Following nomination by the Mayor or as otherwise set forth in § 4.3 of this Charter, the City Council, shall appoint a City Manager for an indefinite term and fix the Manager's compensation. The City Manager shall be appointed on the basis of education and experience in the accepted competencies and practices of local government management. The City Manager need not be a resident of the City or State at the time of appointment.
The Council may, by a majority vote of its total membership, remove the City Manager at any time, with or without cause.
By letter filed with the Mayor and Council, the City Manager shall designate a City officer or employee to exercise the powers and perform the duties of City Manager during the Manager's temporary absence or disability.
The City Manager shall be the Chief Administrative and Operating Officer of the City, responsible to the Council for the management of all City affairs placed in the Manager's charge by or under this Charter. The City Manager shall:
(1) 
Appoint and suspend or remove all City employees and appointive administrative officers provided for by or under this Charter, except as otherwise provided by law, this Charter or personnel rules adopted pursuant to this Charter. The City Manager shall appoint the directors of departments. The City Manager may authorize any administrative officer subject to the Manager's direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that officer's department, office or agency. The City Manager shall annually submit a human resources manual to the City Council for approval.
(2) 
Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the City, except as otherwise provided by this Charter or by law.
(3) 
Attend all City Council meetings. The City Manager shall have the right to take part in discussion but shall not vote.
(4) 
Prepare the annual budget and any necessary capital budget as may be required by the Administrative Code set forth in § 8.1 for the Mayor and the City Council, and implement the final budget approved by Council to achieve the goals of the City.
(5) 
Submit to the Mayor and City 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.
(6) 
Make such other reports as the City Council may require concerning operations and recommend plans, performance measures, and benchmarks to the Mayor to be included in the annual "State of the City and Its Government" message.
(7) 
Keep the Mayor and City Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the City.
(8) 
Provide staff support services for the Mayor and Council members.
(9) 
Perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter or may be required by the City Council, including, but not limited to, the faithful execution of all laws, provisions of this Charter, and acts of the City Council.