TCA § 6-35-203 — Council-manager relationships

The manager shall be responsible to the council for the administration of all units of the city government under the manager's jurisdiction and for carrying out policies adopted by the council. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the council and its members shall deal with the administrative officers and employees solely through the manager. Neither the council nor any member thereof shall give orders to the manager's subordinates or otherwise interfere with managerial functions through such means as directing or requesting the appointment or removal of any of the manager's subordinates, or the making of particular purchases from, or contracts with, any specific organization. The office of any council member violating any provision of this section shall immediately become vacant upon such person's conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction.