The City Manager may designate, by letter filed with the Clerk of Council, any qualified administrative officer of the City to perform his duties during his temporary absence or disability. If such a designation has not been made, and the City Manager is unable to perform his duties or to make such a designation, the Council may, by resolution, appoint any qualified administrative officer of the City to perform the duties of the City Manager until he shall return or his disability cease.

The City Manager shall serve for an indefinite term, subject to removal by Council at any time by a majority vote of all the members elected thereto. At least thirty days before such removal shall become effective, Council shall adopt a preliminary resolution stating the reasons for the removal. The City Manager may reply in writing and may request a public hearing, which shall be held not earlier than twenty days nor later than thirty days after the filing of the request, before the full Council. After such public hearing, if one is requested, after full consideration, Council may adopt a final resolution of removal. By the preliminary resolution Council may suspend the City Manager from duty and designate an Acting City Manager, but shall cause to be paid to the City Manager forthwith any salary due him up to the date of his suspension. Upon removal, unless for misconduct of the City Manager involving moral turpitude, he shall be paid his salary for the period of suspension from duty and for the next two months following the removal. In case of the voluntary resignation of the City Manager, Council and the City Manager shall agree upon the effective date of the resignation.

Except for the purpose of inquiry or investigation, the members of Council shall deal with the administrative employees of the City solely through the City Manager. No member of Council shall take the initiative in the appointment or removal of officers or employees subordinate to the City Manager. Neither Council nor any member or committee thereof shall give any orders to a subordinate of the City Manager either publicly or privately. Any Council member who violates any of the provisions of this section or votes for any ordinance or resolution in violation thereof shall be guilty of malfeasance in office and upon conviction thereof he shall cease to be Council member and shall be ineligible to hold further office or employment in the City government.