Article XXIII. Miscellaneous Provisions.
Editor's Note: The catchlines of all the sections contained in this article were supplied by the editor.
Sec. 1. Authority of city manager to assign clerks, etc., to work in any department, etc.
Notwithstanding anything in this Charter contained, the city manager may from time to time, in order to facilitate the prompt, economical and efficient dispatch of city business, assign assistants, deputies, clerks or employees from any office or department of the city government to perform work or service in connection with any other office or department of the city government, or may assign any assistant, deputy, clerk, or employee of the city to work in more than one (1) of said offices or departments.
Sec. 2. Application to city of general laws of state.*
All general laws of the state applicable to municipal corporations, now or hereafter enacted, and which are not in conflict with the provisions of this Charter or with ordinances or resolutions adopted in pursuance of this Charter, shall be applicable to the city.
* It was held, under this section and section 6 of this article, in the case of Logan et ux. v. City of Glendale et al., 132 Cal. App. 169, 22 P. (2d) 552, that the city has power to avail itself of the provisions of the Vrooman Act relating to street assessments.
See also, Logan v. City of Glendale et al., 102 Cal. App. (2d) 864, 229 P. (2d) 128.
Sec. 3. Definition of "city," etc.
Whenever in this Charter the word "city" occurs, it means the City of Glendale, and every department, board or officer, whenever either is mentioned, means a department, board or officer, as the case may be, of the City of Glendale.
Sec. 4. (Repealed).
Editor's Note: This section was repealed by amendments approved at a municipal election held on April 5, 2005. It formerly dealt with increase of compensation of elective officers.
Sec. 5. Vacancy in city offices.
If any officer of the city shall die or remove from the city, or absent himself therefrom for more than thirty days consecutively, without the permission of the council, or if he shall fail to qualify by taking the oath of office and filing his official bonds, whenever such bond is required, within fifteen days from the time his certificate of election or appointment is mailed or delivered to him, or if he shall resign or be removed from office, or if his election shall be finally declared void by any competent tribunal, or if he shall be convicted of a felony, or if he shall be adjudged insane, or if he shall cease to discharge the duties of his office (other than that of member of the council) for two (2) consecutive months, unless prevented by sickness, his office shall become vacant.
Sec. 6. Opening, etc., of streets; planting of trees; public improvement not elsewhere provided for in Charter; removal of dirt, rubbish, weeds, etc.*
The improvement, widening and opening of streets, the planting of trees, and all public improvements not specified in this Charter may be done, and assessments therefor may be levied in conformity with and under the authority conferred by general laws; provided, however, that the council may by ordinance adopt a procedure for the improvements of streets, alleys or other public places, or for the removal of dirt, rubbish, weeds and other rank growths and materials which may injure or endanger neighboring property or the health or the welfare of inhabitants of the vicinity, from buildings, lots and grounds and the sidewalks opposite thereto, and for making and enforcing assessments against property benefited or affected thereby or from which such removal is made, for the cost of such improvement or removal, and may make such assessments a lien on such property superior to all other claims or liens thereon, except state, county and municipal taxes, but no such ordinance shall prevent the council from proceeding under general laws for said purposes.
* It was held, under this section and section 2 of this article, in the case of Logan et ux. v. City of Glendale et al., 132 Cal. App. 169, 22 P. (2d) 552, that the city has power to avail itself of the provisions of the Vrooman Act relating to street assessments.
See also, Logan v. City of Glendale, 102 Cal. App. (2d) 864, 229 P. (2d) 128.
In the case of City of Glendale v. Trondsen, 48 A. C. 91, 308 P. (2d) 1, it was held that the property assessment was nothing more than a permissive method and not a limitation on other methods.
Sec. 7. Delivery of papers, etc., to successors in office.
All officers and boards shall deliver to their successors, all papers, books, documents, records, archives and other properties pertaining to their respective offices or departments, in their possession or under their control.
Sec. 8. Prohibitions applicable to specified officers; Government Code sections adopted.
Wherever applicable to city officers article 4 of chapter 1 of division 4 of title 1 of the Government Code of the State of California entitled "Prohibitions Applicable to Specified Officers," as it now exists or hereafter may be amended, is hereby made a part of this Charter. In addition, no officer or employee of the city shall receive any gratuity or advantage from any contractor or person furnishing labor or material to the city under a contract which is made or administered by such officer or
employee or by any body or board of which he is a member.
Sec. 9. Officers, etc., to be United States citizens.
