The city manager shall be chosen by the council solelyon the basis of his or her executive and administrative qualifications with special reference to his or her actual experience in, or knowledgeof, accepted practice in respect to the dutiesof the office as hereinafter set forth. At the time of appointment, he or she may, butneed not, be a resident of the city or state, but during his or her tenure ofoffice he or she shall reside within the city.
Alabama Legal Code