Chapter 2.35
CITY ATTORNEY*
Sections:
2.35.010 General powers and duties.
2.35.020 Duty to draft legal instruments.
2.35.030 Duties with respect to litigation.
*Charter reference – Appointment of city attorney, § 10.
2.35.010 General powers and duties.
The city attorney, unless otherwise directed by the council, shall have the management, charge and control of all law business of the city and be the legal adviser of the mayor, council, city manager and the several departments of the city government, and when required, shall furnish written or verbal opinions upon any subject involving questions of law submitted to him by them. The city attorney shall perform such other duties as are or may be required of him by ordinance or resolution of the council. (Code 1964, § 2-42; Code 1985, § 2-100).
2.35.020 Duty to draft legal instruments.
It shall be the duty of the city attorney to draft all bonds, deeds, obligations, contracts, leases, conveyances, agreements and other legal instruments of whatsoever nature, which may be required of him by any ordinance or order of the council, or which, by any ordinance or order heretofore passed, may be required to be done and made by the city, or which may be required by any person contracting with the city in its corporate capacity and which, by law, usage or agreement, the city is to incur the expense of drawing. (Code 1964, § 2-42; Code 1985, § 2-101).
2.35.030 Duties with respect to litigation.
It shall be the duty of the city attorney, unless otherwise directed by the council, to commence and prosecute all actions and suits to be commenced by the city before any tribunal in this state, whether in law or in equity, and to appear in defense and to advocate the rights and interests of the city, or of any officer of the city, in any suit or prosecution for any act in the discharge of his official duties wherein any estate, right, privilege, ordinance or acts of the city government may be brought in question. When the city manager shall direct a prosecution for a nuisance, the city attorney shall appear for the prosecution when the case shall come into court, and if the court shall require it, the city attorney shall appear for the prosecution in such case. (Code 1964, § 2-42; Code 1985, § 2-102).
2.35.040 Travel expenses.
Whenever the attendance of the city attorney is required out of the city, his travel expenses shall be allowed him. (Code 1964, § 2-43; Code 1985, § 2-103).