All officers, and such other persons as specified by local, state or federal law, must be citizens of the United States during their period of employment.
Sec. 10. Payment for nomination, etc., to office.
No officer or employee of the city shall give or promise to give to any person, any portion of his compensation, or any money or thing of value in consideration of having been, or of being nominated, appointed, voted for or elected to any office or employment.
Sec. 11. Acceptance by officers, etc., of donation or gratuity from applicant, subordinate, etc., for position with city.
No officer or employee shall accept any donation or gratuity in money, or other thing of value, either directly or indirectly, from any subordinate or employee, or from anyone under his charge, or from any candidate or applicant for any position as employee or subordinate in any department of the city.
Sec. 12. Conduct prohibited to city officers and employees with reference to contracts; connivance with contractors.
No officer or employee of the city shall aid or assist a bidder in securing a contract to furnish labor, or material or supplies at a higher price or rate than that proposed by any other responsible bidder, or shall favor one (1) bidder over another, giving or withholding information, or shall willfully mislead any bidder in regard to the character of the material or supplies called for, or shall knowingly accept materials or supplies of a quality inferior to those called for by the contract, or shall knowingly certify to a greater amount of labor performed than has actually been performed, or to the receipt of a greater amount of material or supplies than has actually been received.
Sec. 13. Approval, etc., by officer of unauthorized demand on treasury.
Every officer who shall wilfully approve, allow or pay any demand on the treasury not authorized by law, shall be liable to the city individually and on his official bond for the amount of the demand so approved, allowed or paid, and shall forfeit such office and be forever disbarred and disqualified from holding any position in the service of the city.
Sec. 14. Payment into city treasury of moneys received from taxes, licenses, fees, etc.*
All moneys received from taxes, licenses, fees, fines, penalties and forfeitures, and all moneys which may be collected or received by any officer of the city in his official capacity, or by any department of the city, for the performance of any official duty, and all moneys accruing to the city from any source, and all moneys directed by law, or by this Charter, to be paid or deposited in the treasury, shall be paid into the treasury daily.
The treasurer shall receipt for each such deposit in triplicate, giving the original and duplicate to the depositor, who must file the duplicate with the director of administrative services.
* In connection with this section, see Charter, Art. XXIII, § 22.
Sec. 15. Inspection of books and records.
All books and records of every office and department shall be open to the inspection of any citizens during business hours, subject to the proper rules and regulations for the efficient conduct of the business of such department or office; but the records of the police department shall not be subject to such inspection except by permission of the proper police authorities. The council may, by ordinance, prohibit the inspection of tax returns and tax investigation records which disclose the amount or source of income, profits, losses or expenditures of any taxpayer or person required to file a return. (1953.)
Sec. 16. Copies or extracts from books and records.
Copies or extracts from said books and records open for inspection shall be given by the officer having the same in custody to any person demanding the same and paying such fees for the copies or extracts and for certifying, if certification is also required, as the council may from time to time establish by ordinance. (1967.)
Sec. 17. Office hours for city officers.
Unless otherwise provided for by law, all city officers shall keep such office hours as may be established by ordinance.
Sec. 18. Continuation of ordinances and resolutions in force at effective date of Charter.*
All ordinances and resolutions in force at the time this Charter takes effect, and not inconsistent therewith, shall continue in full force until amended or repealed.
* As to when Charter takes effect, see Charter, Art. XXIII, § 28.
Sec. 19. Officers, etc., in office at effective date of Charter.*
All officers, assistants, and employees in office, when this Charter takes effect, shall continue to hold and exercise their respective offices or employment, under the terms of this Charter, until the election or appointment and qualification of their successors.
* As to when Charter takes effect, see Charter, Art. XXIII, § 28.
Sec. 20. First election under Charter.
The present board of trustees shall provide for the holding of the first election of officers under this Charter and shall canvass the votes and declare the result thereof.
Sec. 21. Effect of adoption of Charter on vested rights, etc., of city.
All vested rights of the city shall continue and shall not in any manner be affected by its adoption of this Charter, nor shall any right, liability, pending suit or prosecution, either in behalf of or against the city, be affected by the adoption of this Charter, unless otherwise herein expressly provided. All contracts entered into by the city or for its benefit prior to the taking effect of this Charter shall continue in full force and effect. All public work begun prior to the taking effect of this Charter shall be continued and perfected hereunder. Public improvements for which legislative steps shall have been taken under laws in force at the time this Charter takes effect, may be carried to completion in accordance with the provisions of such laws.
