoint
a City Manager, who shall be the chief administrative officer of the
City.
The method of selection shall be left to the discretion of the
Council so long as the method insures orderly, non-partisan action
toward securing a competent and qualified person to fill the position.
The City Manager shall be chosen solely upon the basis of the person’s
administrative training, experience, ability and character.
Neither the Mayor nor any Councilmember may be appointed City
Manager or acting City Manager while holding office or for a period
of two (2) years thereafter.
The City Manager shall receive compensation as may be fixed
by the Council according to the person’s experience, education
and training.
The City Manager may be appointed for a definite term, but may
be removed at the discretion of the Council, by vote of the majority
of the entire Council.
If removed after serving six (6) months, he may demand written
charges and the right to be heard thereon at a public meeting of the
Council prior to the date on which his final removal shall take effect;
but pending such hearing, the Council may suspend him from office.
The action of the Council in suspending or removing the City
Manager shall be final. It is the intention of this Charter to vest
all authority and fix all responsibilities of such suspension or removal
in the Council.
The Council shall require the City Manager, before entering
upon the duties of his office, to execute a good and sufficient surety
company bond, in such amount as the Council may demand, payable to
the City and conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties
of his office. The premium of such bond is to be paid by the City.
The City Manager shall be responsible to the Council for the
proper administration of all the affairs of the City and to that end
shall have the power and be required to:
(1) In cooperation
with the City Attorney, to see that all State laws and City Ordinances
are effectively enforced.
(2) Appoint,
suspend and/or remove all or any one of the heads of departments and
all subordinate officers and employees of the City.
(3) Exercise
control over all departments and subdivisions thereof created by this
Charter, or that may hereafter be created by the Council, except as
hereinafter provided.
(4) See that
all terms and conditions imposed in favor of the City or its inhabitants
in any public utility franchise are faithfully kept and performed,
and upon knowledge of any violation thereof to call the same to the
attention of the City Attorney, whose duty it shall be to take such
steps as may be necessary to enforce the same.
(5) Attend
all meetings of the Council except when excused by the Council.
(6) Prepare
a proposed budget annually and submit it to the Council on or before
August 1 of each year and be responsible for its administration after
its adoption.
(7) Administer
the budget of the City.
(8) Prepare
and submit to the Council at the end of the fiscal year a complete
report on the finances and administrative activities of the City for
the preceding year.
(9) Keep
the Council advised of the financial condition and future needs of
the City and make such recommendations as may seem to him advisable.
(10) Prepare
personnel rules subject to the approval of the Council.
(11) Perform
such other duties as may be prescribed by this Charter or required
of him by the Council.