Article 8. Other Officers of California Public Utilities Code >> Division 10. >> Part 13. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 8.

Prior to the time the district has operated, controlled, or used transit facilities, or any part thereof, for the transportation of passengers under the provisions of this part for a period of six months, the board may, but is not required to, appoint a general manager. A general manager appointed during such time shall hold office at the pleasure of the majority of the board.

After the district has operated, controlled, or used transit facilities, or any part thereof, for the transportation of passengers under the provisions of this part for a period of six months, the board shall forthwith appoint a general manager.

All other things being equal, the board shall appoint as general manager a person who has had experience in the acquisition, construction, or management of transit facilities.

Except as otherwise provided in this part, and subject to the policies established by the board, the general manager shall have the responsibility and the authority for the proper administration of the affairs of the district and the maintenance and operation of the transit facilities of the district.

The general manager may be removed from office by resolution. Before the general manager may be removed, he shall, if he so demands, be given a written statement of the grounds for his removal, and he shall have the right to be publicly heard thereon at a meeting of the board prior to the final vote on the resolution providing for his removal. Pending and during such hearing, the board may suspend him from office, and without payment of salary, for a period of not to exceed 30 days. The board may not reduce the salary of the general manager below the amount currently being received by him, except upon the adoption of a resolution after a like opportunity to be publicly heard. The action of the board in suspending or removing the general manager, or reducing his salary, is final.

The board shall appoint a secretary and an attorney to serve as legal counsel to the district. These officers shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

If the moneys of the district, or any part thereof, are deposited in a depositary other than the county treasury, the board shall appoint a treasurer who shall be responsible for the safekeeping and disbursing of all district moneys and funds held by him. The treasurer shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

No member of the board of directors, and no county or city officer or employee of the county or a city located within the county, shall be eligible for appointment to any of the offices provided for in this article.

Within 10 days after his appointment and before entering upon the discharge of his official duties, each of the officers appointed under the provisions of this article shall take and file his oath of office pursuant to Sections 1360 and 1363 of the Government Code.

The board may consolidate any of the district offices provided for by this article.

The treasurer of the district, if one is appointed by the board, shall give bond for the faithful performance of his or her duties. The board may require any other officer to give a similar bond. The amount of each bond shall be fixed by the board. All bonds shall be approved by the board and shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder and filed in the office of the clerk of the district.

The secretary shall maintain and preserve a permanent written record of all of the official acts of the board as evidenced by minute order, resolution, or ordinance.

The board shall fix the compensation of the officers provided for in this article.

The premium upon any bond required under this article is a charge against the district.