In order to assist the Director of Law in the performance of the duties provided for in the City Charter or in order to provide legal services for the City when the position of Director of Law is vacant or when the Director is absent from the City, inaccessible or has declined to perform such services, the Mayor is authorized to employ for and on behalf of the City the firm of Squire, Sanders and Dempsey, Cleveland, Ohio, or other special counsel, under the title of special counsel and to agree on behalf of the City to pay such reasonable compensation for services as may be approved by Council.