City Council Agenda
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Memo to: |
Manteca City Council |
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From: |
Kousha Mckeenejad, Deputy City Attorney |
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Date: |
June 2, 2026 |
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Subject: |
Amendment of MMC Chapter 2.08 “CITY MANAGER”, Section 2.08.070, “Powers and duties” |
Recommendation:
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Waive the first reading by substitution of the title and introduce an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Manteca, State of California, amending Chapter 2.08 “CITY MANAGER” section 2.08.070 “Powers and duties” to grant City Manager the sole authority to appoint an Assistant City Manager.
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Background:
The Manteca Municipal Code (MMC), Chapter 2.08 “CITY MANAGER” establishes the powers and responsibilities governing the office of the City Manager within the City of Manteca (“City”).
Section 2.08.070(C) of the MMC “Powers and duties” sets forth who the City Manager may appoint or remove, including the power to appoint an Assistant City Manager subject to the approval of the City Council.
The approval requirement in Section 2.08.070(C) is anomalous within that section, which otherwise grants the City Manager broad, independent authority to appoint, remove, and demote all officers and employees of the City, with the sole exception of the City Attorney. The Assistant City Manager is not distinguished from other department heads or executive staff in any functional way that justifies different treatment, and singling out this one position for Council confirmation is inconsistent with the organizational structure Section 2.08.070 otherwise establishes and with council‐manager governance principles applicable to California general law cities.
Under standard council‑manager governance, the City Council sets policy direction, and the City Manager administers day‑to‑day operations, including personnel decisions. Requiring the governing body to approve a single direct‑report position creates unnecessary overlap and blurs operational authority.
Executive‑level hiring often requires timely decision‑making. Eliminating a council‑approval requirement reduces administrative delay and allows the City Manager to assemble and manage the executive team efficiently.
The Assistant City Manager role supports the City Manager in managing citywide operations, implementing Council policy, and supervising department heads. Direct appointment authority better reflects the working relationship needed between the City Manager and Assistant City Manager.
This Ordinance also clarifies that the City Manager shall have authority to appoint more than one Assistant City Manager when operationally necessary to support citywide administration, consistent with the City Manager’s general authority over personnel structure and organizational design.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
Documents Attached:
1. Attachment 1 - Ordinance
2. Attachment 2 - Redlined Ordinance