Neither Council, nor its committees or members, shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or his removal from, office or employment by the Manager, or in any manner take part in the appointment, discipline, or removal of subordinates and employees in the administrative service of the municipality Council, its committees, and its members shall deal with that portion of the service of the municipality for which the Manager is responsible solely through the Manager, and neither Council, nor its committees or members, shall give any orders to any subordinate of the Manager. In case any member shall be found by Council to have violated this section, Council shall declare his seat vacant. Council may, however, inquire into the conduct of any office or department, the performance of any contract, or any of the affairs of the municipality, and may in the exercise of such power compel or authorize a committee to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, and other evidence under penalty of law.