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CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS

CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. CA-09-09

Introduced by Alderman Cordle

56LEGISLATIVE HISTORYFirst Reading: Public Hearing: Fiscal Impact Note: 120 Day Rule:10/12/0902/16/10Referred to: Meeting Date: Action Taken:Rules and City Gov’t78

A RESOLUTION concerning

910

City Manager Form of Government

1112

FOR

the purpose of establishing a city manager form of government by defining the13appointment, powers and responsibilities of the city manager as chief executive14of the City; reforming the office and duties of the Mayor; reforming the15appointment and duties of the city attorney; and, clarifying the role of the City16Council.1718

* * * * * * * * * * * *

repealing and reenacting with amendments the following portions of the City20Charter:21Article I, Section 222Article IV, Section 223Article IV, Section 324Article V, Section 125Article VI, Section 226Article VII, Section 22728

repealing the following portions of the City Charter:29Article V, Section 430Article VI, Section 2B3132

creating new the following portion of the City Charter:33Article VI, Section 53435* * * * * * * * * * * * *3637

SECTION I: BE IT ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY

CA-09-09Page 2

COUNCIL

that the Charter of the City of Annapolis shall be amended as follows:12

Article I, Section 2. Exercise of general powers.

34The power of the city shall be exercised solely by the mayor, the city council, and the5city manager the commissions, boards, and committees and by the officers, agents and6employees of the city acting under and by virtue of their respective authority as provided7by law

. The power of the City may be delegated to an exercised by subordinate8appointed personnel and public bodies as allowed by law.910

Article IV, Section 2. General powers and duties.

1112(a) The city council shall be the legislative body of the City of Annapolis vested with the13power to enact laws. The city council shall have the authority to enact all laws14necessary or convenient for the exercise of the powers granted to the City of Annapolis15for the proper functioning of the government of the city and for enforcement of these16laws.

The City Council shall be the legislative and policy making body of the City17government. Policy shall be made by the adoption of charter amendments, ordinances,18and resolutions under the Home-Rule and other powers conferred on the City of19Annapolis by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Maryland. The City Council shall20have final approval of operational and capital improvement budgets and any21modifications to those budgets. Except as otherwise provided by the city council, all22laws adopted by the council shall take effect upon the date of adoption.23(b) The city council shall sit as the planning and zoning authority of the city, except for24those functions delegated to the board of appeals, the planning commission or to the25planning and zoning director.26(c) The city council shall perform such other functions as specified in this Charter or by27ordinance, or as conferred upon local governing bodies by the laws of the State of28Maryland.29(d) Except for the purpose of inquiries and investigations, the City Council or its30members shall deal with City officials and employees who are subject to the direction31and supervision of the city manager solely through the city manager, and neither the32Council nor its members shall give orders to any such officer or employee, either33publicly or privately.34(e) The aldermen/alderwomen shall have staff as may be provided in the annual35budget. The selection, direction, and dismissal of such staff shall be governed by36ordinance.3738

Article IV, Sec. 3. Chairman Presiding officer.

39The mayor shall be the chairman

presiding officer of the city council and shall preside at40all Council meetings, shall be a voting member of the Council, and shall perform such41other City Council-related duties as may be specified.

4243

CA-09-09Page 3

Article V, Section 1. Chief

executive officer Role and staff of Mayor.

A. The mayor shall be the chief executive of the city; shall be the immediate supervisor2of the city administrator;

facilitate communication and understanding between elected3and appointed officials, including the city manager, and shall devote full time to the4duties of the office.5B. The office of the Mayor shall have support staff as is provided in the annual budget.6Such staff shall be subject to the supervision of the Mayor. The Mayor may deal directly7with the city attorney in legal and legislative matters.89

Article V, Section 2. Powers and duties Duties of the Mayor.

10The mayor may take the acknowledgment of any deed or instrument; shall sign all11ordinances, charter amendments, resolutions and instruments; shall cause to be12prepared annually an audited statement of the finances of the city as of the end of the13preceding fiscal year; may call upon any officer of the city entrusted with the receipt and14expenditure of public money for a statement of officer's account; shall advocate plans15that address demands for municipal services, enhance the quality of life, and strengthen16the economic vitality of the city; shall be the principal representative of the city in official17and ceremonial matters; shall develop and maintain intergovernmental relationships so18as to ensure that the interests, goals and objectives of the city are fulfilled; shall19supervise the city administrator; shall report to the city council annually on the state of20the city, its finances and administrative activities; shall see that the actions of the city21council are duly and faithfully executed; and shall perform such other executive duties22as may be prescribed by this Charter or required by the ordinances and resolutions of23the city council not inconsistent with this Charter or as may be necessarily implied from24the powers and duties herein specified.25

A. The duties of the Mayor are to (1) be a leader in forming policy; (2) be the official26representative of the City government in dealing with other public officials; (3) serve as27the ceremonial head of the City government; (4) present to the City Council any28suggested changes in the annual operating and capital improvement budgets as29prepared by the city manager; and, (5) present an annual state of the City report.30B. In addition to such other duties as may be provided in this Charter by law, the31Mayor’s duties include preparation of the Council’s meeting agenda, subject to approval32by the Council; submission of recommendations for legislation; except as otherwise33provided by this Charter or State law, the appointment of members of boards and34commissions; appointment of aldermen/alderwomen to City Council committees, subject35to approval of the Council; referral of all proposed ordinances and charter amendments36to the appropriate Council Committees; and, calling special meetings of the City Council37and City Council work sessions.3839

Article V, Section 4 . City attorney.

40The office of the mayor shall include the general counsel for the city who shall be known41as the city attorney. The city attorney shall be appointed on the basis of his/her42knowledge of municipal law and administration, shall be a member in good standing of43