The city council shall appoint a city attorney who shall be the legal representative of the city and shall advise the council and city officials in matters relating to their official powers and duties. The city attorney shall be an attorney at law admitted to practice in Colorado, and have a minimum of five (5) years' experience in the active practice of law. The council may provide the city attorney with such assistants as council may deem necessary. Council shall establish compensation for the city attorney, his assistants and special counsel.