The City Attorney shall be licensed to practice law within the State of California and shall be chosen solely on the basis of his or her legal and administrative qualifications.
(Prior code § 2-4-2)
The City Attorney shall be directly appointed by the Council to serve at its pleasure pursuant to Section 2.04.090 of this title except, if the City Attorney is employed only part-time, the terms of his or her appointment and removal shall be fixed by contract.
(Prior code § 2-4-3)
The City Attorney hereby expressly is authorized and empowered by the Council to prosecute violations of the City Code through criminal or civil action, or both; to appear and defend against all civil or criminal suits filed against the City; to file and litigate civil actions on behalf of the City, and to prosecute or defend the City's actions concerning personnel rules or agreements. The City Attorney shall advise the Council, boards and commissions, and City staff on legal matters; draft ordinances or resolutions or agreements initiated by the Council when requested to do so by the Council; review all ordinances or resolutions or agreements prior to submission to the Council when requested to do so by the Council; review all ordinances or resolutions or agreements prior to submission to the Council by the City Manager or a department head; recommend changes to the Council concerning substantive or procedural legal requirements, and represent the City in negotiations requiring legal expertise. Further, the City Attorney shall prepare the budget for the City Attorney's office, and shall be solely responsible for the efficient and effective administration of the City Attorney's office.
(Prior code § 2-4-4)
Matters subject to the attorney-client privilege which are raised by the Council or a member of the Council shall be confidential. Once litigation has commenced, neither the Council or any of its members shall deal with the parties to the litigation by any means except through the City Attorney.
(Prior code § 2-4-5)