The city administrator need not be a resident of the City at the time the council makes the appointment, but may reside outside the City while in office only with the approval of the council, as described in M.S. § 415.16, subd. 2. The city administrator shall be appointed for an indefinite term and may be removed at any time by an affirmative vote of a majority of the council; but after one year of service the city administrator may demand written charges and a public hearing on the charges before the council prior to the effective date of final removal. After the hearing, if one is demanded, the council shall have unlimited discretion either to reinstate the administrator or affirm final removal. Pending the hearing and removal, the council may suspend the administrator from office. With the approval of the council, the administrator may designate some properly qualified person to perform the duties of the administrator during any absence or disability of the city administrator or while the office is vacant.
Subd. 1. The enforcement of this Charter and the laws, ordinances, and resolutions of the City.
Subd. 2. The appointment, supervision, removal or transfer, upon the basis of merit and fitness and subject to applicable personnel rules, all heads of departments and City employees.
Subd. 3. The direction and supervision of all departments and offices of the City, except Hutchinson Utilities as otherwise provided by law or Charter.
Subd. 4. The city administrator shall attend all meetings of the council and may take part in discussion but not vote; but may be excluded from any meeting at which the city administrator’s removal is considered, if the council, in its discretion so chooses.
Subd. 5. The city administrator shall recommend to the council for adoption such measures as are necessary for the welfare of the people and the efficient administration of the City’s affairs.
Subd. 6. The city administrator shall keep the council fully advised on the financial condition and needs of the City, and shall prepare and submit to the council the annual budget and capital program.
Subd. 7. The city administrator shall submit to the council and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City at the end of each fiscal year.
Subd. 8. The City administrator shall perform such other duties as are prescribed by this Charter or may be required by the council.
Section 6.03. ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION. The council may by resolution establish City departments, offices, enterprise funds and agencies and prescribe their functions. No power or duty conferred by this Charter upon a particular department, office, enterprise fund or agency shall be transferred to any other. Department means any City function organized under the direct control of a single department head. Office means a City function carried out by a single individual. Enterprise fund means an organization which provides a quasi public service, recovering its costs primarily through user fees, with any surplus periodically deposited in the City general fund. Agency means an organization which carries out a City function, funding its operations primarily through ad valorem taxes, grants, and appropriations from the City budget.
Section 6.05. PURCHASES AND CONTRACTS. The city administrator shall be the chief purchasing agent of the City. Subject to Chapters 11 and 12, all City purchases and contracts shall be made or let by the city administrator, either personally or by appropriate delegation. The amount shall be governed by ordinance. All other purchases shall be made and all other contracts let by the council after the recommendation of the City administrator has first been obtained. Contracts shall be made in compliance with the uniform contracting law, and whenever competitive bids are required, the contract shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder. All contracts, bonds, and instruments of any kind to which the City is a party shall be signed by the mayor and the city administrator on behalf of the City and shall be executed in the name of the City. The council may by ordinance adopt further regulations for the making of bids and the letting of contracts.