City Charter - Chapter VII

Administrative Services.

Section 7.1. Administrative officers generally.

The administrative officers of the city shall be the city manager, clerk, treasurer, assessor, city attorney, chief of police, fire chief and a board of review. The duties of one or more of the administrative officers of the city may be discharged by one person.

Section 7.2. City manager – Appointment; removal; compensation.

(a) The city manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the city government. He shall be appointed by the council on the basis of training and ability. He shall serve at the pleasure of, and be subject to removal by the council, but he shall not be removed from office during a period of sixty (60) days following any regular city election except by the affirmative vote of four members of the council. His compensation shall be set by the council.

(b) The council shall appoint a city manager within ninety (90) days after any vacancy exists in such position or they may appoint an acting manager during the period of a vacancy in the office, or the city manager, with the consent and approval of the council, may designate an administrative officer or employee of the city to act as city manager if he is temporarily absent from the city or unable to perform the duties of his office. The residence requirements of the city manager shall be at the discretion of the council.

Section 7.3: Same -- Function and duties.

1. The city manager shall be responsible to the council for the proper administration of the affairs of the city. He shall appoint and remove all employees of the city and shall make recommendations to the council relative to the appointment and removal of the clerk, treasurer, assessor, city attorney, chief of police and fire chief. He shall set employees compensation within the pay plan adopted by the council, and he shall supervise and coordinate the work of the administrative officers and departments of the city except the work of the city clerk in keeping the council records and as the clerical official of the council.
2. The city managers shall see that all laws and ordinances are enforced. He shall prepare and administer the annual budget under policies formulated by the council and he shall keep the council advised as to the financial condition and needs of the city. He shall furnish the council with information concerning city affairs and prepare and submit such reports as may be required or which the council may request. Subject to any employment ordinance of the city, he shall employ or be responsible for the employment for all city employees and supervise and coordinate the personnel policies and practices of the city. He shall establish and maintain a central purchasing service for the city and he or his authorized representative shall be the purchasing agent for the city.
3. The city manager shall attend all meetings of the council with the right to be heard in all council proceedings but without the right to vote. He shall posses such other powers and perform such additional duties as may be granted to or required of him by the council, so far as may be consistent with the provisions of law. He shall establish any rules necessary to carry out any of the foregoing duties.

Section 7.4. Clerk.

1. The clerk shall be the clerical officer of the council and shall keep its journal. He shall keep a record of all actions of the council at its regular and special meetings. He shall certify all ordinances and resolutions adopted by the council.
2. The clerk shall have the power to administer all oaths required by law and by the ordinances of the city. He shall be the custodian of the city seal, and shall affix the same to documents required to be sealed. He shall be the custodian of all papers, documents, and records pertaining to the city, unless otherwise provided by this Charter. He shall give the proper officials ample notice of the expiration or termination of any official bonds, franchises, contracts or agreements to which the city is a part and he shall notify the council of the failure of any officer or employee required to take an oath of office or furnish and bond required of him. He shall be the chief election officer for the city.
3. The clerk shall perform such other duties in connection with his office as may be required of him by law, the ordinances or resolutions of the council, or by the city manager.

Section 7.5. Treasurer.

1. The treasurer shall have the custody of all moneys of the city, the clerk’s bond, and all evidences of value or indebtedness belonging to or held in trust by the city. He shall keep and deposit all moneys or funds in such manner and only in such places as the council may determine, and shall report the same to the city manager.
2. The treasurer shall have such powers, duties and prerogatives in regard to the collection and custody of state, county, school district, and city taxes and money as are provided by law.
3. He shall disburse all city funds in accordance with provisions of law and this Charter.
4. He shall establish and maintain a general accounting plan which will conform to such uniform system as may be required by law.
5. He shall perform such other duties in connection with his office as may be required of him by law, the ordinances and resolutions of the council, or by the city manager.

Section 7.6. Assessor.

1. The assessor shall possess all the power vested in and shall be charged with the duties imposed upon the assessing officer by law. He shall make and prepare all regular and special assessment rolls in the manner prescribed by law or ordinances of the city.
2. He shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or the ordinances of the city, or by the city manager.

Section 7.7. Attorney.

1. The city attorney shall be legal advisor and counsel for the city and for all the officers and departments thereof in all matters relating to their official duties and shall file with the city a copy of all written opinions given by him. He shall prepare or review all ordinances, regulations, contracts, bonds, and other such instruments as may be required by this Charter, the council, or the city manager, and shall promptly give his opinion as to the legality thereof.
2. He shall prosecute ordinance violations and shall represent the city in cases before the courts and other tribunals. In such instances as the council shall direct, he shall defend officers and employees of the city in actions arising out of the performance of their official duties.
3. Upon the city attorney’s recommendation, or upon its own initiative, the council may retain special legal counsel to handle any matters in which the city has an interest, or to assist the city attorney.
4. He shall perform such other duties in connection with his office as may be prescribed for him by this Charter, the council or the city manager.

Section 7.8. City planning commission; zoning.

The council shall maintain a city planning commission in accordance with and having all the powers and duties granted by the provisions of statute relating to such commissions.

The council shall maintain a zoning ordinance in accordance with the provisions of statute relating to such ordinances. The ordinance shall provide that zoning be coordinated with the work of the city planning commission.

Section 7.9. Advisory boards or committees.

The council may appoint such boards or committees as are deemed appropriate to advise and consult with them regarding any municipal activity. Such boards or committees shall serve for indefinite periods and without compensation unless otherwise provided by the council.

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