The City Manager shall be appointed for an indefinite term by a majority vote of all members of the Council. (Adopted by Initiative March 15, 1988; this Section shall not be repealed or amended except by a future vote of the people. Elections Code § 4013)
The City Manager shall be chosen wholly on the basis of his administrative and executive ability and qualifications. No member of the Council shall during his term of office or for one year thereafter be eligible to hold the position of City Manager.
The City Manager shall receive as compensation for services performed as City Manager such amount as may be established by the City Council by resolution or as provided for by agreement.
The City Manager is the chief administrative officer of the City and he is responsible to the City Council. He is responsible for the efficient administration of all affairs of the City which are under his control. In addition to his general powers as administrative chief and not as a limitation on them, the City Manager shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities:
(a) 
To devote his or her entire time to the discharge of official duties.
(b) 
To see that all laws are enforced.
(c) 
The City Council shall vest in the City Manager the power to appoint and remove all department heads and all other subordinate officers and employees, including the City Clerk and City Treasurer, and excluding the City Attorney. The City Manager shall have general supervision and control over all such employees and shall have the power to appoint, promote, demote, remove or otherwise discipline such employees subject to personnel rules and regulations, memoranda of understanding, and any other employment agreements. The City Manager may authorize department heads and any other subordinate officers to exercise the powers described above with respect to subordinates in each officer's department, office or agency.
(d) 
To attend all meetings of the Council unless excused therefrom by the Council.
(e) 
To act as ex officio member of all boards and commissions.
(f) 
To keep the Council advised on the needs of the City.
(g) 
To prepare and submit to the Council an annual budget estimate for the City and such reports as the Council may require.
(h) 
To prepare or cause to be prepared plans and specifications for work which the Council may order and to provide such plans and specifications in sufficient number and in ample time to give full opportunity for all contractors who desire to bid thereon to do so.
(i) 
To exercise general supervision over all privately owned utilities operated within the City insofar as the same are subject to municipal control.
(j) 
To see that the provisions of all franchises, leases, contracts, permits and privileges granted by the City are fully observed and to report to the Council any violations thereof.
(k) 
To have general supervision over all City property and equipment and its use by the public or by City employees.
(l) 
To coordinate the work of all departments of the City.
(m) 
To control the purchasing of the City in accordance with the provisions of this Code and in accordance with regulations established by the Council.
(n) 
At the direction of the City Council, to appoint such advisory committees as the City Council may deem desirable, provided the members of such committees shall serve without compensation.
(o) 
To approve expenditures, policies and procedures for the departments coming under his or her control.
(p) 
To negotiate such contracts and conveyances as the Council may expressly authorize. To sign all warrants drawn on the City Treasurer/Finance Director, all written contracts and conveyances made or entered into by the City, and all instruments requiring the City seal.
(q) 
To maintain membership in, or appropriate relations with, professional, civic and governmental associations and organizations.
(r) 
To maintain liaison with other City officials and with other municipal, district, County, State and Federal agencies to ensure proper coordination of activities.
(s) 
To serve as public relations officer of the City.
(t) 
To perform such other duties as the Council may require.
(Ord. 495 §§ 3, 2016 (1st par. and (c) adopted by Initiative March 15, 1988; those parts of this section shall not be repealed or amended except by a future vote of the people. Elections Code § 4013, amended and recodified as Elections Code § 9217))
No member of the Council shall in any manner, directly or indirectly, by suggestion or otherwise, attempt to influence or coerce the City Manager in the making of any appointment or removal or in the purchase of supplies or attempt to exact any promise relative to any appointment from any candidate for City Manager. With respect to the departments under the control of the City Manager, the members of the Council shall deal with such departments solely through the City Manager, except for purposes of inquiry. Neither the City Manager, nor any person in the employ of the City, shall take part in securing, nor contribute any money toward, the nomination or election of a candidate for a municipal office.
The City Manager may be removed from office by a resolution of the City Council. Before he may be removed he shall, if he so demands, be given a written statement of the reasons for his removal and the right to be heard publicly thereon at a meeting of the Council prior to the final vote on the resolution providing for his removal, but pending and during such hearing the Council may suspend him from office. The action of the Council in suspending or removing the City Manager shall be final and conclusive, and during such suspension, he shall not be eligible to receive compensation.