Chapter 2.36
CITY ATTORNEY

Sections:

2.36.010    Appointment of Attorney, Clerk.

2.36.020    Duties.

2.36.030    Compensation.

2.36.040    Previous compensation.

2.36.050    Associate counsel.

2.36.010 Appointment of Attorney, Clerk.

The offices of the City Clerk and City Attorney shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote by the City Council. (Ord. 269 § 1, 1961).

2.36.020 Duties.

The City Attorney shall advise the city authorities and officers on all legal matters pertaining to the business of the city and shall approve all ordinances as to form. He shall represent the city in all actions brought by or against the city or against the city officials or employees in their official capacity. He shall attend all regular and special meetings of the City Council and shall prosecute violations of city ordinances as directed by the City Council. He shall perform such other legal duties as the City Council shall order from time to time or direct by ordinance. (Ord. 300 § 1, 1963).

2.36.030 Compensation.

The City Attorney shall receive a monthly retainer in such amounts as the Council may, from time to time, establish by ordinance. The monthly retainer paid by the city as fixed from time to time by ordinance shall be compensation to the City Attorney for all legal services performed in connection with or having to do with all city operations in a governmental, as distinguished from a proprietary capacity; provided, however, that this shall not include representing the city in any superior court action, nor preparation therefor, nor shall the retainer include time spent on purchasing of property, obtaining easements, rights-of-way, nor time spent on obligation bond issues, revenue bond issues or condemnation actions, nor time spent in the preparation and drafting of special ordinances or resolutions, nor services rendered in connection with any local improvement distracts or annexation. It is contemplated that, from time to time, some cause may come before the city requiring services over and above the formal duties of the City Attorney, and that when such services are requested and required by the City Council, they too shall be compensated at the rate now fixed for additional duties, which rate shall be consistent with and based on the hourly fee and court proceedings fee established by the Seattle-King County Bar Association. The rate shall be the rate paid for all services performed by the City Attorney other than those covered by the monthly retainer; provided, however, that if the rate established by the Seattle-King County Bar Association should be changed or a fee schedule should be hereafter adopted by the East King County Bar Association, then the rate may be changed accordingly by ordinance. It is further provided that in the event additional services or duties are required of the City Attorney, for which additional compensation is to be paid as above set forth, additional duties and services shall be reflected in the minutes of the City Council. (Ord. 300 § 2, 1963).

2.36.040 Previous compensation.

Compensation heretofore paid and received by the City Attorney for all previous actions performed by the City Attorney under the direction of the Mayor or City Council is hereby ratified and confirmed. The City Council hereby declaring that the compensation has been made for such actions in accordance with the above provisions as though the ordinance codified in this chapter had been previously enacted. (Ord. 300 § 3, 1963).

2.36.050 Associate counsel.

From time to time, as the need arises, the City Council may employ additional counsel to assist the City Attorney in superior court actions, financing arrangements or other proceedings. The compensation for his services shall be set by the Council at the time of the employment of the additional counsel. (Ord. 300 § 4, 1963).