Chapter 2.08 CITY MANAGER

The city manager shall serve directly under the supervision and control of the city council in a purely administrative capacity. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.12.)

2.08.030 Bond.

The city manager shall secure a corporate surety bond to be approved by the city council, in such sum as may be determined by the city council, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties imposed on the city manager as prescribed in this chapter. The fee for such bond shall be paid by the city. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.13.)

2.08.040 Compensation.

The compensation to be paid to the city manager shall be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of the city council, which compensation shall be in full satisfaction for payment of all services performed and rendered by the city manager. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.14.)

2.08.050 Expenses – Reimbursement.

The city manager shall be reimbursed for and shall be allowed traveling, hotel and incidental expenses reasonably incurred when absent from the city on official city business, but no reimbursement or allowance shall be made except upon an itemized claim duly presented to and approved and allowed by the city council. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.15.)

2.08.060 Absence from city.

Any absence of the city manager from the city on official city business shall be subject to the approval in advance by the city council. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.16.)

2.08.070 Term of office.

The city council shall appoint the city manager for an indefinite term. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.17.)

2.08.080 Removal from office – Generally.

The city council may remove the city manager by a majority vote. The city council, in removing the city manager, shall use its uncontrolled discretion and its action shall be final. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.18.)

2.08.090 Removal from office – Preliminary resolution – Salary continuance.

At least 30 days before the removal of the city manager becomes effective, the city council shall, by a majority vote of its members, adopt a preliminary resolution stating the reason for his removal. By the preliminary resolution the city council may suspend the city manager from duty, but shall in any case cause to be paid him any unpaid balance of his salary and his monthly salary shall continue to be paid for the next 30 days following the adoption of the preliminary resolution. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.19.)

2.08.100 Removal from office – Following municipal election.

Notwithstanding the provisions of CMC 2.08.080 and 2.08.090, the city manager shall not be removed from office during or within a period of 90 days next succeeding any general municipal election held in the city, at which election a member of the city council is elected. After the expiration of such 90-day period, the provisions of CMC 2.08.080 and 2.08.090 as to the removal of the city manager shall apply and be effective. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.20.)

2.08.110 Powers and duties – Generally.

The powers and duties of the city manager shall be as set forth in CMC 2.08.120 through 2.08.300. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.21.)

2.08.120 Administrative supervision.

The city manager shall execute on behalf of the city council its administrative supervision and control of such affairs of the city as may be placed in his charge. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.22.)

2.08.130 Council meeting attendance.

The city manager shall attend meetings of the city council with the duty of reporting on or discussing any matter concerning the affairs of the departments, services or activities under his supervision upon which, in his judgment, the city council should be informed. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.23.)

2.08.140 Administrative coordination.

The city manager shall assist the city council in coordinating the administrative functions and operations of the various departments, divisions, properties and services of the city government, and on its behalf carry out the policies, rules and regulations and ordinances adopted by it relating to the administration of the affairs of such departments, divisions, properties or services. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.24.)

2.08.150 Departmental function analysis – Operational recommendations.

The city manager shall analyze the functions, duties and activities of the various departments, divisions, properties and services of the city government and of all employees thereof, and shall make such recommendations to the city council with reference thereto as in his judgment will result in the highest degree of efficiency in the overall operation of the city government. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.25.)

2.08.160 Expenditure estimates – Budget.

The city manager shall cause to be prepared and submitted to him by each department, division, or service of the city government itemized annual estimates of expenditures required by any of them for capital outlay, salaries, wages and miscellaneous operating costs, and shall tabulate the same into a preliminary consolidated municipal budget and submit the same to the city council before the fifteenth day of June of each year, with his recommendations as to such changes which he deems advisable.

The city manager shall be responsible for the administration of the budget after its final adoption. The city manager shall be authorized to amend the budget between cost centers within each fund. City council authorization shall be required for increases in total fund appropriation and the use of council contingency reserve. Continuing appropriations for year-end encumbrances, contractual commitments, and capital projects shall be automatically carried forward. All other appropriations shall lapse at year-end unless carried forward by city council action. The city manager shall keep the city council informed with respect thereto. (Ord. 00-1872, 2000; Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.26.)

