Section 812. Personnel management, declaration of intent

a. The personnel
  policies and practices of the city government, in  furtherance  of  this
  charter,  the  civil  service  law  and  rules and other applicable law,
  shall: (1) preserve and promote merit and fitness  in  city  employment,
  (2)  ensure  that  appointments and promotions in city service are made,
  and that wages are set, without regard  to  political  affiliation,  and
  without  unlawful  discrimination  based  on sex, race, color, religion,
  religious observance, national origin, disability, age, marital  status,
  citizenship  status  or  sexual orientation; and promote and support the
  efficient and effective delivery of services to the public.
    b. Consistent with subdivision a of this section, the  heads  of  city
  agencies  shall  have  such  powers,  duties  and  responsibilities  for
  personnel management as they shall require to administer their  agencies
  effectively  and  to  supervise, evaluate, motivate, discipline, provide
  incentives for and improve the skills of employees of the city.