The Mayor shall appoint a City Solicitor, subject
to the approval of the Council, who shall serve at the pleasure of
the Council.
The Solicitor shall be a member of the Bar and
shall be admitted to practice in all courts of the commonwealth and
such federal courts as necessary to perform the duties of the office.
The compensation of the City Solicitor shall
be fixed by the Council by ordinance.
All of the legal affairs of the city shall be
under the general supervision of the City Solicitor. No official or
official body or agency may employ additional legal counsel without
express authorization to do so from the Council. The City Solicitor
shall:
A.
Serve as the chief legal adviser to the Council, the
Mayor and to such other officials, departments, commissions and agencies
of the city as the Council may designate.
B.
Either directly or through subordinates, collect,
by suit or otherwise, all debts, taxes and accounts due the city which
shall be presented for collection by any officer, department, board
or commission.
C.
Either directly or through subordinates, prepare or
approve all contracts, bonds and other instruments, in writing, in
which the city is concerned.
D.
Approve all surety bonds required to be given for
the protection of the city.
E.
At the request of any member of the Council, prepare
or assist in preparing any ordinance or resolution for presentation
before the Council.
The City Solicitor shall have the right of access
at all times to the official records of any official, department,
board or commission of the city.
