Chapter 2.23
LAW DEPARTMENT

Sections:

2.23.010    Creation of department.

2.23.020    City attorney – Appointment and Confirmation.

2.23.030    City attorney – Duties.

2.23.040    City attorney – Qualifications.

2.23.010 Creation of department.

There is hereby created a city department known as the law department. The law department shall be responsible for providing legal advice to the city council, mayor, municipal court, all city boards and commissions, department directors, and staff. The law department will represent the city in all litigation and in all courts; draft legal documents such as contracts, resolutions, ordinances, real estate documents, labor agreements; prosecute all code violations; attend all city council meetings and all council committee meetings; staff the ethics board; prosecute misdemeanors including domestic violence, DUI, theft, assault in all courts; perform the following risk management and insurance administration: receive all claims for damages and respond or forward to the insurance carrier; receive all lawsuits, notify the insurance carrier, and assign to city attorney; coordinate claims of damage to city property and process for restitution or subrogation; maintain current inventory of insured property to ensure insurance coverage.

(Ord. No. 10-666, § 16, 8-3-10.)

2.23.020 City attorney – Appointment and Confirmation.

There is hereby created the position of city attorney. The city attorney shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority of the city council.

(Ord. No. 10-666, § 16, 8-3-10.)

2.23.030 City attorney – Duties.

The city attorney shall be responsible for directing and coordinating comprehensive legal services for the city; providing counsel to the mayor, council, staff, committees and commissions; supervising professional and administrative support legal staff; providing legal advice to guide city policies, decisions and activities; representing the city and directing the representation of the city at various court levels and tribunals in criminal and civil litigation and in administrative hearings; drafting and interpreting city ordinances and resolutions; and negotiating real property acquisitions.

(Ord. No. 11-684, § 2, 1-18-11; Ord. No. 10-666, § 16, 8-3-10.)

2.23.040 City attorney – Qualifications.

The city attorney shall have any combination equivalent to a law degree with admission to practice law in the state of Washington and comprehensive municipal experience in criminal and civil matters including increasingly responsible legal management and administrative duties.

(Ord. No. 10-666, § 16, 8-3-10.)