[Amended 9-20-2022 by L.L. No. 9-2022]
A. 
Pursuant to §§ C2-1 and C2-4B(2), the Mayor shall, during the term of the Mayor's office, have the authority to appoint a Legal Advisor as that term is defined by the Columbia County Civil Service Commission.
B. 
The Mayor may also retain such other legal counsel on a contract basis as the Mayor may deem necessary or expedient for the preservation of the rights or the protection of the interests of the City, subject to the approval of such contract by the Common Council.
In addition to the duties set forth in the Hudson City Code, including those set forth in § 275-11 and § 176-21, the Legal Advisor shall act as the legal adviser to the Mayor's Office, and may serve as legal counsel to the Common Council and the several officers, boards and departments of the City, and may appear for and protect the rights and interests of the City in all actions, suits and proceedings brought by and against it or any City officer, board or department, and such Council, officers, boards or departments shall not employ other counsel except as otherwise authorized by the Mayor.
The Mayor may employ counsel to assist the Legal Advisor in cases or proceedings in which the City is interested or a party, or to perform other such legal duties as the Mayor shall deem necessary to protect the rights and interests of the City, except that such retained counsel may not prosecute or otherwise represent or appear on behalf of the City in City Court, as such retained counsel are not public officers pursuant to § C2-1.
The Legal Advisor shall be entitled to receive hospitalization insurance equivalent to that provided in the Public Employment Code in effect at the time the Legal Advisor is hired, provided that the Legal Advisor contributes to the cost of such insurance in the proportion required of employees hired after the effective date of that Public Employment Code.