MUNICIPAL CHARTER CITY OF TAKOMA PARK
ARTICLE VII THE CITY MANAGER
Section 701 Powers and Duties
Section 702 Council Not to Interfere with Appointments or Removals
Section 703 Emergencies
Section 704 Compensation
Section 705 Absence of the City Manager
Section 701 Powers and Duties
The City Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the
city, may head one or more departments, and shall be responsible to the City
Council for the proper administration of all affairs of the City. The City
Manager shall serve at the pleasure of the council and may be removed by an
affirmative vote of four (4) of its members. To that end, the Manager shall have
the power and shall be required to:
(a) Appoint and, when necessary for
the good of the City, suspend or remove other applicable officers and employees
of the city except as otherwise provided by the City Charter or applicable law.
The City Manager may authorize the head of a department or office to appoint,
suspend, or remove subordinates in such department or
office.
(b) Prepare the budget annually and submit it to the Council
together with a message describing the important features and be responsible for
its administration after adoption.
(c) Prepare and submit to the Council
as of the end of the fiscal year a complete report on the finances and
administrative activities of the City Council for the preceding
year.
(d) Keep the Council advised of the financial condition and future
needs of the City, and make such recommendations as may be deemed
desirable.
(e) Recommend to the governing body a standard schedule of
pay for each appointive office and position in the City service, including
minimum, intermediate, and maximum rates.
(f) Recommend to the governing
body (from time to time) , adoption of such measure as may be deemed necessary
or expedient for the health, safety, or welfare of the community or for the
improvement of administrative services.
(g) Consolidate or combine
offices, positions, departments, or units under his/her jurisdiction, with the
approval of the City Council. The City Manager may be the head of one or more
departments.
(h) Attend all meetings of the City Council unless excused
there from and take part in the discussion of all matters coming before the
Council. The Manager shall be entitled to notice of all regular and special
meetings of the Council.
(i) Supervise the purchase of all materials,
supplies, and equipment for which funds are provided in the budget; let
contracts necessary for operation or maintenance of the City services as
provided in the City Code.
(j) See that all laws and ordinances are duly
enforced.
(k) Investigate the affairs of the City or any department or
division thereof. Investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning
the administration of the government of the City, and in regard to service
maintained by the public utilities in the City, and see that all franchises,
permits, and privileges granted by the City are faithfully
observed.
(1) Devote his/her entire time to the discharge of all
official duties unless otherwise authorized by the Council.
(m) Perform
such other duties as may be required by the Council, not inconsistent with the
City Charter, law, or ordinances.
Section 702 Council Not to Interfere with Appointments or Removals
Neither the Council nor any of its members shall direct or request the
appointment of any person to, or removal from, office by the City Manager or any
of the manager’s subordinates, or in any manner take part in the
appointment or removal of officers and employees in the administrative services
of the City. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the Council and its members
shall deal with the administration solely through the City Manager and neither
the Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinates of the
City Manager, either publicly or privately.
Section 703 Emergencies
In case of accident, disaster, or other circumstance creating a public
emergency, the City Manager may award contracts and make purchases for the
purpose of meeting said emergency; but the manager shall file promptly with
Council a certificate showing such emergency and the necessity for such action,
together with an itemized account of all expenditures.
Section 704 Compensation
The City Manager shall receive such compensation as the Council shall
fix from time to time by ordinance or resolution.
Section 705 Absence of the City Manager
The City Manager shall designate by letter filed with the City Clerk
and Mayor, a qualified employee of the City to perform the duties of the office
during any temporary absence or disability. In the event of failure of the City
Manager to make such designation, the Council may by resolution appoint a
qualified employee of the City to perform the duties of the office until the
return or cessation of disability of the City Manager.
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