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.