(a) Generally. The career service commission shall possess and exercise those powers conferred by the Charter and ordinances of the City. The city manager shall possess and exercise all powers conferred upon him or her, directly or through his or her authorized representatives.

(b) Formulation of rules and regulations. Rules and regulations may be suggested by employees. Rules and regulations may also be recommended to the city manager by the career service commission or by council members.

(c) Hearings, final findings. The career service commission shall have the power to hear appeals by aggrieved members of the career service system who have been disciplined by suspension, demotion, fine or dismissal only. Such power shall be limited to review of the disciplinary action. The commission may affirm, reverse, or modify the original discipline order, provided that the commission may not increase the level of discipline imposed by the order. In these cases the commission shall make a finding and furnish a copy of such finding to the appellant, the city manager, the department head initiating the disciplinary action, the director of human resources and the city attorney within 30 days after the date of the hearing. The appellant's copy of the findings shall be mailed to the appellant at his or her last known address, certified mail, return receipt requested. The determination of the career service commission shall be final in such cases, except for an appeal to the courts.

(d) Hearings, advisory findings. The career service commission may render advisory opinions when requested by the city manager or the city council. In these cases, the career service commission may review any and all matters it considers to be related thereto. The city manager shall not be bound to accept these opinions as final, and the city manager may follow the recommendations or not, as in his or her judgment seems best. A copy of his or her final action shall be furnished to the city council and career service commission. In these cases, if the career service commission does not wish to render an advisory opinion, it will not be bound to do so. (Code 1979, § 8-71; Ord. No. 2009-54, § 3, 12-7-2009; Ord. No. 2005-04, § 5, 2-28-2005; Ord. No. 97-64, § 1, 11-10-1997; Ord. No. 96-18, § 1, 6-10-1996; Ord. No. 95-53, exhibit A (§ 8-71), 9-11-1995)