Chapter 2.04
CITY MANAGER1
Sections:
2.04.030 Appointment – Term – Qualifications – Oath – Bond.
2.04.040 Removal from office – City council authority – Procedures.
2.04.050 Absence, disability, or suspension – Officer to perform duties when.
2.04.010 Office created.
The office of city manager of the city shall be, and the same is, created and established. [Ord. 512B, 1993.]
2.04.020 Powers and duties.
The powers and duties of the city manager shall be:
A. To have general supervision over the administrative affairs of the city;
B. To appoint and remove, at any time, all department heads, officers, and employees of the city, except members of the city council, subject to the provisions of any applicable law, rule, or regulation relating to civil service or other tenure of office laws; provided, that the city council shall provide for the appointment by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the council, of the members of the city planning commission and other advisory citizens’ committees, commissions, and boards; and provided further, that the appointment of the municipal court judge shall be made by the city manager subject to the confirmation of the city council for a four-year term;
C. To attend all meetings of the city council at which his attendance may be required by that body;
D. To see that all laws and ordinances are faithfully executed, subject to the authority which the council may grant the mayor to maintain law and order in times of emergency;
E. To recommend for adoption by the council such measures as he may deem necessary or expedient;
F. To prepare and submit to the council such reports as may be required by that body or as he may deem it advisable to submit;
G. To keep the city council fully advised of the financial condition of the city and its future needs;
H. To prepare and submit to the city council a proposed budget for the fiscal year, as required by Chapter 35A.33 RCW, and to be responsible for its administration upon adoption;
I. To perform such other duties as the council may determine by ordinance or resolution. [Ord. 512B, 1993.]
2.04.030 Appointment – Term – Qualifications – Oath – Bond.
The city manager shall be appointed by the city council for an indefinite term as provided by law. The city manager need not be a resident of the city at the time of appointment to the office of city manager but shall reside in the city after appointment to the office, unless such residence requirement is waived by the city council. The city manager shall be chosen by the city council solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications, with special reference to actual experience in, or knowledge of, accepted practice in respect to the duties of the office. No person elected to membership on the city council shall be eligible for appointment as city manager until one year has elapsed following the expiration of the term for which such councilor was elected. The city manager shall devote full time to the affairs of the city. Before entering upon the duties of the office of city manager, the city manager shall take an oath or affirmation for the faithful performance of the duties and shall execute and file with the city clerk a bond in favor of the city in the sum of $100,000, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the office, with a corporation licensed to do business in the state of Washington as surety. The premium for such bond shall be paid by the city. [Ord. 512B, 1993.]
2.04.040 Removal from office – City council authority – Procedures.
The city manager may be removed from office by a majority vote of the city council. Not less than 30 days before the effective date of his removal, the city manager must be furnished with a formal statement in the form of a resolution passed by a majority vote of the city council stating the council’s intention to remove him and the reasons therefor. Upon passage of the resolution stating the council’s intention to remove the city manager, the council, by similar vote, may suspend him from duty, but his pay shall continue until his removal becomes effective. The city manager may, within 30 days from the date of service upon him of a copy of said resolution, forward his reply in writing to the city clerk. In the event no reply is timely filed, the resolution removing the city manager shall become effective and his services shall terminate immediately. If a reply is timely filed with the city clerk, the council shall fix a time for a public hearing upon the question of the manager’s removal, and a final resolution removing the manager shall not be adopted until a public hearing has been had. The action of the council in removing the manager shall be final. [Ord. 512B, 1993.]
2.04.050 Absence, disability, or suspension – Officer to perform duties when.
The city 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. [Ord. 512B, 1993.]
Code reviser’s note: For statutory provisions on the council-manager plan of government, see Chapter 35A.13 RCW.