Section 700. - Form of government.

The system of government established by this Charter shall be known as the "Council-Manager" form of government.

Section 701. - Appointive offices.

The municipal offices, established by this Article, shall be known as appointive offices of the City. Persons shall be appointed to and removed from, such offices by the City Council, in accordance with the provisions hereof.

Section 702. - City Manager, appointment, qualification, compensation.

The appointive office of City Manager for the City is hereby created. The qualification, appointment, salary, duties, tenure and discharge of the City Manager shall be prescribed by ordinance of the City Council.

Section 703. - City Manager duties.

The City Manager, or person acting in that capacity, shall perform the duties provided by ordinance. The City Council shall provide a defense for, and indemnify him, for any action brought against him in the scope of his employment as Manager of the City or Community Redevelopment Agency.

Section 704. - City Attorney, appointment, qualification, compensation.

The appointive office of City Attorney of City is hereby created. The City Attorney shall be directly responsible to the City Council for the performance of his duties.

 (a) Appointment. A qualified person shall be appointed to the office of City Attorney, by resolution of the City Council, adopted by the affirmative votes of not less than (3) members thereof.

 (b) Compensation. The City Council by the affirmative votes of not less than three (3) Councilmen shall, from time to time, by resolution, set the compensation for the Office of City Attorney.

 (c) Qualification. The qualification, tenure, contractual relation and discharge or suspension shall be provided by not less than 3/5 vote of the City Council.

Section 705. - City Attorney duties.

The duties of the office of City Attorney shall be as follows:

(a) he shall act as the legal advisor for the City and to its officers and employees, in all matters relating to City affairs;

(b) he shall be required to appear and defend the City in all matters in civil litigation involving the City and its officers and employees. He shall prosecute all violations of City ordinances, but may, with the approval of the City Council, delegate such authority to the District Attorney.

(c) he shall prepare all ordinance, resolutions, contracts, opinions and other legal documents as required by the City Council relating to the affairs of the City; and

(d) he shall perform such other duties as may be required of him by the City Council. The City Council shall provide a defense for, and indemnify, the City Attorney for any action brought against him in the scope of his employment as Attorney for the City and for the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Section 706. - City Attorney, deputies, special counsel.

The City Attorney shall have the authority to appoint deputy city attorneys, to act as such, under the control and direction of the City Attorney. Compensation for such deputies, if any, shall be set by the City Council. The City Attorney may, with the approval of the City Council, engage the services of special counsel to assist him in the performance of his said duties.

Section 707. - City Clerk, appointment, qualification, compensation.

The appointive office of City Clerk of City is hereby created. Such office may be combined with that of any other appointive office. The City Clerk shall be appointed, serve at the pleasure of, and removed by, and be responsible to, the City Council, or the City Manager as may be from time to time provided by ordinance.

Section 708. - City Treasurer.

The appointive office of City Treasurer is hereby established. The duties of the City Treasurer shall be those imposed by applicable and/or general law, except as those duties may be modified by ordinance of the City. The salary, tenure, appointment and removal of the City Treasurer shall be as prescribed by the City Council.

Section 709. - Bonds.

The appointive officers shall post such fidelity bonds as may be required by the City Council. Such bonds shall be a proper charge upon the City.

Section 710. - Continuity.

No appointive officer shall be removed from office, suspended or reduced in authority or compensation for 90 days following a municipal election or change in membership on the City Council.