The council shall, if it deems expedient, at any regular or special meeting appoint a city attorney. The city attorney must be a regularly licensed attorney and shall perform the duties required of him by the general laws and by the ordinances of the city and such other duties as the council may by law or resolution require. In case of disability or inability, the city attorney may with the consent and approval of the city council appoint a deputy to advise the city officers in any or all legal matters and to perform any duty ordinarily performed by the city attorney. Instead of appointing a city attorney, the council may, upon recommendation of the mayor, employ an attorney to perform such duties as shall prescribe. (Prior code §9-35)