Article IV. Administration

Section 4-01. General Provisions.

Except as otherwise provided by this charter all departments, offices and agencies shall be under the direction and supervision of the mayor, and the heads of all departments created by or under this charter shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the council, and shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor.

Section 4-02. Legal Department.

A. The head of the Legal Department shall be the city attorney. The city attorney, at the time of appointment, shall have been admitted to the practice of law in Louisiana for at least five (5) years.

B. The city attorney shall serve as chief legal adviser to the mayor, council and all departments, offices and agencies, shall represent the City in all legal proceedings and shall perform other duties prescribed by this charter or by ordinance.

C. Any assistant city attorneys shall be appointed by the city attorney and serve at the pleasure of the city attorney.

D. No special legal counsel shall be employed by the City except by written contract and approval of the council.

Section 4-03. Department of Administration.

A. The head of the Department of Administration shall be the director of administration. The director of administration, at the time of appointment, shall have at least a bachelor's degree in business or public administration or a related field from an accredited college or university and at least three (3) years' experience in a responsible managerial or administrative fiscal position OR at least five (5) years' experience in a responsible managerial or administrative fiscal position.

B. The director of administration shall direct and be responsible for the following activities:

(1) Collection (except where specifically otherwise provided for by law) and custody of all monies of the City from whatever source.
(2) Assistance to the mayor in the preparation of the operating budget and capital improvement program.
(3) Maintenance of a record of indebtedness and the payment of the principal and interest on such indebtedness.
(4) Ascertaining that funds are available for payment of all contracts, purchase orders and any other documents which incur financial obligation for the City, and that such documents are in accordance with established procedures.
(5) Disbursement of all funds from the City treasury.
(6) Administration of a uniform central accounting system for all City departments, offices and agencies using nationally accepted standards where applicable.
(7) Preparation of a monthly statement of revenues and expenditures which shall be completed and made available for public inspection not later than ten (10) days after the end of each month.
(8) Procurement of all personal property, materials, supplies and services required by the City under a central purchasing system for all departments, offices and agencies in accordance with applicable state law, council policy and administrative requirements.
(9) Maintenance of an inventory of all City property, real and personal.
(10) Investment of all idle City funds, as permitted by law, so as to receive the maximum rate of return.
(11) Storage, care and maintenance of all official records and documents of the City.
(12) Development and administration of a system of personnel administration that shall provide the means to recruit, select, develop and maintain an effective and responsive work force and shall include policies and procedures for employee hiring and advancement, training and career development, job classification, salary administration, retirement, fringe benefits, discipline, discharge and other related activities.
(13) Providing general administrative services.
(14) Other actions as may be directed by the mayor.

Section 4-04. Police Department.

A. The head of the Police Department shall be the police chief who shall be appointed in accordance with applicable state law.

B. The police chief shall direct and be responsible for the preservation of public peace and order; prevention of crime; apprehension of criminals; assistance to the courts and other law enforcement officials; and the enforcement of laws of the state and ordinances of the council.

Section 4-05. Fire Department.

A. The head of the Fire Department shall be the fire chief who shall be appointed in accordance with applicable state law.

B. The fire chief shall direct and be responsible for fire prevention; fire extinguishment and salvage operations; inspection and recommendations concerning the fire code of the City; investigations of fires and their causes; and the conduct of the fire safety and prevention program.

Section 4-06. Public Works Department.

A. The head of the Public Works Department shall be the public works director. The public works director, at the time of appointment, shall be a graduate registered professional engineer with at least three (3) years' related experience in a responsible managerial or administrative position OR shall have at least five (5) years' related public works experience in a responsible managerial or administrative position.

B. The public works director shall direct and be responsible for the following activities:

(1) Supervision of all contract construction work except as may be related to federally funded urban renewal projects.
(2) Maintenance and beautification of City property.
(3) Construction and maintenance, performed by the City, of streets, sidewalks, bridges and drainage facilities.
(4) Street cleaning.
(5) Garbage and trash collection and disposal.
(6) Operation of a central facility for the repair and maintenance of all City vehicles and equipment.
(7) Water production, treatment and distribution.
(8) Sewage collection, treatment and disposal.
(9) Operation of the municipal transit system.
(10) Operation of the municipal airport.
(11) Other such activities as may be directed by the mayor.

Section 4-07. Engineering Services Department.

A. The head of the Engineering Services Department shall be the city engineer. The city engineer, at the time of appointment, shall be a graduate registered professional engineer with at least three (3) years' related experience in a responsible engineering position.

B. The city engineer shall direct and be responsible for the following activities:

(1) Engineering services, including traffic engineering, for all City departments, offices and agencies.
(2) Mapping and surveying.
(3) Custody and maintenance of all maps, plats, surveys and as built drawings of public facilities.
(4) Other such activities as may be directed by the mayor.

Section 4-08. Planning and Urban Development.

A. The head of the Planning and Urban Development Department shall be the planning and urban development director. The planning and urban development director, at the time of appointment, shall have at least a bachelor's degree in planning, architecture or public administration with a planning major and at least five (5) years' experience in a responsible planning position.

B. The planning and urban development director shall direct and be responsible for the following activities:

(1) Conduct of basic surveys and studies concerning the development of coordinated City resources and facilities plans.
(2) Preparation, updating and continuous revision of all community development plans and proposals.
(3) Planning, coordination and administration of all activities of the City related to the work of various public and private agencies concerned with housing programs.
(4) Preparation of all intergovernmental grant applications on behalf of the City and informing City departments, offices and agencies of all relevant local, state and federal assistance programs.
(5) Inspections, licensing and permit issuance in conjunction with the enforcement of zoning ordinances and building and other technical codes.
(6) Maintenance of the City map and zoning district map.
(7) Administration and operation of all urban renewal programs of the City including supervision of all contract construction work related to federally funded urban renewal projects.
(8) Other such activities as may be directed by the mayor.

Section 4-09. Community Affairs Department.

A. The head of the Community Affairs Department shall be the community affairs director. The community affairs director, at the time of appointment, shall have at least a bachelor's degree in business or public administration or related field from an accredited college or university, and at least (3) years' experience in a responsible managerial or administrative position OR at least five (5) years' experience in a responsible managerial or administrative position.

B. The community affairs director shall direct and be responsible for:

(1) Recreational and cultural activities such as concerts, art museums and exhibits.
(2) Parks and playgrounds.
(3) Athletic programs.
(4) Operation of the Civic Center, Twin City Queen, Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo and the Forsythe Boat Dock.
(5) Other recreational and cultural activities of the City.

Section 4-10. Other Departments.

Except as otherwise provided by this charter, all City departments, offices, agencies and functions in existence on the effective date of this charter shall continue in existence as organized on that date until reorganized in accordance with Section 4-11 (Administrative Reorganization).

Section 4-11. Administrative Reorganization.

A. The mayor shall have the right as chief executive officer to propose to the council the creation, change, alteration, combination or abolition of City departments, offices or agencies and/or the reallocation of the functions, powers, duties and responsibilities of such departments, offices or agencies, including those provided for in this charter.

B. The council, within sixty (60) days following its receipt of a reorganization proposal from the mayor, shall either approve by ordinance or disapprove, but not amend except with the written consent of the mayor, the proposed reorganization plan. Should the council fail to act within the prescribed time, the plan shall be deemed approved.