The adoption of this Charter shall not affect any pre-existing rights of the City, nor any right or liability or pending suit or prosecution, either on behalf of or against the City or any officer thereof, nor any franchise granted by the City or any officer thereof, nor pending proceedings for the authorization of public improvements or the levy of assessments therefore. Except as a contrary intent appears herein, all acts of the Council of the City, including ordinances and resolutions in effect at the date this Charter becomes effective, shall continue in effect at the date this Charter becomes effective or until lawfully amended or repealed. No action or proceeding pending against the City or an officer thereof shall be abated or affected by the adoption of this Charter, but all such actions or proceedings shall be prosecuted or defended under the laws in effect at the time of filing thereof.