a. To faithfully execute and enforce all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations and to see that all franchises, leases, permits, contracts, licenses, and privileges granted by the City are observed.

b. To carry out the policies and programs established by the City Council.

c. To organize and direct the management of the executive affairs of the City in a manner consistent with state law and City ordinances.

d. To appoint a budget officer who shall be the Finance Director, for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the Uniform Municipal Fiscal Procedures Act.

e. To appoint, with the advice and consent of the City Council, a qualified person to each of the offices of Assistant City Manager, City Recorder, City Treasurer, Administrative Services Director, Communications Director, Community and Economic Development Director, Community Preservation Director, Finance Director, Fire Chief, City Attorney, Parks and Recreation Director, Chief of Police, City Engineer, and Public Works Director; to create any other offices as may be deemed necessary for the good government of the municipality; and to regulate and prescribe the powers and duties of all other officers of the City, except as provided by law or by ordinance.

f. To examine and inspect the books, records, and official papers of any office, department, agency, board, or commission of the City, and to make investigations and require reports from personnel.

g. To appoint, subject to the provisions of law and this Administrative Code and with the advice and consent of the City Council, suspend, and remove, heads of City offices, departments, and agencies and all appointive officers of boards and commissions.

h. To establish standards, qualifications, criteria, and procedures to govern the appointments by heads of offices, departments, and agencies, or by other authorized officers, of divisional officers, assistants, deputies, and employees within their respective organizational units, subject to any applicable provisions of the merit system and this Administrative Code.

i. To submit to the City Council plans and programs relating to the development and needs of the City, and reports concerning the financial, administrative, and operational activities of municipal offices, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, together with the City Manager’s evaluation and recommendations relating to them.

j. To attend all meetings of the City Council and take part in its discussions and deliberations, but without the right to vote.

k. To appoint, with approval by majority vote of the full membership of the City Council, an Acting City Manager to serve in the City Manager’s absence or temporary incapacity to perform the powers and duties provided for in this Title.

l. To discharge any other duties specified by statute or imposed by the City Council.

a. Authorize a department head or officer responsible to the City Manager to appoint and remove subordinates serving under that department head or officer.

b. Personally assume, unless the office legally requires a particular designation or certification, or delegate to some other officer or employee, the duties of any office or position under the City Manager’s control which is vacant or which lacks administration due to the absence or disability of the incumbent.

c. Assign any employee of the City to any department or branch thereof requiring services appropriate to the Human Resource Office classification of the employee so assigned.

d. Prescribe such rules and regulations by executive order, with the advice and consent of the City Council, as the City Manager shall deem necessary or expedient for the conduct of all departments, divisions, and offices; and revoke, suspend, or amend any rule or regulation by whoever prescribed.

e. Personally or by delegation, investigate and examine or inquire into the affairs or operation of any department, division, or office; and, when so authorized by the City Council, the City Manager shall have power to employ consultants and professional counsel to aid in such investigations, examinations, or inquiries.

f. Examine all proposed contracts to which the City may be a party. When a purchase, obligation, or other contract may be properly entered into without specific City Council approval, the City Manager or any official delegated the responsibility may sign the document on behalf of the City. The Mayor’s facsimile signature shall also be used and shall be countersigned by the City Recorder.

g. Approve merit pay increases, bonuses, or other compensation for City personnel when appropriate.

h. Set aside any action taken by a department head and supersede the department head in the functions of the department head’s office.

i. Direct any department, division, or office to perform the work for any other department, division, or office, except where legally prohibited.

j. Compromise and settle, or authorize the City Attorney to compromise and settle, all claims or legal actions involving the City.

k. Set the dates of all public hearings: The City Manager shall notify the City Council of all such dates at a subsequent meeting of the City Council.

l. Designate such committees and the officers thereof as the City Manager shall find necessary for the proper consideration of administrative problems. Such committees shall meet at the request of the City Manager and shall make such recommendations on matters referred to them as they shall find necessary for the best interests of the City.

m. Declare any property to be surplus to the needs of the City and dispose of the property consistent with law.

n. Accept, reduce, extend, and release performance bonds and delay agreements as provided in Section 3-2-106.

o. In addition to the Personnel Policy and Procedures rules for filling open employment positions, when the City Manager determines that it is in the best interests of the City, the City Manager may authorize alternative employment methods, including the recruitment of specific individuals.