A. Appointment and Qualifications. The City Council, by a majority vote of its total membership, shall select, appoint, contract with, and fix the compensation of a qualified individual for the position of City Manager.
B. Powers and Duties of the City Manager. The City Manager shall be the chief executive and administrative officer (CEO) of the City and shall be recognized by the courts for civil process involving the City. The City Manager shall be responsible to the Council for the administration of all City affairs placed in the Manager’s charge by or under this Charter. The City Manager shall have the following powers, duties, and functions:
(1) Appoint, employ, or hire City employees and department or division heads, when such positions are authorized by Council, and suspend, remove, or otherwise discipline City employees and department or division heads in accordance with the City’s Personnel Manual, with the exception of those under the direct supervision of the Council, the Finance Director or the Law Director. The City Manager may authorize any administrative officer who is subject to his or her direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that officer’s department, division, office, or agency.
(2) Execute, on behalf of the City, all contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, conveyances, evidences of indebtedness and any other instruments to which the City is a party, except as otherwise required or provided by this Charter or Ohio law.
(3) Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the City, except those under the direct supervision of the Finance Director or the Law Director or as otherwise provided by this Charter or by law.
(4) Attend City Council meetings and make recommendations to the Council concerning the affairs of the City. The City Manager shall have the right to take part in discussion but shall not vote. The City Manager’s office shall also provide staff support services for the Council.
(5) Prepare and submit the annual City budget and capital programs to the Council.
(6) See that all laws, provisions of this Charter and acts of the Council, subject to enforcement by the City Manager or by officers subject to the Manager’s direction and supervision, are faithfully executed.
(7) Make an annual “State of the City” address prior to March 1st of the next year, which address shall be made available to the public.
(8) Make such other reports as the Council may require concerning the operation of City departments, offices, and agencies subject to the City Manager’s direction and supervision.
(9) Act as the Public Safety Director for the City.
(10) Perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter or as may be required by the City Council.
C. Acting and Interim City Manager.
(1) Should a vacancy in the office of the City Manager occur, or during periods of temporary absence or disability of the City Manager lasting thirty (30) days or more, the Assistant City Manager shall serve as the Interim City Manager, unless a majority of the Council appoints another Interim City Manager to fill the temporary vacancy.
(2) In cases where the City Manager is vacant from his or her office for a period of less than thirty (30) days due to vacation, illness or other leave, the Assistant City Manager shall serve as the Acting City Manager, unless the City Manager appoints another to serve as Acting City Manager in his or her absence, by administrative directive.