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See Part n-c <br /> <br />Minn. Stat. §§ 412.611 <br />al~d 412.621 <br /> <br />the council-manager plan. In this type of government, the council <br />exercises the legislative power of the city and determines all matters <br />of policy, similar to a board of directors in a private sector company. <br />The city manager formulates policy recommendations to the city <br />council, and administers and implements the policies--much as a <br />CEO would do in a private sector company. <br /> <br />The council-manager plan was first created in the early 1900s as a <br />means through which government could be "professionalized." It <br />reflects both the parliamentary approach to government and the <br />corporate business model in its structure and ideals. Early <br />proponents of the council-manager form of government believed it <br />accomplished the following worthy goals: <br /> <br />It replaced the divisiveness of some other forms of <br />government with a more unified model of government in <br />which the council had both legislative and administrative <br />authority. <br /> <br />It placed responsibility for day-to-day administration of city <br />business in the hands of a professional manager rather than <br />elected officials. <br /> <br />A. Form of government <br /> <br />The city manager position is found in statutory cities that adopt to <br />become Optional Plan B cities. The Plan B form of government is <br />also called the council-manager plan. This form of government is <br />also available to home rule charter cities that provide for the council- <br />manager plan in their charters. Under-the council-manager plan, the <br />council retains policy-making and legislative authority, and <br />delegates administration of local government to a manager. The <br />manager is responsible directly to the council and subject to council <br />removal. The manager appoints administrative department heads, <br />usually without the necessity for council approval. <br /> <br />The council as a whole retains ultimate administrative as well as <br />legislative responsibility and authority, except where an independent <br />board (such as an utilities commission) has one or more specific <br />functions. <br /> <br />B. Powers and duties <br /> <br />The Plan B city manager's duties are found in state statute, although <br />many councils will delegate additional responsibilities to this <br />individual. In home rule charter cities, the responsibilities are often <br />similar. <br /> <br />Cily Adminit)$trator <br /> <br />23 <br /> <br />-40- <br /> <br /> <br />