The city manager shall be appointed by majority vote of the city council and shall serve at the pleasure of the city council. He or she shall be chosen by the council solely on the basis of his or her executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to actual experience in or knowledge of accepted practice in respect to the duties of the office hereinafter set forth. Upon approval by the city council, on behalf of the city, the mayor shall sign the contract entered into with the city manager. No mayor or council person shall receive such appointment during the term for which he or she shall have been elected nor within one year after the expiration of his or her term. [Code 2000 § 2-4-2].