Sec. 22. Officers to report fees, etc., monthly.*
On the first day of each month every officer authorized by law to charge any fee, commission, percentage, allowance or compensation, must make a written report to the director of administrative services of all moneys received by him during the preceding month.
* In connection with this section, see Charter, Art. XXIII, § 14.
Sec. 23. Severability clause applicable to Charter.
If any section or part of a section of this Charter proves to be invalid, it shall not be held to invalidate or impair the validity of any other section or part of a section, unless it clearly appears that such other section, or part of a section, is dependent for its operation upon the section or part of a section so held invalid.
Sec. 24. Purchases from local merchants.
When making purchases for all departments of the city, local merchants shall be given the preference, quality and prices being equal.
Sec. 25. Political activity or contributions on part of city manager, etc.
Neither the city manager, nor any person in the employ of the city shall take any active part in securing, or shall contribute money toward the nomination or election of any candidate for a municipal office.
Sec. 26. Vesting of city's powers generally.
All the powers of the city except as otherwise provided by this Charter, are hereby vested in the council.
Sec. 27. Penalties, violation of ordinances.
The violation of the Charter or ordinance of the city shall be a misdemeanor except that notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or by ordinance, any such violation constituting a misdemeanor may, in the discretion of the city attorney, be charged and prosecuted as an infraction. Fines and penalties shall be set by the council, but the maximum fine or penalty for any such violation shall be the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or a term of imprisonment for a period not exceeding six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment, or such greater fine or imprisonment as established by state law for general law cities. The council by ordinance may provide that a violation of an ordinance shall be classified as an infraction and set the fine for a violation thereof. (1982.)
Editor's Note: The catchline of this section originally read as follows: "Penalty for violation of Charter or ordinances; working prisoners."
Sec. 28. When Charter to take effect.
For the purpose of electing all elective officers, and all purposes connected therewith, this Charter shall take effect from the time of its approval by the Legislature. For all other purposes, it shall take effect on July 5th, 1921.
Sec. 29. Authority of city to establish a municipal court.
The City of Glendale may establish a municipal court when, and in such manner as may be authorized by the Constitution or laws of the State of California. (1931.)
Sec. 30. Administering oaths.
The head of each department and such deputies or assistants as such department head may designate shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations in connection with any official business of the city. (1982.)
Article XXIV. Civil Service.
Sec. 1. Creation and composition of civil service commission; appointment, term and compensation of members; vacancies; chairman, chief examiner, etc.
A civil service commission is hereby created, consisting of five (5) qualified electors of the City of Glendale, who shall be appointed by the council and who shall serve without compensation. They shall hold office for a period of four (4) years and until their successors are appointed and qualified; provided that of those first appointed, two (2) shall be appointed to serve until the 1st day of May, 1939, three (3) shall be appointed to serve until the 1st day of May, 1941; and provided further, that any person appointed to fill a vacancy on the commission shall be appointed to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The commission shall organize by electing one (1) of its members chairman. It shall appoint, subject to the approval of the council, a chief examiner, who shall not be a member of the commission and who shall also act as secretary of the commission. The commission may appoint such other subordinates as the council may authorize. The chief examiner and such other subordinates shall receive such compensation as the council shall from time to time determine by ordinance. (1933, 1937.)
Editor's Note: The catchline of this section originally read as follows: "Commission creation and organization."
Sec. 2. Duties of civil service commission generally; rules.
The commission shall prescribe, amend and enforce rules for the classified service, subject to the approval of the council, which shall have the force and effect of law; shall keep minutes of its proceedings and records of its examinations; and shall, as a board or through a single commissioner, make investigations concerning the enforcement and effect of this article and of the rules and efficiency of the service. It shall make an annual report to the council.
The rules shall provide:
(1) Classification of Positions. For the classification of all positions in the classified service.
(2) Competitive Examinations--Generally. For open, competitive examinations to test the relative fitness of applicants for all such positions, except positions for which competition has been suspended, as provided in this article.
(3) Same--Public Advertisement. For public advertisement of all competitive examinations.
(4) Eligible Lists. For the creation of eligible lists upon which shall be entered the names of successful candidates in the order of their standing in examination. Such lists shall remain in force not longer than two (2) years nor less than one (1) year provided that the commission may cancel any list established from an open examination which contains the names of not more than three (3) persons whose names have been submitted for appointment and the persons not appointed.
