The text
Sec. 2-142. - Duties.#
It shall be the duty of the city solicitor, or some person duly authorized by him and for whose conduct, skill and faithfulness he shall be accountable, to draft all bonds, deeds, obligations, conveyances, agreements and other legal instruments of whatsoever nature which may be required of him by any provision of this Code or other ordinance or order of the city council or by any committee of the council. The city solicitor shall commence and prosecute all actions and suits to be commenced by the city before any tribunal of the state, whether at law or in equity, and shall appear in, defend and advocate the interests and rights of the city or of any officers thereof in any suit or prosecution for any act or omission in the discharge of their official duties wherein any estate, right, privilege, ordinance or act or any breach of any ordinance may be brought into question. The city solicitor shall also, when requested, act as attorney and counsel for any officers of the city in any prosecution or proceeding which may be instituted by such officers in their official capacity for any breach of any of the laws of the state or of any of the provisions of this Code or other ordinances, orders or bylaws of the city. The city solicitor shall, in all matters, do every professional act incident to the office which may be required of him by the city council or by any committee thereof and shall, when required, furnish the city council or any officer of the city who may require it in the discharge of his official duties with his written legal opinion on any subject touching the duties of their respective offices or the rights, duties and interests of the city.
(Code 1973, § 2-20; Code 1994, § 2-67)
Sec. 2-143. - Compensation.#
In all cases, when attendance out of the city may be required of the city solicitor, his reasonable traveling expenses shall be allowed him.
(Code 1973, § 2-21; Code 1994, § 2-68)
Sec. 2-144. - Assistant city solicitor.#
(a)
Position established. There is hereby created in the law department of the city the position of assistant city solicitor.
(b)
Appointment; qualifications. The mayor shall make the appointment of the assistant city solicitor, who shall be a lawyer admitted to the practice before the supreme court of the state.
(c)
Functions and duties. The assistant city solicitor shall have such functions and duties as are authorized and delegated to the law department of the city under provisions of Charter. He or she shall work under the supervision of the mayor and the city solicitor and shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor.
(Code 1973, § 2-21.1; Code 1994, § 2-69; Ord. of 6-23-2000; Ord. of 4-12-2013)
Sec. 2-145. - Legislative solicitor—Legislation.#
(a)
Position established. The position of legislative solicitor is hereby established to provide advice and counsel to city council on matters wherein the city council by majority vote has determined the need for advice and counsel separate and apart than that being rendered by the city law department on a particular city matter.
(b)
Appointment; qualifications. The city council may engage a legislative solicitor, who shall be a lawyer licensed to practice in Rhode Island and have a minimum of five years experience. Said engagement shall be on a contract basis and it shall not constitute an appointment as a city employee or a member of the law department.
(c)
Functions and duties. The legislative solicitor shall have such functions and duties to advise the council on legislative and other legal matters wherein the council has determined the need for legal representation separate and apart from the law department and such engagement shall be for a period not to exceed 90 days with compensation allocated annually at the amount of $7,500.00 from the city's contingency fund. This legislative solicitor shall serve at the pleasure of the council and address those issues as outlined in a duly authorized and approved letter of engagement.
(Code 1994, § 2-70; Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 4-20-2013)