Section 21. City manager.
A. The office of city manager is established as the administrative head of the city government. The city manager is responsible to the mayor and council for the proper administration of all city business. The city manager will assist the mayor and council in the development of city policies, and carry out policies established by ordinances and resolutions.
B. The city manager must:
1. Attend all council meetings unless excused by the mayor or council;
2. Make reports and recommendations to the mayor and council about the needs of the city;
3. Administer and enforce all city ordinances, resolutions, franchises, leases, contracts, permits, and other city decisions;
4. Appoint, supervise and remove city employees;
5. Organize city departments and administrative structure;
6. Prepare and administer the annual city budget;
7. Administer city utilities and property;
8. Encourage and support regional and intergovernmental cooperation;
9. Promote cooperation among the council, staff and citizens in developing city policies, and building a sense of common goals.
10. Perform other duties as directed by the council;
11. Delegate duties, but remain responsible for acts of all subordinates.
C. The city manager is entitled to sit with the council, but has no vote on questions before it. The city manager may take part in all Council discussions.
D. In case of the city manager's unauthorized absence from the city, disability to act as city manager, discharge by the council, or resignation, the mayor, with advice and consent of the councilors, shall appoint a city manager pro tem, who shall possess the powers and duties of the city manager. No city manager pro tem, however, may appoint or remove a city employee except with the approval of a majority of the entire Council.
E. No council member may directly or indirectly, by suggestion or otherwise, attempt to influence or coerce the city manager in the making of any appointment or the removal of any employee in the purchase of supplies or to exact a promise relative to an appointment from any candidate for city manager. A violation of this Subsection forfeits the office of the offending Council member after a public hearing by the council is held and the council determines that a violation of this Subsection has taken place. Nothing in this Subsection, however, prohibits the council in open session from fully and freely discussing with or suggesting to the manager anything pertaining to city affairs or the interest of the city.