Chapter 2.07
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Sections:
2.07.010 Appointment of city administrator.
2.07.020 Appointment of city administrator and city clerk – Allowed.
2.07.030 City administrator – Duties and responsibilities.
2.07.040 City administrator – Creation of departments.
2.07.050 City administrator – Department heads – Authority.
2.07.060 City administrator – Appointment of subordinates – Qualifications – Terms.
2.07.070 City administrator – Interference by council members.
2.07.010 Appointment of city administrator.
The mayor shall appoint a city administrator who will hold office at the pleasure of the mayor and shall be subject to confirmation by the city council. The compensation and working conditions of the city administrator shall be as established by the city council in its approved budget or by negotiated contract approved by the city council. (Ord. 983 § 1, 2022; Ord. 540 §§ 1, 2, 1986)
2.07.020 Appointment of city administrator and city clerk – Allowed.
At the discretion of the mayor, the positions of city administrator and city clerk may be combined and performed by the same person. When these positions and responsibilities are combined, the city administrator/city clerk will hold office at the pleasure of the mayor and shall be subject to confirmation by the city council. The compensation and working conditions shall take into consideration the combined position’s joint responsibilities, and shall be as established by the city council in its approved budget or by negotiated contract approved by the city council. (Ord. 983 § 2, 2022; Ord. 540 §§ 1, 2, 1986)
2.07.030 City administrator – Duties and responsibilities.
The powers of the city administrator shall be:
A. To act as the chief administrative officer and head of the administrative branch of the city government, being responsible to the mayor and council for the proper administration of all affairs of the city;
B. To have general supervision over the administrative affairs of the city;
C. Subject to the concurrence of the mayor, to appoint and remove at any time all department heads, officers and employees of the city, except members of the council, and subject to the provisions of any applicable law, rule or regulation relating to civil service;
D. To attend all meetings of the council, at which his or her attendance may be required by that body;
E. To see that all laws and ordinances are faithfully executed, subject to the authority that the council may grant the mayor to maintain law and order in times of emergency;
F. To recommend for adoption by the council such measures as he or she may deem necessary or expedient;
G. To prepare and submit to the council such reports as may be required by that body, or as he or she may deem it advisable to submit;
H. To keep the council fully advised of the financial condition of the city and its future needs;
I. To prepare and submit to the mayor a tentative budget for the fiscal year;
J. To receive any claim for damages made under Chapter 4.96 RCW;
1. For purposes of this section, the city administrator may be reached during the normal business hours of the city at 9605 NE 24th Street, Clyde Hill, Washington;
2. If the city administrator is not available during normal business hours, the city administrator’s designee is appointed as the agent to receive claims for damages;
3. All claims for damages against the city made pursuant to Chapter 4.96 RCW shall be presented to the city administrator within the applicable period of limitation within which an action must be commenced. Said claims shall not be effective unless delivered to the agent or designee as specified in this section;
K. To perform such other duties as the mayor and council may determine by ordinance or resolution. (Ord. 837 § 1, 2001; Ord. 540 §§ 1, 2, 1986)
2.07.040 City administrator – Creation of departments.
On recommendation of the city administrator, the council may create such departments, offices and employments as may be found necessary, and may determine the powers and duties of each department or office. (Ord. 540 §§ 1, 2, 1986)
2.07.050 City administrator – Department heads – Authority.
The city administrator may authorize the head of a department or office responsible to him or her to appoint or remove subordinates in such department or office. Any officer or employee who may be appointed by the city administrator, or by the head of a department or office, except one who holds his position subject to civil service, may be removed by the administrator or other such appointing officer at any time. The decision of the city administrator or other appointing officer shall be final, and there shall be no appeal therefrom to any other office, body or court whatsoever. (Ord. 540 §§ 1, 2, 1986)
2.07.060 City administrator – Appointment of subordinates – Qualifications – Terms.
Appointments made by or under the authority of the city administrator shall be on the basis of executive and administrative ability, and of the training and experience of the appointees and the work which they are to perform. Residence within the city shall not be a requirement. All such appointments shall be without definite term. (Ord. 540 §§ 1, 2, 1986)
2.07.070 City administrator – Interference by council members.
Neither the council, nor any of its committees or members, shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or his removal from, office by the city administrator or any of his or her subordinates. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the council and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the administrator, and neither the council nor any committee or member thereof shall give orders to any subordinate of the city administrator, either publicly or privately; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the council, while in open session, from fully and freely discussing with the administrator anything pertaining to appointments or removals of city officers and employees and city affairs. (Ord. 540 §§ 1, 2, 1986)