As a prerequisite to bringing suit thereon against the city or any officer, department, commission or board of the city, any claim for money or damages (including claims which would otherwise be excepted by Section 905 of the Government Code) which is not governed by any other statutes or regulations expressly relating thereto, shall be presented and acted upon in accordance with Title 1, Division 3.6, Part 3, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 900) and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 910), of the Government Code. This section shall relate only to the bringing of suit upon any claim, and shall not be deemed to apply to the authority of the director of finance, the city council, and other officers to process and pay, in the ordinary course of business, the just obligations of the city, such as routine salaries and wages, principal and interest on bonds, payments for purchases, and other like expenditures for which there is an express budget appropriation, and in connection with which there is no dispute as to the obligation and amount being payable.
(Ord. 2 § 1, 1981; Ord. 100, § 1, 1985)
No payment shall be made from the city treasury or out of the funds of the city unless the demand which is to be paid is duly audited as prescribed in this chapter or by other provisions of law.
(Ord. 2 § 1, 1981)
Claims against the city shall be paid on demands on the treasury as provided in this chapter on forms to be prescribed by the director of finance.
(Ord. 2 § 1, 1981; Ord. 100 § 1, 1985)
Except for tort claims, every claim and demand received against the city shall be first presented to and approved in writing by the receiving department or office, which shall certify to the actual delivery or rendition of the supplies, materials, property or service for which payment is claimed; that the quality and prices correspond with the original specifications and contracts, if any, upon which the claim is based; that the demand in all other respects is proper and valid, and which shall further indicate the budgetary account to which the demand is to be charged.
(Ord. 2 § 1, 1981)
Each demand approved by the receiving department or office shall be presented to the director of finance who shall satisfy himself whether:
A. 
The claim is legally due and owing by the city;
B. 
There are budgeted or otherwise appropriated funds available to pay the claim;
C. 
The claim conforms to a valid requisition or order;
D. 
The prices and computations shown on the claim are verified;
E. 
The claim contains the approval of other departments and officials as required.
(Ord. 2 § 1, 1981; Ord. 100 § 1, 1985)
A. 
Prepayment of demands prior to audit by the finance committee and the city council may be made by the director of finance in conformity with the authority provided by Section 37208 of the Government Code.
B. 
Whenever the director of finance determines that a refund is due of fees, taxes or other receipts collected in error or in advance of being earned, or of money the refund of which is otherwise due pursuant to specific provisions of this code or of any other ordinance of this city, then any such refund shall be deemed as conforming to the currently approved budget, and may be prepaid in the same fashion as other demands encompassed within the terms of subsection A of this section.
(Ord. 2 § 1, 1981; Ord. 100 § 1, 1985)
Following audit of demands the director of finance shall prepare a register of audited demands showing the claimant's name, amount of demand, the warrant number and date thereof, and transmit the register to the city manager for his review and presentation to the finance committee and the city council, with his approval or other report.
(Ord. 2 § 1, 1981; Ord. 100 § 1, 1985)
The register of demands shall be presented to the city council at the next regular meeting thereof. The city council may approve, conditionally or partially approve or reject the register of demands and in connection therewith consider the recommendations of the finance committee and the city manager.
(Ord. 2 § 1, 1981; Ord. 113 § 1, 1985)
The mayor, mayor pro tem, city manager, city treasurer, and the director of finance, each is authorized to draw or sign city warrants and checks upon city funds for the payment of legal demands against the city. The signatures of any two of the five above-listed individuals are sufficient for the proper execution of city warrants or checks. The incumbents in the listed positions, from time to time, are authorized to execute signature cards at the official depositories.
(Ord. 2 § 1, 1981; Ord. 113 § 1, 1985)