The city is closer to having a new bylaw that will govern the incoming city manager when she begins her new job next month.

On Monday night, council passed the first two readings of a new city manager bylaw which specifically names Christine Smith as manager.

Smith is set to take on the position in mid-April.

She will succeed interim manager Brian Crist, who's been filling in since April 2013, when previous city manager Stan Westby was suspended, then put on a lengthy medical leave before being fired last September. The reason wasn't publicly disclosed.

Crist's usual duties as the director of operations have been covered by outgoing fire chief Clive Sparks through much of that period, with deputy fire chief Kevin Lyslo overseeing the fire department. He will soon become chief as Sparks retires.

The city manager bylaw is drawn up prior to any new city manager taking on the job. It includes the provisions of the roles, responsibilities, compensation and other details of the job

Earlier this month, it was announced that Smith, currently the territory's director of community services, had been hired as the new city manager.

Third reading of the bylaw will come forward in April.