(a) 
The administrative officers of the city shall be the City Manager, Assessor, City Attorney, City Auditor, Clerk, Treasurer, the department heads, and members of city boards. The Council may, by ordinance, upon the recommendation of the City Manager, create additional administrative offices, or combine any administrative offices in any manner not inconsistent with law, and prescribe the duties thereof as it may deem necessary for the proper operation of the city government. No creation of any administrative office, nor any combination thereof, shall abolish the office of the City Manager, nor diminish the duties or responsibilities of that office, as set forth in this charter.
(b) 
In making appointments of administrative officers, the appointing authority shall consider only the good of the public service and the fitness of the appointee for and his ability to discharge the duties of the office to which he is appointed, subject to the prohibitions set forth in Section 6.19 of this chapter.
(a) 
The City Manager and the City Attorney shall be appointed by and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Council, which body shall also set their compensation.
(b) 
The Assessor, the Clerk, the Treasurer, the City Auditor when the Council separates that position from the office of the Clerk, and all officers who are not required to be appointed by the Council, the Mayor, or an administrative board shall be appointed by the City Manager, subject to the confirmation of the Council. The City Manager may, at any time, remove any officer of the city who is appointed by him, except that any removal shall first be subject to the approval of such action by the Council. Each such removal shall constitute a suspension from office, until approved or confirmed by the Council. If within 10 days after such removal by the City Manager, the person removed shall file with the Clerk a petition for a hearing on his removal before the Council, the City Manager shall, within five days after such filing, file with the Clerk a statement of the reasons for his action and the Council shall hear the person removed and the City Manager with regard thereto. Such hearing shall be held and the Council shall approve or disapprove the action of the City Manager within 30 days after the filing of his reasons by the City Manager.
(c) 
All persons employed by the city who are not elective or administrative officers, or members of a board created by this charter, or declared to be administrative officers by or under authority of this section, shall be deemed to be employees of the city.
(d) 
The compensation of all administrative officers except that of the City Manager and Attorney, shall be set by the City Manager in accordance with budget appropriations.
(a) 
To be eligible for appointment as City Manager, a person must have had training for or previous experience in city, public, or business administration.
(b) 
The Council shall be responsible for all phases of the city government except the judicial. The City Manager shall be the direct administrative agent of the Council, shall be vested with all administrative powers of the City, except as otherwise provided by this charter, and shall perform the duties of his office under the authority of, and be accountable to, the Council. Except as otherwise provided in this charter, all administrative officers, other than the City Attorney and members of city boards, shall be responsible to him for the performance of their duties.
(c) 
It shall be the duty of the City Manager to:
(1) 
Supervise and coordinate the work of the administrative officers and departments of the city, except as otherwise provided in this charter, and except the work of the Clerk insofar as set forth and required of him by Section 6.4 (a) of this chapter;
(2) 
Prepare and submit to the Council the annual budget proposal of the city, together with supporting information in explanation thereof;
(3) 
Establish and maintain a central purchasing service for the city;
(4) 
Supervise and coordinate the personnel policies and practices of the city;
(5) 
Keep informed and report to the Council concerning the work of the several administrative offices and departments of the city, and to that end, he may secure from the administrative officers and department heads such information and periodic or special reports as he or the Council may deem necessary;
(6) 
In case of conflict of authority between officers and administrative departments, or in case of absence of administrative authority, occasioned by inadequacy of charter or ordinance provisions, resolve the conflict or supply the necessary authority, so far as may be consistent with law and the ordinances of the city, and direct the necessary action to be taken in conformance therewith, making a full report immediately to the Council;
(7) 
Attend all meetings of the Council, with the right to be heard in all administrative matters before the Council, but without the right to vote;
(8) 
Recommend to the Council, from time to time, such measures as he deems necessary or appropriate for the improvement of the city or its services;
(9) 
Prepare and maintain an administrative code which, when adopted by the Council, shall supplement this charter in establishing the duties and functions of each officer and department of the city;
(10) 
Furnish the Council with information concerning city affairs, and prepare and submit such reports as may be required or which the Council may request, including an annual report, which shall consolidate the reports of the several officers and departments of the city;
(11) 
Possess such further powers and perform such additional duties as may be granted to or required of him, from time to time, by the Council, so far as may be consistent with the provisions of law and the ordinances of the city.
(a) 
The Clerk shall be clerk of the Council and of each appointive Board of the city, except as otherwise provided by this charter. He or his deputy shall attend all meetings of the Council and of each board of the city, and shall keep a permanent journal of the proceedings thereof, in the English language.
