Chapter 2.20
LEGAL DEPARTMENT*

Sections:

2.20.010    Department created.

2.20.020    City attorney – Position created and appointment.

2.20.030    Qualifications.

2.20.040    Duties and powers.

2.20.050    Assistant city attorneys.

2.20.060    Interlocal agreements.

2.20.070    Salary.

*Cross reference(s) – Indemnification, ch. 2.96; personnel, title 2, subtitle IV.

2.20.010 Department created.

There is hereby created the legal department for the purpose of performing all the legal functions of the city. The department shall consist of the civil division, which will be responsible for representing the city in all civil matters including litigation, and the prosecution division, which will be responsible for prosecuting all misdemeanor cases in the city. The department shall be supervised by the city attorney who shall serve as its director, who shall have complete charge of all of the work of the department, and who shall be responsible for hiring and supervising employees of the department.

(Ord. No. 3512, § 7, 6-6-00)

2.20.020 City attorney – Position created and appointment.

There is hereby created the position known as city attorney. The position is created in accordance with the City of Kent Policies and Procedures Manual. The city attorney shall be appointed by the mayor in accordance with the provisions of the City of Kent Policies and Procedures Manual solely on the basis of professional experience, education and demonstrated knowledge of accepted practices relating to the duties of the department.

(Ord. No. 3512, § 7, 6-6-00)

2.20.030 Qualifications.

The city attorney must be a graduate of an accredited law school and a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1; Ord. No. 3512, § 7, 6-6-00. Formerly § 2.04.030)

2.20.040 Duties and powers.

It shall be the duty of the city attorney to advise all city officials elected or appointed, city employees and city boards or commissions in all legal matters pertaining to the business of the city and to approve all ordinances and resolutions as to form. The city attorney shall supervise the representation of the city in all actions brought by or against the city or against city officials in their official capacity. The city attorney shall perform such other duties as the city council, mayor or chief administrative officer may direct or as may be required by the laws of the state. The city attorney shall have complete charge of all of the work of the legal department.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1; Ord. No. 3512, § 7, 6-6-00. Formerly § 2.04.040)

2.20.050 Assistant city attorneys.

The city attorney may appoint necessary assistants who shall have the power to perform any act which the city attorney is authorized to perform.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1; Ord. No. 3512, § 7, 6-6-00. Formerly § 2.04.050)

2.20.060 Interlocal agreements.

The city attorney is authorized to consult with and provide legal services to governmental agencies, municipal and public corporations or other public offices. The city attorney is authorized to enter into interlocal agreements or contracts to provide such consultation or legal services. The city attorney and assistant city attorneys are authorized to serve in a private capacity as judge pro tem, court magistrate, arbitrator or in any other capacity for a court agency so long as such service does not conflict or interfere with representation of the city.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1; Ord. No. 3512, § 7, 6-6-00. Formerly § 2.04.060)

2.20.070 Salary.

The salary of the city attorney shall be that as established in the annual city budget. The salary of assistant city attorneys shall be set and modified by city attorney subject to the annual city budget.

(Ord. No. 2366, § 1; Ord. No. 2560, § 1; Ord. No. 3512, § 7, 6-6-00. Formerly § 2.04.070)