(a) City-owned vehicles shall only be operated by officials and employees of the Municipality while engaged in the direct function of governmental activities or in the course of their employment. All other use of City-owned vehicles is prohibited, except as otherwise specified herein.
(b) The City Manager shall have the authority to operate City-owned vehicles for personal use, subject to the restrictions contained in subsection (f) below.
(c) The City Manager shall have the authority to assign the use of City-owned vehicles to department heads and employees.
(d) The City Manager may authorize employees to operate City-owned vehicles for personal use at his sole discretion. Any such personal use is subject to the restrictions contained in subsection (f) below.
(e) Members of City Council may operate City-owned vehicles while engaged in the direct function of governmental activities incidental to carrying out their powers, duties and responsibilities as set forth in the Charter pursuant to such rules and regulations as Council may adopt and as specified herein.
(f) City-owned vehicles are to be operated in a safe and responsible manner at all times. Any indication of irresponsible use may result in revocation of use of the vehicle, or disciplinary action and possible dismissal. Irresponsible action may include, but not be limited to:
(1) Speeding;
(2) Reckless operation;
(3) Drinking alcoholic beverages and operating a City vehicle or any relationship whatsoever with alcoholic beverages or drugs;
(4) Discourteous use of the vehicle;
(5) Discourteous action of an employee while in a City vehicle;
(6) Violation of any City or State traffic regulation;
(7) Having family members as passengers, unless personal use of the City- owned vehicle has been authorized by the City Manager;
(8) Having persons as passengers unless the employee is engaged in the direct function of governmental activities; unless personal use of the City-owned vehicle has been authorized by the City Manager;
(9) Allowing or enabling anyone other than a City employee to operate the City-owned vehicle, except in an emergency, even if personal use of such vehicle has been authorized by the City Manager.
(Ord. 1375-00. Passed 5-25-00.)