City of San Mateo Law Library
San Mateo City Charter.

3.02 Removal.

The council may remove the city manager from office in accordance with the following procedures:

(a) The council shall adopt by affirmative vote of a majority of the council plus one a preliminary resolution which must state the reasons for removal and may suspend the city manager from duty for a period not to exceed forty-five days. A copy of the resolution shall be delivered promptly to the city manager.

(b) Within five days after a copy of the resolution is delivered to the manager, he may file with the council a written request for a public hearing. This hearing shall be held at a council meeting not earlier than fifteen days nor later than thirty days after the request is filed. The city manager may file with the council a written reply not later than five days before the hearing.

(c) The council may adopt a final resolution of removal, which may be made effective immediately, by affirmative vote of a majority of the council plus one at any time after five days from the date when a copy of the preliminary resolution was delivered to the city manager, if he has not requested a public hearing, or at any time after the public hearing if he has requested one.

(d) The city manager shall continue to receive his salary until the effective date of a final resolution of removal. The action of the council in suspending or removing the manager shall be final.

(e) During the period of suspension and after the effective date of a final resolution of removal the powers of the city manager shall be exercised by an acting city manager until a new city manager is appointed and qualifies.