THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 1609

(b) The city attorney shall have charge of the prepara-
tion and trial of all suits, actions, and proceedings of every
kind to which the city shall be a party in any court, state
or federal, or before any trial magistrate when requested
by the mayor, and of all actions brought to enforce the
ordinances of the board of aldermen or to punish viola-
tions thereof.

(c) Upon the request of the board of aldermen, any
member thereof, the mayor, or any officer of the city, the
city attorney shall give written advice on all questions of
law which may be referred to him.

(d) He shall prepare ordinances for introduction into
the board of aldermen.

(e) He shall serve as the legal adviser to the Board of
Supervisors of Elections.

(f) He shall prepare, examine, and approve as to form
all the contracts, specifications, deeds, and other legal
papers of the city.

(g) He shall perform such other duties as this charter,
the mayor, or the board of aldermen may require.

(H) THE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN SHALL HAVE
THE AUTHORITY TO APPOINT SPECIAL COUNSEL
TO ASSIST THE CITY ATTORNEY WHENEVER
DEEMED DESIRABLE.

ARTICLE IX

PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION
MERIT BASIS OF APPOINTMENT

125. Appointments and promotions in the administra-
tive service of the City of Frederick shall be made accord-
ing to merit and fitness. When deemed advisable by the
mayor and the board of aldermen, a formal personnel ad-
ministration system may be established. At that time Sec-
tions 126 through 136 of this charter shall become effec-
tive.

PERSONNEL OFFICER

126. To carry out the purpose stated in Section 125
there shall be a personnel officer. The personnel officer
shall be appointed by the mayor with the advice and con-
sent of the board of aldermen and shall serve at the
pleasure of the mayor. He shall have had training and