[Added 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 11-2016]
There shall be a City Attorney and such deputies as authorized by the City Council who shall be appointed by the City Council at salaries to be fixed by the City Council. The City Attorney shall be and act as the attorney and counsel for the City Council, the Mayor, and all departments, officers, boards, commissions and agencies of the city. He or she shall upon request, furnish them with a written opinion on any question of law involving their respective powers and duties. He or she shall appear for and protect the rights of the city in all actions, suits or proceedings brought by or against it or any department, officer, board, commission or agency. He or she shall have power with the approval of the City Council, to appeal from orders, decisions or judgments in such cases, and to compromise and settle any claims by or against the city. The City Attorney shall prepare all local laws, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds and other instruments for the city except in such instances where special counsel has been retained to perform such duties and as otherwise provided by the
local finance law. Before the execution of any contract other than those prepared by special counsel, he or she shall endorse on each his or her approval of the form and correctness thereof. He or she shall, at the expiration of his or her term of office, deliver personally to his or her successor all records and files pertaining to the office, and the record or register of all suits or proceedings in which the city or any of its officers, departments, boards, commissions or agencies may be a party and all the papers pertaining to such suits or proceedings. The City Council may designate which of the above duties of the City Attorney are to be performed by the respective deputy city attorneys.