Columbia Council and commission member actions; permitted and prohibited ordinance (§ 19-40)

(a) Neither the council nor any of the members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or his removal from, office by the city manager or any subordinates, nor in any way interfere with the appointment or removal of officers and employees in the administrative service to the city.

(b) Except for the purpose of inquiry, or as otherwise provided for in the charter, the council, its members, and members of city boards and commissions shall expedite their responsibilities with the aid of appropriate administrative officers who shall be assigned such commission duties as deemed appropriate by the city manager. Neither the council nor any member thereof shall give orders to the subordinates of the city manager, either publicly or privately.