Chula Vista City Council
March 2, 2023

Council – Manager
Form of Government
2023 City Council Workshop Series
March 2, 2023
Relationship to the State
• General Law – derive powers from state laws
• Charter - derive powers from California
Constitution
City Classifications
2 Municipal Government Overview
• General Law – established by City Council
in accordance with state law provisions
• Charter City - established by Charter
Establishing a
Government
Form
• Mayor-Council
• Council-Manager
Two Major
Forms
3 Forms of City Government
Types of Cities that Use Council-Manager
Form
• Most common for medium to large cities
• Most common form in CA
• Most common form in US for cities of 2,500+
Benefits to Council-City Manager Form
• Professional management
• Removes politics from administration
4 Council-Manager Form of Government
Chula Vista’s
Form of Government
6 City of Chula Vista Charter Provisions-
City Council
Charter
Section
201
Establishes “Council-Manager” form of government
Specifies Council and City Manager roles
Identifies that all powers of the City, with exceptions, are vested in Council
Charter
Section
305
Limitations on Council authority
Prohibits specific Council conduct
Imposes penalties of censure or removal for violation
7 City of Chula Vista Charter Provisions –
City Manager
Charter
Section
400
Appointed and removed by action of Council
Chosen on basis of qualifications and experience
Salary fixed by Council
Charter
Section
401
Specifies role as administrative head of City
Identifies specific powers and duties of City Manager
8 City Attorney
City Council City Attorney
Relationship City Manager
Questions?