East Palo Alto Municipal Code Ch. 2.16 City Attorney

There is created the office of city attorney, an executive office of the city. The city council appoints the city attorney on the basis of his/her qualification in dealing with municipal legal problems, including education, experience, research work done and willingness to continue to learn about municipal legal problems.

(Prior code § 2-3.201)

A. The city attorney shall be the legal advisor of the city and shall render advice and opinions in all legal questions affecting the city, whenever requested to do so by any city official.

B. The city attorney shall attend all regular and adjourned regular meetings of the city council unless specifically excused from attendance by the council, and shall attend special meetings of the city council as may be reasonably requested by the council. He/she shall also attend all regular and adjourned regular meetings of the city planning commission as requested.

C. It shall be the duty of the city attorney to draft or supervise the phraseology of any contract, lease or other documents or instruments to which the city may be a party.

D. It shall be the duty of the city attorney to see to the full enforcement of all judgments or decrees rendered or entered in favor of the city, and of all similar interlocutory orders.

E. The city attorney shall prosecute or defend any and all suits or actions at law or equity to which the city may be a party, or in which it may be interested, or which may be brought against, or by, any officer of the city on behalf of the city or in the capacity of such person as an officer of the city. He/she shall also appear on behalf of the city before the state legislature, state administrative and regulatory agencies as may be directed by the city council.

F. The city attorney is responsible for prosecuting violations of city ordinances.

(Prior code § 2-3.202)