[CC 1989 §2-91; Ord. No. 6774 §§1—2, 2-27-1995]
No person shall be eligible to the office of attorney for the
City who is not licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri
at the time of his/her appointment, and who continuously thereafter
while in office is licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri.
[CC 1989 §2-92; Ord. No. 6774 §§1—2, 2-27-1995]
A. In
addition to the duties imposed upon him/her by State law governing
Cities of the Third Class, the attorney for the City shall prepare
all charges and complaints against the parties for violations of this
Code and other City ordinances and appear before the Municipal Judge
when necessary and prosecute all offenders against the laws and ordinances
of the City. The City Attorney may delegate prosecutorial duties to
another qualified attorney.
B. The
attorney for the City shall prosecute and defend all suits originating
or pending in any court in the State in which the City may be a party,
unless otherwise specifically provided for.
C. The
attorney for the City shall defend all actions brought against any
officer, servant or agent of the City on account of his/her official
acts, except in cases in which the City is an instigating party.
D. The
attorney for the City shall make affidavit on behalf of the City in
all cases where such may be necessary in procuring changes of venue,
continuances or taking an appeal and shall report to the City Council
the condition of all suits pending in any court at the next meeting
of the Council after the adjournment of court.
E. The
attorney for the City shall advise the City Council or its committees,
or any City Officer, on such legal questions as may arise in relation
to business of the City, and he/she shall furnish written opinions,
when requested, to the Mayor or City Council; and he/she shall draw
up all ordinances when requested to do so by any committee of the
Council and give any such committee his/her opinion in writing, if
requested, upon all questions of law submitted to him/her by such
committee.
F. The
attorney for the City shall, in condemnation proceedings by the City,
prepare all legal papers connected therewith and see that all notices,
returns thereon, decisions of juries and all other matters are made
out in legal form and in accordance with the ordinances of the City
and laws governing Cities of the Third Class.
G. The
attorney for the City shall attend all regular meetings of the City
Council and, when directed by a majority of the City Council, any
special meetings of the City Council, unless leave of absence be granted
by the Mayor for good cause shown, or he/she be sick and unable to
attend.
[CC 1989 §2-93; Ord. No. 6774 §§1—2, 2-27-1995]
In any suit or action at law or in equity brought by or against
the City, except in the Municipal Court, or for other legal services,
the City Council may by resolution employ attorneys and pay them a
reasonable fee for services.
[CC 1989 §2-94; Ord. No. 6774 §§1—2, 2-27-1995]
Whenever the attorney for the City shall, by reason of temporary
absence, sickness or other cause, be unable to attend any court or
trial of any cause, he/she may, with the consent and approval of the
Mayor, appoint some competent lawyer to act in his/her stead during
his/her temporary disability.