GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1993 SESSION

CHAPTER 136
HOUSE BILL 553

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF GASTONIA TO PROVIDE FOR TWO-YEAR TERMS FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS MAY ONLY DIRECT THE ACTIVITIES OF CITY EMPLOYEES THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  Section 2.2 of the Charter of the City of Gastonia, being Chapter 557, Session Laws of 1991, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 2.2.  City Council Composition; Terms of Office.  The Council is composed of six members who reside in the respective wards as provided in Article III of this Charter, but who are elected by all the qualified voters of the City for terms of two years or until their successors are elected and qualified."
Sec. 2.  Section 3.2 of the Charter of the City of Gastonia, being Chapter 557, Session Laws of 1991, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3.2.  Election of Council.  All Council members elected shall serve for terms of two years.  Each Council member shall be a resident of the ward he or she represents."
Sec. 3.  Section 4.2 of the Charter of the City of Gastonia, being Chapter 557, Session Laws of 1991, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 4.2.  City Manager.  The Council appoints a City Manager who is responsible for the administration of all departments of the City government.  The City Manager has all the powers and duties conferred by general law, except as expressly limited by the provisions of this Charter, and the additional powers and duties conferred by the Council, so far as authorized by general law.
The Council shall hold the City Manager responsible for the proper management of the affairs of the City and the City Manager shall keep the Council informed of the needs and conditions of the City and shall make such reports and recommendations as may be requested by the Council or as the City Manager deems necessary.  Neither the Mayor, the City Council, or any member of the City Council shall publicly or privately direct the conduct or activities of any city employee, either directly or indirectly, except through the City Manager."
Sec. 4.  This act does not affect the terms of office or the manner of filling vacancies of any person elected to the City Council in 1992.
Sec. 5.  This act is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 8th day of June, 1993.

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Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate

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Daniel Blue, Jr.
Speaker of the House of Representatives