Chapter 2.12
CITY ATTORNEY

Sections:

2.12.010    City attorney and assistants—Positions created.

2.12.020    City attorney—Appointment—Compensation.

2.12.030    Assistant city attorney—Appointment—Compensation.

2.12.040    City attorney—Duties.

2.12.050    City manager—Authority to designate assistant city attorneys.

2.12.010 City attorney and assistants—Positions created.

There is hereby created a legal department consisting of a city attorney and such assistant city attorney(s) as may from time to time be deemed necessary. The city attorney shall be a lawyer qualified to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of Washington. (Ord. 3781 § 1, 2012; Ord. 3230 § 1, 1994; prior code § 1.28.010)

2.12.020 City attorney—Appointment—Compensation.

The city attorney shall be appointed and removed by the city manager, subject to the approval of the city council. The compensation of the city attorney and his assistant(s) shall be as fixed by the city council. (Ord. 3230 § 2, 1994; Ord. 3160 § 1, 1991; prior code § 1.28.020)

2.12.030 Assistant city attorney—Appointment—Compensation.

Any assistant city attorney appointed hereunder shall possess the same qualifications as city attorney and be appointed by the city manager upon recommendation of the city attorney. (Ord. 3230 § 3, 1994; Ord. 3160 § 2, 1991; prior code § 1.28.030)

2.12.040 City attorney—Duties.

The city attorney shall:

A. Act as legal advisor to and counsel for the council and manager in matters relating to their official duties;

B. Represent the city in litigation in which the city is interested, unless the manager, with the approval of the council, otherwise provides;

C. Provide legal opinions on official matters when requested by the council or manager,

D. Draft and review for legal correctness, contracts, bonds, franchises, and other instruments to which the city is a party;

E. Draft ordinances as requested by city council;

F. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the administrative code or otherwise by general laws or ordinances. (Ord. 3230 § 4, 1994; Ord. 3160 § 3, 1991; prior code § 1.28.040)

2.12.050 City manager—Authority to designate assistant city attorneys.

Nothing herein contained shall prevent the city manager from designating qualified lawyers to act as assistant city attorney(s) in the event of the absence or disability of the city attorney. (Ord. 3230 § 5, 1994)