N.Y. Second Class Cities Law § 204: Certification and approval of contracts and conveyances

§ 204. Certification and approval of contracts and conveyances. No

written contract providing for the payment of two hundred dollars or

more, entered into by the city or any of its officers, boards or

departments, shall become effective or be acted under until there shall

be indorsed thereon by the corporation counsel or an assistant, a

certificate to the effect that the city officer, board or department

which has executed the same on behalf of the city, had authority and

power to make such contract, and that such contract is in proper form

and properly executed; he shall approve all deeds, conveyances, leases

and abstracts of title affecting property acquired, conveyed to or

leased by the city; and he shall attend to all the law business of the

city and discharge such other duties as may be prescribed by law or

ordinance of the common council.