Editor's Note: Former Art. XIII, Department of Public Safety,
was repealed 11-27-1973 by L.L. No. 7-1973. Said local law also provided,
in Section 2 thereof, as follows: "Article 9, Department of Public
Safety, of the Second Class Cities Law of the State of New York, is
hereby superseded and shall have no force and effect in the City of
Yonkers."
There shall be a Department of Law. The head of the department shall
be the corporation counsel, a position in the unclassified service,
vested with authority, direction and control over said department,
with power and authority to appoint and remove officers and employees
therein.
The corporation counsel may appoint, to hold office at the pleasure
of the Corporation Counsel, a first deputy, a second deputy, and other
subordinates.
The corporation counsel shall be and act as the legal adviser of
the City of Yonkers and all of its elected and appointed officers,
boards, agencies and departments.
The corporation counsel shall appear for and protect the rights and
interests of the city in all actions, suits and proceedings brought
by or against it or any city officer, board or department, and such
officer, board or department shall not employ other counsel.
Except for contracts entered into pursuant to the provisions of the
New York State Public Officers Law, the corporation counsel may employ
counsel, pursuant to a contract approved by the Board of Contract
and Supply, to assist in the argument and conduct of important cases
or proceedings in which the city or any officer, board or department
thereof is interested or a party, or to assist in matters requiring
specialized legal skills or experience.
Any city officer or employee entitled to counsel pursuant to Public
Officers Law § 18, shall inform the corporation counsel
of the counsel who will represent the officer or employee. The corporation
counsel shall forward to the City Council a proposed contract for
such counsel and the Mayor shall submit a budget transfer to fund
the proposed contract. If approved by the City Council, the corporation
counsel shall enter into the contract with the officer's or employee's
counsel.
This article shall supersede Section 201 of the Second Class
Cities Law and any other provisions of the Second Class Cities Law,
or any special law, local law or ordinance which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this article.