(a) In the exercise by the board of directors of its authority in respect to the filling of vacancies on municipal boards, authorities, and commissions, only those qualified electors of the city found by the board to possess the necessary qualifications shall be appointed or confirmed.
(b)
(1) In filling vacancies on any municipal board, authority, or commission, unless the statute applicable to the position forbids the appointment thereto of a city employee, the city administrator, if otherwise qualified, shall be an eligible appointee.
(2) The city administrator, however, shall not be, ex officio, a member of any municipal board, authority, or commission.