The Corporation Counsel shall, whenever they consider that the best interests of the City will be served thereby, enter into an agreement in writing subject to the approval of the Common Council to compromise and settle any claim against the City, which agreement shall be reported to the Common Council at its next meeting and, if so approved, shall constitute a valid obligation against the City; provided, however, that this inhibition shall not operate to limit or abridge the discretion of the Corporation Counsel in regard to the proper conduct of the trial of any action or proceeding or to deprive such Corporation Counsel of the powers and privileges ordinarily exercised in the courts of litigation by attorneys at law when acting for private clients.
No action or special procedure to cover or enforce any claim, debt or demand against the City shall be brought until the expiration of 30 days after the claim, debt or demand shall have been presented to the Common Council for audit. All actions brought against the City upon any contract liability, expressed or implied, or upon or on account of any other liability whatever, or for either legal or equitable relief, must be commenced within one year from the time that the cause of action accrued.
Whenever the interests of the Common Council or the City are inconsistent with the interests of any officer or employee paid their compensation from City funds, the Corporation Counsel shall represent the interests of the Common Council and the City. In such case, the officer or employee may at their own expense employ an attorney at law.