The text
Sec. 2-47. - Hiring preference to city residents.#
(a)
Legislative findings.
(1)
It is the policy of the city to provide high-quality city services to our community. Quality services are provided by professional, well-trained individuals working together. Selecting the best people to work in city government is essential to the make-up of city government and the fundamental aim of a recruiting program. A proactive, positive approach to recruiting is necessary to attract quality applicants representative of the demographics of the city.
(2)
It is the policy of the city to identify and employ the best-qualified individuals to perform the tasks and functions of city government without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status or mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability. The city prohibits discrimination against any person in recruitment, appointment, training, promotion, retention, discipline, or any other aspect of personnel administration for reasons of political or religious opinions, affiliations, or because of race, color, national origin, physical disability or age, except where specific age or physical requirements constitute a bonafide occupational qualification necessary to properly and efficiently perform the functions of the job.
(3)
It is the policy of the city to actively encourage women, traditionally under-represented populations and minorities to apply for employment in all positions within city government. All persons should have equal opportunities in recruitment, selection, appointment, promotion, training, discipline and related areas.
(b)
Legal and actual residents of the city, who have established documented legal residency in the city for at least one year prior to application, shall be given preference in hiring when they are equally qualified, unless otherwise prohibited by law; provided, that the vacant positions be advertised in the classified section of the local newspapers or on various city websites or social media portals and that applications be submitted to the personnel department during the application period. Secondary preference shall be given to any person fluent in any second language as spoken by at least ten percent of city residents as determined by the United States Census Bureau. Secondary preference shall also be given to minority candidates; minority as defined in G.L. 1956, § 37-14.1-3. At least one minority candidate shall be interviewed for each vacant position.
(c)
The director of human resources shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.
(d)
The hiring process for police and fire personnel, outlined in chapters 20 and 22 are specifically excluded from the provisions of this section.
(Code 1994, § 2-51; Ord. of 6-18-1985, § 1; Ord. of 3-13-2017(1), § 1; Ord. of 10-29-2020(1), § 1)
Sec. 2-48. - Appointment of department heads.#
(a)
In making appointments of the heads of departments, the mayor shall give preference to persons who are qualified electors of and residents of the city. Secondary preference shall be given to any person fluent in any second language as spoken by at least ten percent of city residents as determined by the United States Census Bureau and also to minority candidates; minority as defined in G.L. 1956, § 37-14.1-3. If the department involves a function requiring technical or professional expertise, the mayor, with the approval of the city council, shall appoint persons especially qualified on the basis of their educational background and professional experience.
(b)
The mayor may appoint an acting head of a department for a period of no longer than 90 days.
(c)
Exceptions.
(1)
Pursuant to section 3-201 of the Charter, this period may be extended if the approval of the appointment of the department head is pending before the city council.
(2)
The mayor may request an extension of the 90-day period with approval of the city council.
(Code 1994, § 2-52; Ord. of 2-12-1990(2), § I; Ord. of 6-11-2019(2), § 1; Ord. of 10-29-2020(1), § 1)
Sec. 2-49. - Availability of city officials; complaints.#
(a)
Availability. The department heads and heads of divisions of departments shall be available to the public in their respective offices during office hours of the business day. If in the event of necessary city business the department head or division head finds it necessary to leave his office during the business day, he will designate another to be in charge and will leave a written record of where he went and the time he left, and this record will be permanent and will be initialed each time the person leaves the city hall in the course of normal city hall hours.
(b)
Enforcement; complaints by citizens. Any person may file a sworn statement in the office of the city clerk charging that any department head or head of division of departments of the city has violated the provisions of this section, which statement shall set out the particulars as to the charges made. The city clerk shall present such charges to the council at its next regular meeting occurring not less than three days after the filing of such charges, and the council shall consider the charges. The council may hold public hearings on such charges, and the council shall hold a public hearing on such charges within 30 days after the presentation to it of the charges by the city clerk as aforesaid if requested so to do by the petition of not less than 50 qualified electors of the city or upon written request of the accused filed with the city clerk within 14 days after the presentation of such charges to the council. In every case where charges have been presented as aforesaid the council shall, by majority vote within 60 days after the presentation of such charges to the council, make a finding of the truth or falsity of such charges, which findings shall be entered into the records of the council.
(c)
Penalties. The city council will submit its findings under subsection (b) of this section to the mayor and the recommended punitive action.
(Code 1973, § 2-2; Code 1994, § 2-2)
Sec. 2-50. - Salaries considered full compensation.#
The salaries paid to all officers, boards and commissions of the city shall be considered full compensation for all services rendered to the city unless otherwise specially provided.
(Code 1973, § 2-8; Code 1994, § 2-3)
Sec. 2-51. - Expense accounts.#
(a)
The expense accounts of any officer, board or commission of the city, including the mayor and city council, are established solely and exclusively for the payment and reimbursement of expenses which are reasonably related to the functions and duties of said office, department, board or commission.
(b)
Any and all expenditures made from the expense accounts described in subsection (a) of this section shall be properly documented by a corresponding minimum, show the date of purchase, a description of the items or services procured and the consideration paid.
(Code 1994, § 2-3.1; Ord. No. 96-005-O, 5-13-1996)
Sec. 2-52. - Money received by officers, boards and commissions.#
All money received by any officer, board or commission of the city by virtue of his or its official position shall inure to the benefit and use of the city and shall be payable to the city treasury as provided by the Charter.
(Code 1973, § 2-9; Code 1994, § 2-4)