§ 3-307. Powers and duties generally.
The city administrator shall be the chief administrative assistant to the mayor and as such shall be the administrative officer of the city government. He may head one (1) or more departments and shall be responsible to the mayor and board of aldermen for proper administration and management of the government business, officers and employees of the city. To that end, he shall have power and shall be required to:
(1)
Appoint and, when necessary for the good of the service, suspend or remove all officers and employees of the city except as otherwise provided for by law or city ordinance. However, when it is necessary to fill vacancies in the office of city attorney, assistant city attorney, city clerk or city treasurer, chief of police or fire chief, the city administrator shall submit the names of individuals for approval by the mayor and board of aldermen. The city administrator may recommend removal or suspension of any such appointee when it would be in the best interest of the city, and the governing body shall give due consideration to such recommendations. All direct appointments, removals or suspensions made by the city administrator, and all recommendations made to the governing body for appointments, removals or suspensions, shall be based solely on merit, qualifications or disqualifications of the officers or employees concerned without regard to his or their political beliefs or affiliations.
(2)
Recommend, for adoption by the governing body, standard personnel procedures to include position classifications and pay schedules for all employees covered in the city's personnel program and shall cause to be prepared written job descriptions for all regularly employed city personnel.
(3)
Prepare the proposed budget annually and submit it to the board of aldermen together with a message describing important features; the budget to be supported by appropriate schedules and analysis, and be designated the "budget officer" of the city.
(4)
Keep the governing body advised of the financial condition and future needs of the city, and make such recommendations as he may deem desirable.
(5)
Prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary or expedient for the conduct of administrative departments or agencies subject to his authority, and he shall have the power to revoke, suspend or amend any rule or regulation of the administrative service prescribed by himself or any subordinate.
(6)
Investigate, examine or inquire into the affairs or operation of any department, and when so authorized by the board of aldermen, he shall have power to employ consultants and professional counsel to aid in such investigations, examinations or inquiries.
(7)
Coordinate and control the activities of administrative, police, fire and public works departments, and shall have the power to alter, amend and set aside orders, rules and policies issued and set by department heads. Such coordination and control shall be exercised through department heads or foremen of the respective departments, if any, and if none, then directly subject to the rules and regulations that may be prescribed from time to time by the board of aldermen.
Subject to the provisions of other sections of this Code, this coordination and control shall likewise extend to include the light, power and water departments of the city. To this end, the city administrator's further powers and duties shall be as follows:
a.
He shall be in charge of and held responsible for the proper operation of the electric and water plant, the electric distribution system, the street lighting system and the water distribution system.
b.
He shall supervise all assistants, laborers or helpers, who shall be responsible to him, and who may be discharged by him for cause deemed sufficient.
c.
He shall inspect all new wiring and meter installations to see that same conform to the rules and regulations of the city and shall make all necessary connections for light and power.
d.
He shall approve the location and installation of water meters and in the absence of the city tapper, shall make connections with the water main.
e.
He or his delegates shall have the right of free access to the property of the consumer during all reasonable hours of the day for the purpose of examining pipes, connections and meters.
f.
He shall be subject to the orders of the board and the power, light and water committee and shall perform such services as may be assigned to him by them. He shall act as consultant and advisor to the power, light and water committee and when requested shall make report to such committee in writing on any matters connected with his department.
g.
He may select, with approval of the board, an individual to act as "superintendent of utilities," who shall be known as such and who shall have such duties as may from time to time be designated by the city administrator and shall be paid such sum as is established by ordinance.
(8)
Meet with standing committees appointed by the mayor on matters concerning general and special administrative problems, who shall consult with and render advice to city administrator on such matters.
(9)
Attend all meetings of the board of aldermen and have the right to appear before and address the board of aldermen at any meeting.
(10)
Have responsibility for all real and personal property of the city. He shall have responsibility for all inventories of such property, and for the upkeep of all such property. Personal property may be sold by the administrator only with approval of the board of aldermen. Real property may be sold only with the approval of the board of aldermen by resolution or ordinance.
(11)
Supervise the procurement of all materials, supplies, equipment and contractual services for which funds are provided in the budget in compliance with the purchasing procedure set forth in section 3-309 of this Code.
(12)
Supervise the preparation of all bid specifications for services and equipment; receive sealed bids for presentation to the board of aldermen.
(13)
Perform other such duties as may be required by the board of aldermen, not inconsistent with the state statutes, laws or ordinances.
(14)
Account to the mayor and board of aldermen for any actions taken when requested to do so, and at all times shall be subject to supervision, control and direction of the mayor and board of aldermen.
(Ord. No. 1995, § 8; Ord. No. 2993, § 2, 3-26-90; Ord. No. 08-97, § 1, 11-3-08)