Costa Mesa Municipal Code Art. 2 Powers and Duties

The city attorney shall advise city officials in all legal matters pertaining to city business including conflicts; frame all ordinances and resolutions required by the legislative body or under his or her own initiative; represent the city's interests in legal actions brought against the city or to select and oversee other legal counsel retained to do so; perform such other legal services as are required by this Code or by the city council from time to time; prosecute municipal code violations; prosecute misdemeanors committed within the city arising from violation of state law with the consent of the district attorney; jointly with the city manager, initiate and supervise retention of other legal counsel to provide specialized services to the city; and cooperate with and assist the city manager in administering the affairs of the city most efficiently, economically and harmoniously so far as may be consistent with his or her duties as prescribed by law and contract. If the city attorney is retained by contract, the duties, rights and obligations of the city attorney shall be as set forth in this Code and in the professional services contract.

(Ord. No. 08-8, § 3, 1-6-09)

If the city attorney is an individual at-will employee, he or she shall be considered the appointing authority for such subordinate officers or employees as may be authorized by council action, subject to the approval of the city manager. If the city attorney is an individual or law firm which is an independent contractor of the city, all attorney employees or contractors of the individual law firm employed to perform city attorney services shall be considered to be deputies of the individual designated as the city attorney. The city attorney may delegate any of the powers and duties conferred upon him or her under this Code to any other officer or employee of the city or any other employee or contractor of the city attorney pursuant to a contract for professional services, or may recommend that such powers and duties be performed under contract.

(Ord. No. 08-8, § 3, 1-6-09)

It shall be the duty of the city attorney or his/her designee to attend all meetings of the city council and such of its committees as he or she may deem necessary, unless excused therefrom by the city council.

(Ord. No. 08-8, § 3, 1-6-09)

It shall be the duty of the city attorney and he or she shall have the power to make reports and recommendations as may be desirable or as requested by the city council.

(Ord. No. 08-8, § 3, 1-6-09)