(5) Grounds for Rejection of Candidates or Eligibles. For the rejection of candidates or eligibles who fail to comply with the requirements of the commission in regard to age, residence, sex, physical condition, or who have been guilty of crimes or infamous or disgraceful conduct, or who have attempted any deception or fraud.
(6) Procedure as to Appointments. For the appointment of one (1) of the three (3) persons standing highest on the appropriate eligible list, except when competition has been suspended as provided in this article; provided that the appointing agency may appoint a person from an eligible list containing less than three (3) names; and provided further that any person whose name has been certified three (3) times without appointment shall have his name dropped to the end of said list.
(7) Probation Period. For a period of probation not exceeding twelve (12) months before appointments or promotions are made complete.
(8) Temporary or Seasonal Appointments. For temporary appointments to permanent positions and appointments to temporary or seasonal positions, when there is no appropriate eligible list; provided, that no permanent position shall be filled by temporary appointees for a period longer than six (6) months except when due to a leave of absence or in cases of emergency. Appointments to temporary or seasonal positions and temporary appointments due to a leave of absence may be for such period of time as may be fixed by the commission. The commission shall determine whether any position is in character temporary, seasonal or permanent. The acceptance or refusal to accept temporary or seasonal employment on the part of a person on an eligible list shall not be a bar to appointment to a permanent position from said eligible list.
(9) Transfer; Demotion; Reinstatement. For transfer from one (1) position to a similar position, or to a lower position upon request of the employee affected, and for reinstatement within one (1) year of persons who, without fault or delinquency on their part, are separated from the service or reduced.
(10) Promotion. For promotion based upon competitive examination and records of efficiency, character, conduct and seniority; provided, that promotional examination shall be open only to those persons who are employed in positions designated by the commission as appropriate for promotional purposes, who have served in any such position or positions for an aggregate of at least six (6) months, and who satisfy the preliminary requirements of the commission for the position to be filled. Examinations may be exclusively promotional or may be combined with original examinations. Unless the commission finds that it would not be consistent with the best interests of the city, a vacancy, except one (1) for which competition has been suspended, as provided in this article, shall be filled by promotion.
(11) Suspension Without Pay. For suspension without pay for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days.
(12) Adoption and Amendment of Rules Generally. For the adoption and amendment of rules only after public notice and hearing.
(13) Appointment of Unskilled Laborers. For the appointment of unskilled laborers after such tests as to fitness as the commission may prescribe.
(14) Further Provisions as to Adoption of Rules. For the adoption of such rules not inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter as may be necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this article. (1933; 1937; 1943; 1949; 1957; 1982.)
Editor's Note: The catchline of this section originally read as follows: "Duties of the commission."
Sec. 3. Power of civil service commission to subpoena witnesses, etc.
In any investigation conducted by the commission, it shall have the power to subpoena and require the attendance of witnesses and the production thereby of books and papers pertinent to the investigation, and each commissioner shall have the power to administer oaths to such witnesses. (1933; 1937.)
Editor's Note: The catchline of this section originally read as follows: "Power to subpoena witnesses."
Sec. 4. Examinations generally.
All applicants for positions in the classified service, except applicants for positions for which competition has been suspended as provided in this article, shall be subject to examination controlled by the commission. Such examinations shall be public, competitive and free, except as is otherwise provided in this article. Such examinations shall be practical in their character and shall relate to those matters which will fairly test the relative capacity of the persons examined to discharge the duties of the position to which they seek to be appointed, and when appropriate, shall include or exclusively consist of tests of physical qualifications, health, and manual skill. No question in any examination shall relate to political or religious opinions or affiliations. A stenographic report or sound recording of all oral examinations shall be made. The commission shall provide by rule when such report or recording may be destroyed, but such rule shall not permit destruction until at least thirty (30) days after approval of the eligible list resulting from the examination. (1933; 1937; 1957.)
Editor's Note: The catchline of this section originally read as follows: "Examinations."
Sec. 5. Suspension of competition.
(1) In case of a vacancy in a position requiring peculiar and exceptional qualifications of a scientific, professional, or expert character, and upon satisfactory evidence that competition is impracticable and that the position can best be filled by the selection of some designated person of recognized attainments, the commission may, after public hearing and by the affirmative vote of all its members, suspend competition, but no such suspension shall be general in its application to such position, and all such cases of suspension shall be reported, together with the reasons therefor, in the annual report of the commission.
(2) In case of a vacan