2.08.170 Expense supervision – Purchasing.

The city manager shall, as agent for the city council, supervise the expenditure of all departments, divisions, properties or services of the city government and act as purchasing agent for the purchase of all supplies, goods, wares, merchandise, equipment and material which may be required for any of such departments, divisions, properties or services. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.27.)

2.08.180 Public improvement projects and programs.

The city manager shall develop and organize necessary public improvement projects and programs and aid and assist the city council and the various departments in carrying the same through to successful conclusion. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.28.)

2.08.190 Public relations duties.

The city manager shall serve as the public relations director of the city government, and follow through and endeavor to adjust all just complaints filed against any employee, department, division or service thereof. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.29.)

2.08.200 Community organization cooperation.

The city manager shall cooperate with all the community organizations whose aim and purpose it is to advance the spiritual and material interests of the city and its people, and provide them with assistance through the city government. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.30.)

2.08.210 City property inventory – Purchase recommendations.

The city manager shall make and keep up-to-date an inventory of all property, real and personal, owned by the city. He shall recommend to the city council the purchase of new machinery, equipment and supplies whenever in his judgment the same can be obtained at the best advantage, taking into consideration trade-in value of machinery, equipment, etc., in use. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.31.)

2.08.220 Property transfer and disposal recommendations.

The city manager shall recommend to the city council the transfer of the city-owned equipment, machinery, furnishings, supplies, materials and furniture from one department to another, or the disposal of the same for the benefit of the city whenever in his judgment the transfer or disposal thereof would be advantageous to the city government. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.32.)

2.08.230 Personnel studies, surveys and recommendations.

The city manager shall make studies and surveys of the duties, responsibilities and work of the personnel in the various departments, divisions and services of the city government. He shall recommend to the city council abolition or consolidation of positions or transfers or removal of personnel whenever in his judgment such action would increase efficiency in the administration of the city government. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.33.)

2.08.240 Technical service contract advice.

The city manager shall consider and make recommendations to the city council regarding the extent to which the city should contract for the performance of technical services in connection with the establishment or operation of the personnel system. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.34.)

2.08.250 Council correspondence responsibility.

The city manager shall receive and open all mail addressed to the city council and give immediate attention thereto, to the end that all administrative business referred to in such communications and not necessarily requiring action by the city council may be disposed of between council meetings. All actions taken pursuant to such communications shall be reported to the city council at its next regular meeting thereafter. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.35.)

2.08.260 Public property supervision.

The city manager shall exercise general supervision over all public buildings, public parks, public streets and other public property which is under the control and jurisdiction of the city council. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.36.)

2.08.270 Officials and employees – Appointment and removal.

The city manager shall appoint and remove any officials and employees of the city except elective officials, the city attorney and the city auditor. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.37.)

2.08.280 Public contacts.

In the discharge of his duties as city manager, the person holding such position shall endeavor at all times to exercise the highest degree of tact, patience and courtesy in his contacts with the public and with all city commissions, boards, departments, officers and employees. He shall use his best efforts to establish and maintain a harmonious relationship between all personnel employed in the city government, to the end that the highest possible standards of public service be continuously maintained. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.38.)

2.08.290 Limitations – Generally.

The city manager shall not exercise any policy-making or legislative functions whatsoever, nor attempt to commit or bind the city council or any member thereof to any action, plan or program requiring official action by the city council. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.39.)

2.08.300 Limitations – Duties of other officials.

No provision of CMC 2.08.110 through 2.08.300 shall be deemed to grant any authority to or impose any duty upon the city manager which is vested in or imposed by general law or provision of this code or other valid city ordinance in any other city commission, board, department, officer or employee. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 1973; 1964 Code § 2.40.)

2.08.310 Execution of contracts with prior city council approval.

The city manager may execute by signing a specific contract or conveyance for any dollar amount on behalf of the city whenever such contract or conveyance has been expressly approved by the city council for execution by ordinance, resolution, motion, minute order, contract, or other appropriate city council action. (Ord. 18-07 § 2, 2018; Ord. 17-12 § 2, 2017.)