(a) 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 or she is temporarily absent from the city, or unable to perform the duties of his or her office.
(b) The city manager’s compensation shall be set by the council.
(c) The city manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the city government. The council on the basis of education, ability, training and experience shall appoint him or her. He or she shall serve at the pleasure of, and be subject to removal by the council, but shall not be removed from office during a period of sixty (60) days following any regular city election except by the affirmative vote of five (5) members of the council.
(d) The council may enter into an employment contract with the City Manager which may extend beyond the terms of the council.