The Municipal Solicitor, who shall be an attorney at law, and
who shall be directly under the supervision and control of Council,
shall be appointed by Council as provided for in the Charter. Council
may appoint assistants to the Solicitor, as it deems necessary, from
time to time. The Solicitor and his assistants shall receive compensation
as fixed by Council and shall serve at the pleasure of Council. Council
shall have the authority to engage special counsel for labor issues
and other matters when deemed appropriate.
The functions of the Municipal Solicitor shall be:
A. To advise Council and the Manager, or any department director when
so required by the Manager, upon all legal questions arising in the
conduct of the affairs of the municipality. In case of the absence
or unavailability of the Manager, a Department Director may directly
request advice from the Solicitor.
B. To prepare or revise ordinances when requested by Council or the
Manager.
C. To give his written opinion on any legal matter or question submitted
to him by Council or the Manager.
D. To attend Council meetings when requested by Council.
E. To prepare for execution all contracts and instruments to which the
municipality is a party and approve as to form all bonds required
to be submitted to the municipality.
F. To represent the municipality in all legal actions brought by or
against the municipality unless the City's insurer engages alternate
counsel.
G. To adjust, settle, compromise, or submit to arbitration any action
or cause of action, accounts or other matters in which the municipality
is involved, as directed by Council.
H. To make a monthly report to Council and to the Manager of all pending
litigation in which the municipality has an interest and the status
of that litigation.
I. To keep records and deliver all records, documents and property of
every description in his possession that is pertinent to his work
as Municipal Solicitor to his successor in office.
J. To perform all other legal services requested by Council or the Manager
pertaining to municipal affairs.