Appendix A · Charter Ordinances

Charter Ordinance No. 19

5 sections

A CHARTER ORDINANCE CREATING THE POSITION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR IN THE CITY OF ST. JOHN, KANSAS, EXEMPTIMG THE CITY FROM K.S.A. 15-204, K.S.A. 15-209, AND K.S.A. 15-301, PROVIDING SUBSTITUTE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.

WHEREAS, The City of St. John, Kansas, a mayor/council city of the third class, by the power vested in it by Article 12, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, hereby elects to exempt itself from the following statutes: K.S.A. 15-204, K.S.A. 15-209, and K.S.A. 15-301, which apply to the City of St. John, Kanas but do not apply uniformly to all cities in Kansas; and

WHEREAS, in replace of the above statutes and to create efficiencies in the administration of the municipal government, the City hereby enacts substitute and additional provisions and creates the officer position of City Administrator to be the administrative head of the City of St. John under the direction and supervision of the Governing Body and the Mayor.

BE IT ORDAINED by the Governing Body of the City of St. John, Kansas:

SECTION 1.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR; APPOINTMENT. The Governing Body of the City shall have the authority to appoint a City Administrator for the city to be the administrative head of the municipal government under the direction and supervision of the Governing Body.

SECTION 2.

TERM OF OFFICE. The City Administrator shall be appointed for an indefinite period of time and shall be subject to discharge at the will of the Governing Body.

SECTION 3.

ACTING CITY ADMINISTRATOR. During the absence or disability of the City Administrator, the Governing Body may appoint an acting city administrator.

SECTION 4.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR. The powers and duties of the City Administrator shall be as follows:

(a)To devote all necessary time and attention to the affairs of the City and be responsible to the Governing Body for the efficient administration of the City’s affairs;

(b)Assure that all state and federal laws and all city ordinances and policies are enforced;

(c)Administer oaths for all purposes pertaining to the business and affairs of the City;

(d)Serve as financial office for the City as follows:

1. Prepare annual operating and capital improvement budgets for the approval by the Governing Body;

2. Oversee budget expenditures, revenues and accounting and make regular written financial reports to the Governing Body;

3. Adjust, with approval of the Governing Body, expenditures and budget allocations as needed to maintain fiscal integrity; and

4. Perform the duties of a purchasing officer by exercising general supervision over city purchases in accordance with the budget and policies established by the Governing Body.

(e)Serve as human resource management officer of the City as follows:

1. Subject to due process rights found in the city code, with the confirmation of the Council, appoint, removal, and discipline of all officers and heads of departments of the City, except the city attorney, municipal judge, and chief of police;

2. Provide day-to-day supervision of all department heads and general supervision over all city employees;

3. Make recommendations to the Council or department heads regarding the hire, discipline and removal of city employees;

4. Assure all city employees receive an annual performance evaluation;

5. With the assistance of the Mayor, conduct annual performance evaluations of department heads and appointive officers;

6. Recommend to the Council salary and pay increases for all officers and employees as required by city policy and within the discretion of the City Administrator;

7. Oversee city human resource city administrative actions and assure such actions are consistent with personnel policies and best practices; and

8. Recommend for Council consideration and approval, revisions as needed to the City’s pay plan and employee classification and the City’s employee handbook and personnel policies.

(f)Make recommendations to the Council for the appointment of individuals to the City appointed boards and commissions and monitor and coordinate the work of all City boards and commissioners;

(g)Make recommendations to the Governing Body to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of city services and government;

(h)Develop, with input from the Governing Body, the agendas for council meetings, prepare agenda packets, and attend council meetings and provide written or oral recommendations on agenda items;

(i)Oversee implementation of city contracts and agreements approved by the Governing Body;

(j)Provide for the inventory, care and maintenance of all city-owned land, buildings, property and equipment; and

(k)Perform all such duties as required by law or as directed by the Governing Body.

SECTION 5.

EMPLOYEE CHAIN OF COMMAND. To ensure a more efficient and orderly administration of city government, the Council adopts the following chain of command, which shall be implemented by the City Administrator:

(a)Subject to the authority granted herein, the City Administrator shall be designated as the primary supervisor and managerial authority regarding all non-elected personnel of the City of St. John, Kansas, whether they are employees or appointed officers.

(b)All department heads shall have management and supervisory authority over matters within their department, subject to the City Administrator’s supervisory authority over all non-elected personnel.

(c)City employees shall consult with their department heads regarding issues within their departments. Should an employee be dissatisfied with the resolution of any matter taken to the department head, the employee may take the matter to the City Administrator upon notice to the department head.

(d)In the event that department heads need guidance or direction in regard to matters related to their departments or in regard to the supervision and management of personnel within their department, they shall direct their requests to the City Administrator. If the department head is unable to reach the City Administrator, the department head shall refer their requests to the Mayor.

(e)In the event disputes arise between department heads and the City Administrator, such disputes shall be brought to the Mayor jointly by the department head and the City Administrator.

(f)Any department head that feels like he/she has been aggrieved by a decision or action of the City Administrator may appeal to the City Administrator’s decision or action to the Governing Body, with notice first to Mayor, at the next scheduled council meeting.

(05-07-2019)