Note: Cross reference—City attorney in unclassified service, § 19-9.
The office of city attorney of the City of Escondido is hereby created.
The city attorney shall be an attorney-at-law, licensed to practice law in this state.
The council shall appoint a city attorney, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the council or for such term as may be provided by an employment agreement between the city and the city attorney.
(Ord. No. 92-49, § 1)
(a) 
Subject to the provisions of any employment agreement which may be in effect between the city and the city attorney, removal of the city attorney shall be accomplished in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(b) 
The removal of the city attorney shall be only upon a three-fifths (3/5) majority vote of the whole council, subject, however, to the provisions of this section.
(c) 
In case of his or her intended removal by the council, the city attorney shall be furnished with a written notice stating the council's intention to remove him or her and the reason therefor, at least 30 days before the effective date of his or her removal.
(d) 
Within seven days after the delivery to the city attorney of such notice, he or she may, by written notification to the city clerk, request a hearing before the council.
(e) 
Thereafter, the council shall fix a time for the hearing (which shall be held at its usual meeting place, but before the expiration of the 30 day period) at which the city attorney shall appear and be heard, with or without counsel.
(f) 
After furnishing the city attorney with written notice, of intended removal, the council may suspend him or her from duty, but his or her compensation shall continue until his or her removal by resolution of the council passed subsequent to the aforesaid hearing.
(g) 
In removing the city attorney, the council shall use its uncontrolled discretion, and its action shall be final and shall not depend upon any particular showing or degree of proof at the hearing, the purpose of which is to allow the city attorney to present to the council his or her grounds of opposition to his or her removal prior to its action.
(Ord. No. 81-59, § 4, 8-12-81; Ord. No. 92-49, § 1, 12-2-92)
The city attorney shall receive such compensation as the council shall determine.
The city attorney shall have the following prescribed duties:
(a) 
Advise the city officials in all legal matters pertaining to city business.
(b) 
Frame all ordinances and resolutions required by the council.
(c) 
Perform other legal services required from time to time by the council.
Cross references—City attorney to assist city manager in administering the affairs of the city, § 2-4; duty to approve bond of applicant to move building or structure, § 6-326; duty to approve form of insurance policy of persons licensed to own or operate community antenna television, § 8-11; duty to approve bond of an applicant for private patrol service license, § 21-20; duty to bring civil action to abate nuisances in trailer parks, § 29-5.
The city attorney shall have the management and control over his or her office.
(Code 1957, §§ 1313.12—1313.14)