A. Provide legal advice and opinions orally and in writing to the city council, city manager, and other person, if that person is authorized by city council, or any administrative staff authorized by the city manager to obtain such advice and opinions.

B. Review and approve as to form all written contracts, bonds, real property instruments, and other legally binding documents to which the city is a party.

C. Prepare or have final approval over all ordinances, resolutions, orders, and other documents of council decisions, prior to their submission to city council for consideration, adoption or approval.

D. Represent and defend the city and its boards, commissions, committees, and their respective officers or employees. The city attorney shall not represent persons the city council determines acted outside the scope of their duties or employment, committed malfeasance in office, or willful neglect of duty.

E. Institute legal actions for the city in any court or tribunal as directed by the city council, including prosecuting offenses in the municipal court. If approved by the city council, the city attorney shall institute appeals on behalf of the city in any case which another party has first appealed. The city attorney shall institute other appeals as directed by city council.

F. Manage all legal aspects of the city’s self-insurance program, including claims investigation, settlement and litigation.

G. Coordinate, supervise, and control services of legal counsel retained to represent the city as well as the attorneys and the attorneys’ support staff.

H. Subject to prior approval by city council, select and retain all outside legal counsel employed by the city. The city attorney shall coordinate and supervise all services performed by such counsel and shall approve all legal fees prior to payment.

I. Present a copy of the proposed budget of the city attorney’s office to city council at the same time that the city attorney submits it to the city manager for internal staff review. Internal staff review changes on the proposed budget of the city attorney’s office, if any, shall be submitted to city council for review and concurrence before submitting it to the budget committee.

J. Submit written or oral reports to the city council as frequently as required by the city council concerning the status of all tort claims and legal actions in which the city is a party.

K. Such other duties as the city council shall, from time to time, assign to the city attorney. [BC 1.05.020, added by Ordinance No. 4764, 6/11/19; amended by Ordinance No. 4794, 12/1/20]