§ 902. OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY.

The Office of the City Attorney is hereby established. The City Attorney shall be an attorney-at-law, and shall be licensed to practice the profession in the State of California. In addition, the City Attorney should have had at least five (5) years' experience in the practice of law prior to appointment. The City Attorney shall have the power and duty to:

(a) Represent and appear for the City, its Council, boards and commissions in all actions or proceedings in which they are concerned or are a party; and represent and appear for a City officer or employee, or a former City officer or employee, in all actions or proceedings in which such officer or employee is a party-defendant due to the performance of the person's official duties, provided such representation and appearance, in the opinion of the City Attorney will not conflict with the City Attorney's duties to the City and will not affect the interests of the City;

(b) Advise the Council and all City officers in all matters of law pertaining to their offices;

(c) Attend all meetings of the Council, except when excused or disabled, and give such advice or opinion on the legality of all matters under consideration by the Council or by any of the boards, commissions or officers of the City;

(d) Prepare ordinances, formal resolutions, contracts and other legal instruments as shall be required or as may be deemed necessary by the City Attorney for the proper conduct of the business of the City, and approve the form of such contracts and the form of all bonds given to the City;

(e) Upon direction of the Council prosecute on behalf of the people all criminal cases for violation of City ordinances;

(f) Perform such other legal duties as may be required by the Council.

The Council may retain or employ other attorneys to take charge of any litigation or legal matter or to assist the City Attorney therein.

(As amended November 7, 1989)