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.