(b) 
He shall be the custodian of all official actions and rules of the Council and of each department and board of the city. The records of such actions, rules, and ordinances, or copies thereof, when certified by him under the seal of the city, shall be prima facie evidence thereof for all purposes.
(c) 
He shall give to the proper officials ample notice of all actions of the Council and boards of the city and of the expiration or termination of their terms of office and of any official bonds, as well as of franchises, contracts, or agreements to which the city is a party.
(d) 
He shall have power to administer all oaths required by law and the ordinances of the city.
(e) 
He shall perform such other duties in connection with his office as may be required of him by administrative order of the City Manager, with the approval of the Council, and by law, or the ordinances or resolutions of the Council.
(a) 
The City Auditor shall be the general accountant of the city, shall keep the books of account of the assets, receipts, and expenditures of the city, and shall keep the Council and the City Manager informed as to the financial affairs. He shall provide the accounting system of the city and each of its departments. The accounting system shall conform to uniform systems that may be required by law.
(b) 
He shall maintain an inventory of city-owned property.
(c) 
He shall balance all the books of account of the city at the end of each calendar month, and shall make a report thereon to the City Manager.
(d) 
He shall, at any time upon direction of the City Manager, examine and audit all books of account kept by any official or department of the city. He shall examine and test-check all books of account of the Treasurer and the Municipal Court at least once each month.
(e) 
He shall perform such other duties as the Council, or the City Manager with the approval of the Council, shall direct.
(f) 
Until such time as the Council shall provide for an independent City Auditor, by ordinance adopted upon the recommendation therefor by the City Manager, the Clerk shall be and perform the duties of the City Auditor.
(a) 
The Attorney shall act as the legal advisor of and be responsible to the Council in all respects concerning the performance of the functions of his official duties. He shall advise the City Manager concerning legal problems affecting the city administration and the Clerk, Treasurer, and Assessor concerning their statutory and charter duties, when so requested. He shall file with the Clerk a copy of all written opinions given by him.
(b) 
He shall prosecute ordinance violations and shall represent the city in cases before courts and other tribunals.
(c) 
He shall prepare or review all ordinances, regulations, contracts, bonds, and such other instruments as may be required by law or by the Council, and shall promptly give his opinion as to the legality thereof.
(d) 
He shall attend the meetings of the Council.
(e) 
He shall be the attorney for the several boards of the city.
(f) 
He shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed for him by this charter or the Council.
(g) 
Upon the attorney's recommendation, or upon its own initiative, the Council may provide for an assistant to the City Attorney and may retain special legal counsel to handle any matter in which the city has an interest, or to assist the City Attorney in connection therewith.
(a) 
The Treasurer shall have the custody of all moneys of the city, the Clerk's bond, if there be one, and all evidences of the value belonging to or held in trust by the city.
(b) 
He shall keep and deposit all moneys or funds in such manner and only in such places as the Council may determine or as may be required by law.
(c) 
He shall have such powers, duties, and prerogatives in regard to the collection and custody of state, county, school district, and city taxes and moneys as are conferred by law.
(d) 
He shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or by the Council, and by the City Manager with the approval of the Council.
The Clerk, the Treasurer, and the City Auditor may appoint and remove their deputies, subject to the budget allowances therefor and the approval of the City Manager relative to appointments. Each deputy shall possess all the powers and authorities of his superior officer.
(a) 
The Assessor shall possess all the powers vested in and shall be charged with all the duties imposed upon assessing officers by law.
(b) 
He shall make and prepare all regular and special assessment rolls in the manner prescribed by law.
(c) 
He shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or the Council, or by the City Manager with the approval of the Council.
(a) 
The City Engineer, if there be one, shall be appointed by and responsible to the City Manager. He shall be qualified by law for performing engineering design and supervision of public works and by training and experience in the field of sanitary and public works engineering. He shall be the official surveyor of the city and shall perform such duties on behalf of the city as are required by law to be performed by an engineer.
(b) 
The City Engineer or the City Manager shall preserve in his office records concerning the boundaries of the city, the location of city streets, alleys, and public places, and the location of all utility and sewer mains, lines, conduits, manholes, valves, junctions, and appurtenances located therein or thereon.
