Except for the purpose of inquiry or investigation, the members of the council shall deal with the administrative employees of the city solely through the city manager. No member of council shall take the initiative in the appointment or removal of officers or employees subordinate to the city manager. Neither the council nor any member or committee thereof shall give any orders to a subordinate of the city manager either publicly or privately. Any council member who violates any of the provisions of this section or votes for any ordinance or resolution in violation thereof shall be guilty of malfeasance in office and upon conviction thereof he shall cease to be a council member and shall be ineligible to hold further office or employment in the city government for a period of two years.