The Council shall appoint an officer known as the City Manager, who shall be the administrative head of the Municipal Government and who shall be responsible for the efficient administration of all departments. The City Manager shall receive such salary as may be fixed by the Council. The City Manager shall be chosen by the Council without regard to their political beliefs, and solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications.

Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the City Manager shall be appointed for an indefinite period, and cannot be removed from office except by a vote of five members of the Council. The City Manager shall serve at the will of the Council, and in case of removal may demand written charges and a public hearing thereon before the Council, prior to the date upon which this final removal is to take place; but the decision and action of the Council upon such hearing shall be final, and pending such hearing the Council may suspend the City Manager from duty.

During the absence or disability of the City Manager, the Council shall designate some properly qualified person to perform their duties. Whenever a vacancy occurs in this office, the Council shall immediately proceed to appoint a City Manager.