A city attorney shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the city manager with the consent of the board of aldermen. He shall be a licensed member of the bar of this state and shall have been in active practice for at least five years. He shall receive compensation as determined by ordinance.
The city attorney shall represent the city in all legal matters in which it is a party, or is interested. He shall advise the board of aldermen, any committee or member thereof, the mayor, the city manager, department heads, and the boards and commissions concerning any legal questions affecting the city's interests, and shall perform such other legal services as may be requested by the board of aldermen.
The board of aldermen shall provide by ordinance for such assistant city attorneys as it may deem necessary, who shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the city attorney with the approval of the board of aldermen. The board of aldermen shall further have the power to employ special legal counsel as it deems necessary. The compensation of such assistants and special counsel shall be determined by the board of aldermen.