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Realistically, the policy- making process and the influence of the City Manager and the <br /> organization's staff in shaping policies - both as they are being developed and as they are <br /> implemented - do not constitute a fixed equation. As you look at various issues, you and <br /> your colleagues will find that at times the decision is based solely on your ideas, while at <br /> other times you accept staff recommendations with little discussion. But many decisions <br /> reflect a blending of Council and staff perspectives within parameters you set. <br /> Policy and administration are inextricably intertwined, and it is the responsibility of both <br /> the elected officials and the City Manager to work continually to clarify what they are <br /> looking at and to define their roles in discussions and actions. Often you must rely on <br /> your best judgment and common sense to determine what policy is. It is not the day -to- <br /> day operations of departments - that's administration. Yes, you are ultimately <br /> responsible for the way community services are provided and how things are run, but if <br /> you hire a City Manager, you will work through him or her to make sure things are taken <br /> I care of. (Chapter 1, Book 1, ICMA Elected Officials Handbook,) <br /> Administration and Management: <br /> Once you have established a policy, it is the job of your City Manager to administer or <br /> execute that policy. When a constituent complains of a missed garbage pick -up, <br /> potholes, or an overzealous police officer, working through your City Manager will help <br /> you serve that constituent most effectively. It is the City Manager's job to know the most <br /> effective way to get action. The City Manager should also give you the staff support you <br /> need so that citizens recognize you as concerned and responsive. Also, your City <br /> Manager can tell you if a policy decision is needed from Council to deal with the issue <br /> you have raised. <br /> Although it is up to the City Manager you have selected to deal with personnel and <br /> administration issues on a day -to -day basis, you have a role to play too. There may be <br /> times when you have reason to believe that Council policies are not being properly <br /> administered, and in such cases it is your responsibility to find out if your suspicions are <br /> valid. But do your checking through the normal chain of command. Sometimes, it might <br /> seem easier to check things out informally by contacting individual employees of the <br /> government whom you know socially. But that can undermine the authority you have <br /> delegated to the City Manager. Present the complaint to the City Manager and ask for a <br /> report. Then, if the situation is not remedied, the City Manager will have to answer to the <br /> Council for it. <br /> Internal management involves actions the City Manager takes to put the resources of the <br /> organization to effective use in getting things done. On a day -to -day basis, this is the <br /> Manager's job. In Council - Manager communities, the Council also should regularly <br /> evaluate the performance of the City Manager as part of its assessment of internal <br /> I management. (Chapter 1. Book 1. IC1119 Elected Officials Handbook, Book) <br /> • <br /> VII - 3 <br />