§ 7.01. Established.

(a)

Appointment and removals. Neither the mayor nor the council nor any of its members shall in any manner dictate the appointment or removal of any city administrative officers or employees whom the city administrator or any of the subordinates are empowered to appoint, but the council or mayor may express their views and full and freely discuss with the city administrator, anything pertaining to appointment and removal of such officers and employees.

(b)

Interference with administration. Except for the purpose of inquiries and investigations, the mayor[,] the council or its members shall deal with city officers and employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the city administrator solely through the administrator, and neither the mayor, the council, nor its members shall give orders to any such officer or employee, either publicly or privately. Nothing in the foregoing is to be construed to prohibit individual members of the council or the mayor from closely scrutinizing by questions and personal observation, all aspects of city government operations so as to obtain independent information to assist the members in the formulation of sound policies to be considered by the council. It is the express intent of this Charter, however, that recommendations for improvement in city government operations by individual councilmembers or the mayor be made to and through the city administrator so that the administrator may coordinate efforts of all city departments to achieve the greatest possible savings through the most efficient and sound means available.

(c)

Holding other office. No former elected city official shall hold any compensated appointive city office or employment until one (1) year after the expiration of the term for which elected, except that a former elected official may be appointed to any elective position.