Union City has a Council-Manager form of government, with the council voting on policy and the City Manager enacting it. (Think of the Council as a board of trustees, and the City Manager as the CEO who runs the operations.)
The City Manager serves as the chief executive officer of the City and is responsible for managing and coordinating all day-to-day operations and administration. Duties include personnel and labor relations, the preparation and administration of the city budget, intergovernmental relations and organizing and implementing the City Council's policies. The City Manager is hired by the City Council and serves as the council's chief advisor.