(A) Pursuant to IC 36-4-9-12, there is hereby created a Department of Law in the city to be headed by the City Attorney.
(B) The City Attorney shall have the following responsibilities and duties.
(1) Manage the legal affairs of the city.
(2) Prosecute violators of city ordinances.
(3) Give legal advice to the officers, departments, boards, commissions, and other agencies of the city.
(4) Draft ordinances or other legal papers for the city and its departments, boards, commissions, and other agencies when requested by the proper officer.
(5) Maintain custody of the records of his office and turn them over to his successor in office.
(6) Make all title searches and examine all abstracts required in public work of any kind, including opening, widening, or changing a street, alley, or public place.
(7) Promptly commence all proceedings necessary or advisable for the protection or enforcement of the rights of the city or the public.
(8) Use all diligence to collect costs, fees, and recoveries within the scope of his duties.
(9) Report, in writing, to the Mayor all matters that he considers important.
(10) Report, in writing, to the fiscal officer all judgments for which the city is liable.
(11) Officers, departments, boards, commissions, and other agencies of the city may not employ attorneys without the authorization of the head of the Department of law.
(a) The Common Council may hire or contract with competent attorneys and legal research assistants on terms it considers appropriate.
(b) Employment of an attorney under this section does not affect the Department of Law established under division (A) above.
(c) Appropriations for salaries of attorneys and legal research assistants employed under this section may not exceed the appropriations for similar salaries in the budget of the Department of Law.
(Ord. 2340, passed 10-5-81)