A. 
The city council shall appoint a city manager to be the chief executive officer and head of the executive branch of the city government. The city manager shall be responsible to the council for the proper administration of all affairs of the city and shall serve at-will for an indefinite term or for any term set by the council.
B. 
The city manager shall have the following specific powers, duties, and responsibilities:
1. 
To have general supervision over the administrative affairs of the city;
2. 
To recommend the creation of such departments or offices that may be necessary or advisable and the powers and duties of each department or office;
3. 
To attend all meetings at which the city manager's attendance is required by the council;
4. 
To see that all laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies are faithfully executed;
5. 
To recommend for adoption such measures the city manager deems necessary or expedient;
6. 
To prepare and submit reports as may be required by the council or as the city manager deems advisable to submit;
7. 
To prepare and submit a proposed budget for each fiscal year or biennium and to be responsible for its administration upon adoption;
8. 
To keep the council fully advised of the financial condition of the city and its future needs;
9. 
To periodically update the council and the public on city operations; and
10. 
To perform such other duties as prescribed by ordinance, resolution, or other action of the city council.
C. 
The city manager may enter into an employment agreement with the city to further describe the terms and conditions of their employment.
(Ord. 2549 § 2, 2024)
A. 
The city manager shall be chosen by the city council solely on the basis of their executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to their actual experience in, or knowledge of, accepted practice in respect to the duties of the office. No person elected to membership on the council shall be eligible for appointment as city manager until one year has elapsed following the expiration of the term for which they were elected.
B. 
The city manager need not be a resident of the city at the time of their appointment; however, the city manager shall reside within Lewis County and the Centralia school district within a reasonable amount of time after appointment and shall maintain such residency throughout their term of office.
C. 
Before entering upon the duties of the office, the city manager shall take an oath or affirmation for the faithful performance of their duties and shall execute and file with the city clerk a bond in favor of the city in the sum fixed by the council. The premium on such bond shall be paid by the city.
(Ord. 2549 § 3, 2024)
A. 
The city manager may, at any time, appoint or remove any department heads, appointive officers, and employees of the city without interference by councilmembers, subject to the provisions of any applicable law, rule, or regulation relating to civil service. The job duties and compensation of department heads, appointive officers, and employees shall be determined by the city manager.
B. 
The city manager may authorize the head of a department or office to appoint or remove subordinates in such department or office. Any officer or employee who may be appointed by the city manager or the head of a department or office, except one who holds their position subject to civil service, may be removed by the city manager or other such appointing officer at any time, subject to any applicable law, rule, regulation, or agreement. The decision of the city manager or other appointing officer to remove a subordinate shall be final and there shall be no appeal therefrom to any other office, body, or court whatsoever.
C. 
All appointments made by or under the authority of the city manager shall be on the basis of ability and training or experience of the appointees in the duties which they are to perform and shall be in compliance with the provisions of any applicable civil service or merit system. Residency within the city limits shall not be a requirement, and all appointments shall be without a definite term.
(Ord. 2549 § 4, 2024)
A. 
The city manager may be removed by a majority vote of the city council. To start the removal process, the council shall adopt a resolution stating its intention to remove the city manager from office and the reasons therefor. As part of the resolution, the council may suspend the city manager from duty; however, pay shall continue until the removal takes effect. The resolution shall be served upon the city manager at least thirty days before the effective date of removal.
B. 
The city manager may, within thirty days from the date of service, file a written reply to the resolution with the city clerk's office. If a reply is timely filed, the council shall fix a time for a public hearing upon the question of the city manager's removal, and such removal shall not take effect until after the public hearing has been held. If no reply is timely filed, the removal shall take effect upon the thirty-first day from the date of service, and the city manager's services shall terminate on that day.
C. 
The council may designate a qualified administrative officer of the city to perform the duties of city manager during the absence, disability, or suspension of the city manager or while the selection and appointment of a new city manager is pending.
(Ord. 2549 § 5, 2024)
The city council and its committees and members shall interact with the executive branch of city government solely through the city manager. Neither the council nor any of its committees or members shall direct or influence any person's appointment to, or removal from, office by the city manager or any of the city manager's subordinates, and neither the council, nor any committee or member thereof, shall give orders to any subordinate of the city manager, either publicly or privately, or otherwise interfere with administrative functions.
(Ord. 2549 § 6, 2024)