[Adopted 2-4-1985; amended 7-7-1986; 4-5-1993; 7-7-2003; 8-4-2003; 3-2-2009 by Ord. No.
05-09; 5-2-2013 by Ord. No. 09-13; 5-2-2013 by Ord. No. 11-13[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: In accordance with the provisions of
Chapter III, Section 6, of the Charter, this article was also amended
2-4-2013 by Ord. No. 04-13 and 2-4-2013 by Ord. No. 05-13.
The Office of the General Counsel shall consist
of the General Counsel and such other personnel as may be deemed necessary
by the Mayor and Common Council.
A.
Positions established; appointment; removal. There
shall be positions established in the Office of the General Counsel
known as "Deputy General Counsels." The Deputy General Counsels shall
hold a juris doctorate and have had at least five years of general
law experience and be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut
and before the Federal District Court for the State of Connecticut.
The Counsels must have the ability to do legal research with an understanding
of the significance of the research, to analyze pertinent facts, to
communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and to establish
and maintain a good working relationship with the General Counsel
and other municipal officials and employees. The positions shall be
filled by appointment by the Mayor, with the consent of the Common
Council. The Deputy General Counsels shall serve a probationary period
of three calendar months. The Mayor may terminate the employment of
any Deputy General Counsel for such reasons as deemed appropriate
by the Mayor during the probationary period. After the expiration
of a probationary period, no Deputy General Counsel may be terminated
by the Mayor except for cause, and only after at least 10 days' written
notice of the charges and a hearing.
B.
Duties. The Deputy General Counsels shall perform
duties in the Office of the General Counsel under the direction of
and in accordance with criteria and standards established by the General
Counsel. Duties include, but are not limited to, analysis of facts
and evidence in particular cases, performing legal research, performing
factual research, including but not limited to site visits for code
enforcement or road projects, preparing for trials including drafting
of pleadings, preparing and interviewing witnesses, conducting depositions,
drafting and analysis of pertinent documents, negotiating contracts
and other agreements on behalf of the City, preparation for and appearance
at administrative hearings, meetings and other proceedings, assistance
during trial and trial of matters as assigned by the General Counsel,
assisting special counsel as directed by the General Counsel, reviewing
and drafting of contracts and other documents, and other related duties.
C.
Compensation and benefits. The Deputy General Counsels
shall be compensated at a salary to be determined by the Common Council.
The Deputy General Counsels shall receive such fringe benefits, including
but not limited to, professional liability insurance, medical insurance
coverage, sick days, vacation leave and other benefits as are provided
by the City to department directors who are not members of a collective
bargaining unit.
The General Counsel shall have the authority
to compromise or settle any claim by or against the City of Middletown,
which claim does not exceed the amount of $5,000. The General Counsel
shall provide the members of the Insurance and Claims Committee with
a monthly report of those claims which have been settled, during that
report period, within the authority limit of $5,000.
There shall be three divisions of the Office of the General
Counsel: the Legal Division, the Risk Management Division, and the
Human Resources Division.
A.
Legal
Division: The purpose of the Legal Division shall include representing
the City in legal disputes and advising City officials as they develop
programs, projects, policies, and legislation.
B.
Risk
Management Division: The purpose of the Risk Management Division shall
include the administration of the City's insurance programs including,
but not limited to, liability, automobile, property and casualty insurance,
workers' compensation, and employee health and life insurance benefits.
This Division's responsibilities shall also include coordinating job
safety training programs for all municipal employees.
C.
Human
Resources Division: The purpose of the Human Resources Division shall
include providing assistance to all officials and departments in personnel
administration and labor relations and implementing the personnel
policies of the City, including but not limited to assuring the employment
of able, productive and efficient employees and assuring equal opportunity
for employment with the City.
