The adoption of this Charter shall not affect any pre-existing rights of the Municipality nor any right, or liability, or pending suit or prosecution, either on behalf of or against the Municipality or any officer thereof; nor any franchise granted by the Municipality; nor pending proceedings for the authorization of public improvements or the levy of assessments therefor. Except to the extent inconsistent with this Charter, all acts of the Council of the Municipality, including ordinances and resolutions in effect at the date this Charter shall become effective, shall continue and remain in full force and effect until lawfully amended, repealed, or expired according to their own terms. No action or proceeding pending against the Municipality or any officer thereof shall be abated or affected by the adoption or implementation of this Charter; but all such actions or proceedings shall be prosecuted or defended under the laws in effect at the time of the commencement of such action or proceeding.