The council shall appoint a city attorney for a term of one year commencing at the annual meeting of the city council held each year in January. He/she shall perform all the duties imposed by law on city attorneys, shall act as prosecuting attorney and perform such other duties consistent with his/her office as the council may impose by ordinance; provided that the council shall have the right and power to employ special counsel for special matters or actions at law in which the city is interested.