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See Chapter z—iv—F. In statutory cities and most charter cities, mayors have no authority to directly supervise city staff or provide direction to city staff. Likewise, there is no authority for the mayor, acting as an individual, to appoint or terminate staff, to investigate or discipline employees, or to access employee data. The authority to supervise staff is delegated to the council as a group, not to any one individual on council. Charter cities may provide some authority for direct supervision. In Plan B statutory cities and most council-manager charter cities, the city manager has all administrative authority over city employees. City councils as a whole may indirectly supervise staff through their ability to hire and fire the city manager and to set city policy. In statutory, non -Plan B cities, the city council as a whole supervises employees by: • Providing direct instruction to staff at a city council meeting. For example, making and approving a motion to "direct the city clerk to research grant opportunities for equipment in the city parks" or "direct the city clerk to work with the mayor to develop a job description for a utility billing secretary." • Adopting policies that govern staff behavior. For example, the city's employee handbook may instruct staff to wear uniforms, punch in on a time clock, or follow explicit purchasing procedures. The city council may also establish policies on promotions, wage increases, benefits, etc. • Establishing job descriptions listing staff duties. For example, the city clerk's job description may require the clerk to supervise a deputy clerk, or a police sergeant's job description may require the sergeant to act at a school liaison officer. • Entering into employment contracts with specific conditions for employment. For example, a city administrator's contract may set provisions for severance or performance goals, or a union contract may set criteria for benefit increases. • Conducting employment reviews. In some cities, the city council directly conducts employment reviews for all staff, or merely for high level staff such as the city administrator. In the alternative, council may delegate this function to city staff such as the city administrator, or to an employee review committee. • Conducting or authorizing investigations into employee conduct. For example, the city council may hold a closed meeting to discuss alleged conduct with a city employee. In the alternative, the city council may authorize the city administer, attorney, or an outside investigator to investigate a specific issue and report back to council at a later date. Minnesota Mayors Chapter 1-41 Association