<P> Indeed, much has been written over the last decade regarding the variety of hybrid forms of local governments that have evolved from the two pure forms (council--manager and mayor--council). The cities that have modified their organizational structure from one of the pure forms now commonly are termed "adaptive" community organizations . </P> <P> These variations necessitate a delineation of the distinguishing features of the council--manager form of government . ICMA has listed at least three defining characteristics that distinguish a truly council--manager government: </P> <Ul> <Li> All governmental authority rests with the council, or other sovereign elected body, except for certain duties that are assigned by charter or other law to the manager, however, the manager always is employed at the pleasure of the elected body . </Li> <Li> The appointed executive, a manager, officially is allocated the executive or administrative functions in codified form, minimum functions not being at the whim of a mayor, for example . </Li> <Li> The manager must be responsible to, hired by, and can be dismissed only by the entire council, not one individual, such as a mayor or chairperson . </Li> </Ul> <Li> All governmental authority rests with the council, or other sovereign elected body, except for certain duties that are assigned by charter or other law to the manager, however, the manager always is employed at the pleasure of the elected body . </Li>

In what way do the city council city manager and commission forms of city government differ