[CC 1989 §2-91; Ord. No. 6774 §§1—2, 2-27-1995]
No person shall be eligible to the office of attorney for the City who is not licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri at the time of his/her appointment, and who continuously thereafter while in office is licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri.
[CC 1989 §2-92; Ord. No. 6774 §§1—2, 2-27-1995]
A. 
In addition to the duties imposed upon him/her by State law governing Cities of the Third Class, the attorney for the City shall prepare all charges and complaints against the parties for violations of this Code and other City ordinances and appear before the Municipal Judge when necessary and prosecute all offenders against the laws and ordinances of the City. The City Attorney may delegate prosecutorial duties to another qualified attorney.
B. 
The attorney for the City shall prosecute and defend all suits originating or pending in any court in the State in which the City may be a party, unless otherwise specifically provided for.
C. 
The attorney for the City shall defend all actions brought against any officer, servant or agent of the City on account of his/her official acts, except in cases in which the City is an instigating party.
D. 
The attorney for the City shall make affidavit on behalf of the City in all cases where such may be necessary in procuring changes of venue, continuances or taking an appeal and shall report to the City Council the condition of all suits pending in any court at the next meeting of the Council after the adjournment of court.
E. 
The attorney for the City shall advise the City Council or its committees, or any City Officer, on such legal questions as may arise in relation to business of the City, and he/she shall furnish written opinions, when requested, to the Mayor or City Council; and he/she shall draw up all ordinances when requested to do so by any committee of the Council and give any such committee his/her opinion in writing, if requested, upon all questions of law submitted to him/her by such committee.
F. 
The attorney for the City shall, in condemnation proceedings by the City, prepare all legal papers connected therewith and see that all notices, returns thereon, decisions of juries and all other matters are made out in legal form and in accordance with the ordinances of the City and laws governing Cities of the Third Class.
G. 
The attorney for the City shall attend all regular meetings of the City Council and, when directed by a majority of the City Council, any special meetings of the City Council, unless leave of absence be granted by the Mayor for good cause shown, or he/she be sick and unable to attend.
[CC 1989 §2-93; Ord. No. 6774 §§1—2, 2-27-1995]
In any suit or action at law or in equity brought by or against the City, except in the Municipal Court, or for other legal services, the City Council may by resolution employ attorneys and pay them a reasonable fee for services.
[CC 1989 §2-94; Ord. No. 6774 §§1—2, 2-27-1995]
Whenever the attorney for the City shall, by reason of temporary absence, sickness or other cause, be unable to attend any court or trial of any cause, he/she may, with the consent and approval of the Mayor, appoint some competent lawyer to act in his/her stead during his/her temporary disability.