(c) 
The City Engineer or the City Manager shall make, or cause to be made, all necessary surveys, maps, plats, diagrams, plans, and specifications for all public improvements, buildings, and grounds of the city. The Council and the Board of Public Utilities, with approval of the Council, shall each have the power to employ the engineering services of any qualified engineer or engineering firm in connection with any specific engineering work. Such services may be performed in conjunction with or independently of the City Engineer at the direction of the Council, but a copy of all final plans and specifications provided by such engineer or engineering firm shall be filed with the City Engineer or the City Manager.
(a) 
The Police Department shall be in charge of the Chief of Police, who shall be appointed by and responsible to the City Manager.
(b) 
Police Officers of the city shall have all the powers, immunities, and privileges granted to peace officers by law for the making of arrests, the preservation of order, and the safety of persons and property in the city. Any person arrested shall be taken before the proper magistrate or court for examination or trial, without unnecessary delay. Police Officers shall make and sign complaints to or before the proper officers and magistrates against any person known to be, or, upon complaint or information, believed to be guilty of any violation of this charter or ordinances of the city, or of the penal laws of the State. For purposes of making arrests, violations of this charter and of city ordinances shall be deemed to be misdemeanors.
[Amended 11-7-2000]
(a) 
The Fire Department shall be under the direction of the Fire Chief, who shall be appointed by and responsible to the City Manager, and shall be staffed by full-time professional firefighters.
[Amended 11-4-2014]
(b) 
The Fire Department shall be responsible for the prevention and extinguishment of fires and the protection of persons and property against damage and accident resulting therefrom. The Fire Chief shall be responsible for the use, care, and management of the city's fire fighting apparatus and property. He shall conduct supervisory and educational programs to diminish the risk of fires within the city. He, or any of his authorized subordinates, may command any person present at a fire to aid in the extinguishment thereof, and to assist in the protection of life or property. If any person wilfully disobeys any such lawful requirement, he shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this charter.
(c) 
The Fire Chief or any of his authorized subordinates, with the concurrence of the Mayor, or the City Manager, or of any two Councilmen, may cause any building to be pulled down or destroyed when deemed necessary in order to arrest the progress of a fire. In such case no action shall be maintained against the city or any person therefor. If any person having an interest in such building shall apply to the Council within three months after the fire for damages or compensation for such building, the Council may pay him such compensation as it may deem just. The Council may ascertain the amount of such damage or compensation by agreement with the owner of the property, or by the appraisal of a jury selected in the same manner as in the case of juries selected to appraise damages for the taking of property for public use. No compensation shall be paid on account of any loss which would probably have occurred to a building, if it had not been pulled down or destroyed under authority of this section.
(a) 
To afford citizen participation in the affairs of the city government for the purpose of determining community needs and means of meeting such needs through the government of the city, the following citizens boards are established:
(1) 
A Library Board.
(2) 
A Recreation Board.
(b) 
Each of such boards shall be comprised of five citizens of the city who have the qualifications required by this charter for elective officers of the city: Provided, that, when the scope of interest of any board may extend beyond the limits of the city, one member of the board may be a nonresident of the city. Except as otherwise provided by this charter, no person shall serve on more than one board of the city. The terms of members of such boards shall be for five years, and shall be so arranged that the terms of one member of each board shall expire in each year. The members of such boards shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Council, and shall receive no compensation for their services to the city, but shall be allowed reasonable and actual expenses when incurred on behalf of the city and approved by the Council. The Council may appoint such additional non-voting members of any of such boards as the Council shall deem desirable.
(c) 
Each such board shall hold at least one meeting in each calendar month, and the minutes of each meeting shall be filed with the Clerk as a public record. If any member of a board shall fail to attend four consecutive board meetings, his membership on such board shall thereupon cease, and the vacancy for the balance of his term shall be filled as set forth in (b) above. The Council may remove any member of a board after a hearing, for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. Each such board shall consider the problems and functions of the city to which its name applies, and shall, from time to time, on its own motion or at the request of the Council, make investigations, reports, and recommendations thereon to the Council. Unless the Council shall otherwise provide by a vote of five or more of its members, all questions presented to the Council concerning the acquisition, extension, and improvement of library or recreation property facilities, or programs shall be submitted to the appropriate board for investigation and report to the Council thereon. If the Council desires that any matter be investigated by more than one of the said boards, such referrals may be made for the purpose of giving the Council the benefit of a full investigation of all aspects of the matter before it. In performing their duties and functions, the several boards shall be entitled to the benefit of the facilities and experience of the City Manager, the Planning Commission, and all other sources of information in the city bearing upon the scope of such duties and functions.
(d) 
If any recommendation of a board shall be disallowed by the Council for financial reasons, such recommendation shall be referred to in the budget statement of the City Manager for the next ensuing fiscal year of the city, and the Council shall give consideration to each such recommendation at the time it considers the budget covered by such statement of the City Manager.
(a) 
The city's park and cemetery and recreation properties and facilities and services shall constitute a department of the city government.
(b) 
The Council may provide by ordinance for a Director of Cemeteries and Parks as the coordinating and directing head of the department. Until such time as such office is created, the City Manager shall be responsible for the proper functioning of the department. The Director, if there be one, shall have general superintendence of and shall be appointed by and responsible to the City Manager for the operation and maintenance of the city's park and recreation properties, facilities, and programs. He or the City Manager, as the case may be, shall have the control and direction of the employees of the city who are assigned to or work for the department, subject to the provisions of this charter. Under and responsible to the Director, if there be one, otherwise the City Manager, there shall be a Park Superintendent who shall be responsible for the care and maintenance of the city's parks, and a Recreation Superintendent who shall be responsible for the recreational facilities and programs of the city.
(c) 
The Council shall provide in each annual budget of the city for the operation and conduct of the city's park and recreation properties, facilities, and programs, and shall appropriate for such purpose such amounts as will assure the operation and maintenance of the same in a manner consistent with the needs of the community.
(d) 
The Council shall provide and maintain a plan for financing the perpetual care of the city's cemeteries.
(e) 
The city may join and cooperate with the School District of the city and with any unit of government in the operation, maintenance, and improvement of park and recreation property and facilities, and in the conduct of recreational programs.
There shall be a Planning Commission. The voting members of the Planning Commission shall be nine in number, and shall be comprised of the Mayor, a member of the Council who shall be appointed by the Council annually in the month of April, an administrative officer of the city to be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council, and six persons, who possess the qualifications required by this charter for elective officers, and by Act No. 285 of the Public Acts of 1931, as amended, to be appointed by the Mayor subject to the approval thereof by the Council: Provided, that with the consent of the Council, one of such persons may be a non-resident of the city who has an interest in planning of the general area of which the City of Coldwater is a part. Each such person shall be appointed for a three year term and shall be subject to removal by the Mayor after a public hearing for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. The Planning Commission shall possess and shall exercise all of the powers and functions granted to and required of planning commissions under the provisions of Act No. 285 of the Public Act of 1931, and such amendments and superseding acts as may be enacted. Insofar as practicable, there shall be representation on the Planning Commission from the Recreation Board created by Section 6.13 of this chapter.
The Council may create citizen advisory committees for the purpose of studying and investigating specific problems or needs of any department, function, or interest of the city where there is no board created to make such studies or investigations. Each such committee shall conduct its study in cooperation with the City Manager, and his subordinates and submit its findings and recommendations to the Council. Each such committee shall render its report to the Council within two years after its creation, and shall then cease to exist unless the work of the committee is extended thereafter by the Council for a period not exceeding one year.
From time to time, upon the recommendation of the City Manager, the Council may, by ordinance, prescribe additional powers and duties, not inconsistent with this charter, to be exercised and administered by appropriate officers and departments of the city.
Relatives by blood or marriage who are a brother, sister, spouse, parent, grandparent, child, or grandchild of the Mayor, any Councilman, the City Manager, any member of the Board of Light and Power or its Director, or bear such relationship to any of their spouses, shall not be qualified to hold any appointive office or to be employed by the city during the term for which any such officers were elected, or appointed or during the tenure of office of such City Manager or Director, except and unless they are bona fide appointive officers or employees of the city at the time of election or appointment of such officers or Director. If the status of relationship between any employee of the city and a person holding one of the positions enumerated herein changes to a relationship prohibited hereby, following employment of such employee or the election or appointment of a person holding one of the enumerated positions, the provisions of this section shall not apply.
The Council may provide, by ordinance, for a merit system of personnel management for employees in the service of the city. Whether or not a merit system plan of personnel management be adopted, the standards for employment and the salary and wage scales for comparable city positions of employment and work in all city departments shall be as uniform as possible.
The Council shall have power to make available to the administrative officers and employees of the city, other than members of the several boards, any recognized standard plan of group life, hospital, health, or accident insurance, either independently of, or as a supplement to, any pension plan provided by the city for its employees.
The pension plan of the city which was in effect on the effective date of this charter shall remain in full force and effect as it existed on such effective date, except as it may be hereafter altered or changed as permitted by law.